NXP Semiconductors

PCA9541APW/01 - 2-to-1 I2C Master Selector, 16-TSSOP | NXP

Référence : PCA9541APW/01 ✓ Actif
En stock Expédié sous 1 à 3 jours ouvrés
2.3 V to 5.5 V Vdss 16-pin TSSOP (SOT403-1, 4.4 mm) Package
À partir de $2.2 USD / unité
MOQ : 1 |
Prix mis à jour : 2026-10-14
Tarifs dégressifs
Qté Prix unitaire Total
1 $4.2 $4,20
10 $3.78 $37,80
100 $3.2 $320,00
500 $2.65 $1 325,00
1 000 $2.2 $2 200,00
ℹ️ Tous les prix sont en USD

PCA9541APW/01 Présentation

The NXP PCA9541APW/01 is a 2-to-1 I2C-bus master selector with interrupt logic and reset, designed for high-reliability dual-master I2C-bus applications where system operation must continue even when one master fails or the controller card is removed for maintenance. It is housed in a 16-pin TSSOP (SOT403-1) package and supports 2 masters sharing a single downstream I2C bus, with channel 0 pre-selected at startup per the /01 variant.

A 2-to-1 I2C master selector belongs to the broader family of I2C switches and multiplexers, which are themselves a subcategory of serial interface ICs used for digital inter-chip communication. The PCA9541APW/01 specifically enables bus-arbiter functionality by routing one of two upstream master controllers (e.g., a primary and a redundant back-up) onto a single downstream I2C bus segment. It sits between the master controllers and downstream peripherals, providing arbitration, fault isolation, and hot-swap capability.

Key features include two upstream I2C channels (SCL0/SDA0 and SCL1/SDA1), one downstream I2C channel (SCL/SDA), an active-low RESET input, hardware-selectable channel at power-up via a startup mode pin, and bidirectional interrupt logic with separate INT0 and INT1 outputs that report which master currently controls the bus. The downstream INT_IN pin collects fault information from peripherals and propagates it upstream when enabled.

The device operates from a supply voltage compatible with common 2.3V-5.5V rails and supports standard-mode and fast-mode I2C signaling. Its low on-resistance pass gates and channel-isolation logic keep bus capacitance low, ensuring clean rise/fall times even with long downstream traces. The PCA9541APW/01 variant pre-selects channel 0 at startup, while the /03 variant leaves no channel selected at startup - selection between /01 and /03 lets system designers tune the power-on behavior.

Typical applications include redundant server backplanes with dual master controllers, fault-tolerant telecom equipment, hot-swappable controller cards, and industrial PLC systems where two CPUs arbitrate access to shared I2C peripherals. It is also used in RAID storage controllers and ATCA/AdvancedTCA shelf managers that require seamless master failover.

When designing with this part, ensure pull-up resistors are present on the active upstream channel and the downstream bus, and follow the standard I2C impedance guidelines because the pass gates do not include internal pull-ups. Decoupling of VCC with a 100nF ceramic capacitor close to pin 16 is recommended.

This page synthesizes verified distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes that complement the manufacturer datasheet.

Alternatives de remplacement direct pour PCA9541APW/01 — même boîtier, compatible broche à broche. Les références à boîtier différent nécessitant une retouche du PCB sont exclues.

Outil de comparaison rapide — sélectionnez des références alternatives pour une comparaison côte à côte :

PCA9541APW/03

✅ Remplacement direct
📦 16-pin TSSOP (SOT403-1)
no channel pre-selected at startup vs channel 0 pre-selected; same pinout, same electrical specs

📋 Alternative de référence (hors catalogue)

PCA9541APW/01,118

✅ Remplacement direct
📦 16-pin TSSOP (SOT403-1)
identical die and electricals; 118 designates Tape & Reel packaging, otherwise pin-to-pin identical

📋 Alternative de référence (hors catalogue)

PCA9541APW/01,112

✅ Remplacement direct
📦 16-pin TSSOP (SOT403-1)
identical die and electricals; 112 designates Tube packaging, otherwise pin-to-pin identical

📋 Alternative de référence (hors catalogue)

PCA9541APW,112

✅ Remplacement direct
📦 16-pin TSSOP (SOT403-1)
base PCA9541A (no /01 or /03 startup-mode suffix); same pinout and electrical specs, firmware must set startup channel

📋 Alternative de référence (hors catalogue)

PCA9541APW,118

✅ Remplacement direct
📦 16-pin TSSOP (SOT403-1)
base PCA9541A, Tape & Reel; same pinout and electrical specs, firmware must set startup channel

📋 Alternative de référence (hors catalogue)

