I2C Bus Buffers Provide High Noise Margins

The LTC4313 and LTC4315 high noise margin buffers that provide capacitance buffering and bus extension to I²C/SMBus/PMBus systems.  They deliver a guaranteed minimum VIL of 0.3 VCC. allowing them to operate with noncompliant I²C devices that drive a high logic low output voltage. The devices provide automatic level translation from low voltage systems down to 1.4V to higher voltage systems up to 5.5V.  The LTC4315 has a second supply pin, allowing use of separate input and output bus pull-up supplies. Rise time accelerators provide pull-up currents during bus rising edges that reduce rise times. Available in commercial and industrial temperature grades, pricing starts at $2.40 each/1,000. LINEAR TECHNOLOGY CORP., Milpitas, CA. (800) 454-6327.