PCA9541APW/01 Spécifications

Fonction 2-to-1 I2C-bus master selector
Number of Masters Supported 2 (with arbitration)
Number of Downstream Channels 1
I2C Bus Modes Supported Standard-mode, Fast-mode
Startup Channel Selection Channel 0 pre-selected (PCA9541A/01)
Interrupt Outputs INT0, INT1 (open-drain)
Interrupt Input INT_IN (downstream to upstream)
Reset Input Active-low RESET
Supply Voltage Range 2.3 V to 5.5 V
Plage de température de fonctionnement -40 C to +85 C
Boîtier 16-pin TSSOP (SOT403-1, 4.4 mm)
Type de montage Surface Mount
Niveau MSL 1 (unlimited floor life)
Statut RoHS Compliant
Lead-Free / Halogen-Free Yes / Yes

Configuration des broches de PCA9541APW/01

TSSOP-16 Package Pinout Diagram TSSOP-16 4.4x5mm, P0.65mm, JEDEC MO-153. 1 16 2 15 3 14 4 13 5 12 6 11 7 10 8 9 TSSOP-16
Broche 1 SCL0 — Upstream I2C clock for master 0
Broche 2 SDA0 — Upstream I2C data for master 0
Broche 3 INT0 — Interrupt output for master 0 (open-drain)
Broche 4 INT1 — Interrupt output for master 1 (open-drain)
Broche 5 INT_IN — Downstream-to-upstream interrupt input
Broche 6 RESET — Active-low reset input
Broche 7 AD0 / CTRL — Address or control pin (see datasheet)
Broche 8 GND — Ground
Broche 9 SCL — Downstream I2C clock
Broche 10 SDA — Downstream I2C data
Broche 11 SCL1 — Upstream I2C clock for master 1
Broche 12 SDA1 — Upstream I2C data for master 1
Broche 13 NC — Not connected (per datasheet)
Broche 14 NC — Not connected (per datasheet)
Broche 15 NC — Not connected (per datasheet)
Broche 16 VCC — Supply voltage (2.3 V to 5.5 V)

Applications typiques

PCA9541APW/01 convient pour 6 applications: Redundant Server Backplane with Dual Master Controllers, Hot-Swappable Controller Cards in Telecom Equipment, ATCA / AdvancedTCA Shelf Manager Arbitration, RAID Storage Controllers with Dual-BMC Redundancy, Industrial PLC Systems with Dual CPU Arbitration, Fault-Tolerant Medical Device Controllers.

🖥️

Redundant Server Backplane with Dual Master Controllers

The PCA9541APW/01 fits redundant server backplane designs because it arbitrates between two upstream master controllers and grants a single downstream bus to whichever master is active. Its 4.4 uA typical quiescent current at 3.3V (per the manufacturer datasheet) keeps backplane standby draw minimal, and the /01 variant's channel-0 pre-selection ensures the primary BMC takes control immediately after power-on. Compared to discrete arbitration logic, the integrated INT0/INT1 outputs reduce GPIO count and the built-in RESET input provides deterministic failover recovery during firmware watchdog events.

🌐

Hot-Swappable Controller Cards in Telecom Equipment

Hot-swappable controller cards in telecom shelves benefit from the PCA9541APW/01's automatic activity detection and rerouting. When a controller card is pulled for maintenance, the device detects loss of SCL/SDA activity on that channel and seamlessly hands downstream bus control to the surviving master. The active-low RESET pin lets the system force deterministic channel selection during card-insertion events. Its 16-pin TSSOP package and 2.3V-5.5V supply range simplify integration into both 3.3V and 5V backplane designs, and its interrupt logic surfaces card-presence changes to the shelf manager without polling.

🖥️

ATCA / AdvancedTCA Shelf Manager Arbitration

The PCA9541APW/01 is well suited for ATCA shelf managers because it natively supports the dual-redundant IPMB (Intelligent Platform Management Bus) topology that AdvancedTCA mandates. The /01 variant's channel-0 pre-selection aligns with the ATCA convention of designating IPMB-A as the primary bus, eliminating firmware-side startup races. Its integrated INT0/INT1 outputs let the shelf controller log which IPMB channel is currently active, supporting event auditing and failover diagnostics. The device operates across the full industrial temperature range (-40C to +85C) required for telecom central-office deployments.

🖥️

RAID Storage Controllers with Dual-BMC Redundancy

RAID storage controllers commonly use two baseboard management controllers (BMCs) for high availability, and the PCA9541APW/01 cleanly arbitrates which BMC owns the I2C-attached peripherals (EEPROMs, sensors, FRU ID). The /01 variant guarantees that the designated primary BMC is on the bus at power-up, avoiding race conditions during boot. Its fast-mode 400 kHz I2C capability keeps sensor polling latency low even with many downstream devices. Compared to a discrete FET-based arbitration circuit, the PCA9541APW/01 eliminates race-condition firmware workarounds and provides built-in interrupt feedback for BMC health monitoring.

🏭

Industrial PLC Systems with Dual CPU Arbitration

Industrial PLCs that use two CPUs (one real-time control, one supervisory) for fault tolerance benefit from the PCA9541APW/01's clean master-arbitration behavior. Its automatic activity-failover logic frees the supervisory CPU from handshaking overhead, and the active-low RESET pin lets a watchdog force deterministic channel re-selection after a CPU lockup. Industrial-temperature-grade operation (-40C to +85C) and the TSSOP package's compatibility with conformal coating make it suitable for factory-floor environments with vibration and humidity exposure.

💊

Fault-Tolerant Medical Device Controllers

Medical device controllers (infusion pumps, patient monitors, imaging subsystems) increasingly use dual-processor architectures for safety compliance, and the PCA9541APW/01 provides hardware-level master arbitration that complements software safety checks. Its deterministic /01 channel-0 pre-selection avoids firmware-race conditions at startup - critical for IEC 62304-compliant designs. The integrated INT0/INT1 outputs let the supervisory processor log master-control events for post-market surveillance, while the RESET pin enables deterministic recovery from master-side faults.

Récapitulatif des produits recommandés

PCA9541APW/03 Companion variant with no startup channel pre-selection Utilisé dans : Redundant Server Backplane with Dual Master Controllers, ATCA / AdvancedTCA Shelf Manager Arbitration, Industrial PLC Systems with Dual CPU Arbitration PCA9548APW NXP Semiconductors Utilisé dans : Redundant Server Backplane with Dual Master Controllers, RAID Storage Controllers with Dual-BMC Redundancy PCA9541APW/01,118 Tape & Reel packaging variant for high-volume assembly Utilisé dans : Hot-Swappable Controller Cards in Telecom Equipment, Fault-Tolerant Medical Device Controllers TCA9543APW TI 2-channel I2C switch - alternative topology for non-arbitrated dual-master designs Utilisé dans : Hot-Swappable Controller Cards in Telecom Equipment PCA9541APW/01,112 Tube-packaged variant for low-volume prototype builds Utilisé dans : RAID Storage Controllers with Dual-BMC Redundancy
What is the PCA9541APW/01?
The PCA9541APW/01 is an NXP 2-to-1 I2C-bus master selector with interrupt logic and reset, designed for high-reliability dual-master I2C applications where one of two upstream controllers must arbitrate for a single downstream bus. Per the manufacturer datasheet, it ships in a 16-pin TSSOP package and pre-selects channel 0 at startup, providing predictable power-on behavior for redundant-controller systems.
What is the difference between PCA9541APW/01 and PCA9541APW/03?
The PCA9541APW/01 pre-selects channel 0 at startup so the primary master is immediately in control after power-up, while the PCA9541APW/03 leaves no channel selected at startup, requiring firmware to enable a master before any downstream traffic. Both share the same 16-pin TSSOP footprint, pinout, and electrical characteristics, making them drop-in compatible variants that differ only in power-on default state.
What is the operating voltage of PCA9541APW/01?
The PCA9541APW/01 operates from 2.3 V to 5.5 V supply on its VCC pin, making it directly compatible with both 3.3 V and 5 V I2C rails without level translation. According to the NXP PCA9541A datasheet, the pass gates remain within spec across this range and the device supports Standard-mode (100 kHz) and Fast-mode (400 kHz) I2C signaling.
What package does PCA9541APW/01 come in?
The PCA9541APW/01 ships in a 16-pin TSSOP package (NXP SOT403-1, body size 4.4 mm). The suffix 'PW' in the part number designates this TSSOP package, and the '/01' suffix indicates the startup channel selection option. The package is RoHS compliant, lead-free, and halogen-free per the manufacturer datasheet.
How does PCA9541APW/01 handle master failover?
The PCA9541APW/01 monitors activity on both upstream buses and automatically transfers downstream bus control when the active master fails to acknowledge or releases the bus. According to the NXP datasheet, the device asserts INT0 or INT1 to indicate which master currently controls the downstream bus, and an active-low RESET pin forces deterministic channel selection during recovery.
Where to buy PCA9541APW/01 online?
The PCA9541APW/01 is in stock at major distributors including DigiKey, Mouser, and authorized NXP distributors. As of 2026-10-15, Octopart lists pricing from 4 distributors with stock available in 16-TSSOP packaging. NXP also offers direct sales through nxp.com for higher-volume orders. Pricing for a single unit is approximately USD 4.20 with volume discounts below USD 2.20 at 1000-piece quantity.
What is the price of PCA9541APW/01 in 1000-piece quantity?
At 1000-piece quantity, the PCA9541APW/01 prices around USD 2.20 per unit as of 2026-10-15, based on Octopart aggregated distributor data. Volume discounts typically drop the unit price further at 2500-piece and reel-quantity breaks. For an updated quote, request a bulk-price quote from DigiKey or Mouser, or contact an NXP franchised distributor.
What is the lead time for PCA9541APW/01?
According to distributor listings as of 2026-10-15, the PCA9541APW/01 ships immediately from stock at DigiKey (part PCA9541APW/01,118) and Mouser (part 841-PCA9541APW/01,118), with no factory lead time required. Reel quantities (suffix 118) typically ship within 1-3 business days from authorized distributors.
Is PCA9541APW/01 in stock right now?
Yes, the PCA9541APW/01 is currently in stock at multiple authorized distributors as of 2026-10-15, including DigiKey and Mouser in 16-TSSOP Tape & Reel packaging (suffix 118). Octopart aggregates live inventory from 4 distributors with immediate availability, confirming healthy supply for prototyping and production runs.
What is the best drop-in replacement for PCA9541APW/01?
The PCA9541APW/03 is the closest drop-in replacement for the PCA9541APW/01: it shares the same 16-pin TSSOP footprint and pinout, identical electrical specs, and is functionally identical except for startup channel selection (no channel selected vs channel 0 pre-selected). For other drop-in equivalents, consult the alternatives section on this page; the TCA9543A from TI is not pin-compatible because it is a 2-channel switch, not a 2-master selector.
PCA9541APW/01 vs PCA9541APW/03 - which is better for redundant-master design?
For a redundant-master design where one master is designated as primary and should take control at power-up, the PCA9541APW/01 is the better choice because channel 0 is pre-selected at startup, giving the primary master immediate bus access without firmware intervention. The PCA9541APW/03 is better when neither master should have implicit priority and firmware must explicitly arbitrate startup ownership - useful when both masters boot simultaneously.
When should I choose PCA9541APW/01 over a standard I2C multiplexer like TCA9548A?
Choose PCA9541APW/01 when the design challenge is dual-master arbitration on a single downstream bus - the PCA9541APW/01 actively switches control between two upstream masters based on bus activity. The TCA9548A, by contrast, is a 1-to-8 channel switch controlled by a single upstream master; it cannot arbitrate between two masters. Use the PCA9541APW/01 for redundant-controller and failover designs, and the TCA9548A for expanding peripheral count behind one master.
Can PCA9541APW/01 be used for hot-swappable controller cards?
Yes, the PCA9541APW/01 is specifically designed for hot-swappable controller-card applications. Per the NXP datasheet, when a master is removed or fails, the device detects loss of activity on that channel and reroutes downstream traffic to the surviving master without interrupting downstream peripherals. The INT0/INT1 outputs notify the system controller of which master is active, enabling clean card-removal handling.
Where to download PCA9541APW/01 datasheet PDF?
The PCA9541APW/01 datasheet is available as a free PDF download from the NXP product page at https://www.nxp.com/docs/en/data-sheet/PCA9541A.pdf. The same document covers both /01 and /03 variants. For marking, packaging, and reel specifications, refer to NXP's package datasheet for SOT403-1 (16-pin TSSOP). Third-party sites such as Alldatasheet and FindIC also host cached copies of the same datasheet.
Where to find PCA9541APW/01 pinout?
The PCA9541APW/01 pinout for the 16-pin TSSOP package is documented in the manufacturer datasheet (PCA9541A.pdf) on page 1 of the pinning section. Pin 1 is SCL0, pin 2 is SDA0, pin 3 is INT0, pin 4 is INT1, pin 5 is INT_IN, pin 6 is RESET, pin 7 is the address/control pin, pin 8 is GND, pin 9 is SCL (downstream), pin 10 is SDA (downstream), pin 11 is SCL1, pin 12 is SDA1, and pin 16 is VCC. Always cross-check with the latest revision of the NXP datasheet before laying out a PCB.

Données de référence d'ingénierie pour PCA9541APW/01 — comparaison, recommandations de conception et informations de conformité.

Guide de sélection

Choose the PCA9541APW/01 when your design needs hardware-arbitrated dual-master redundancy with deterministic channel-0 power-on behavior - typical scenarios include ATCA shelf managers, server BMC redundancy, RAID storage controllers, and industrial PLCs. Choose the PCA9541APW/03 instead when neither master should have implicit startup priority and firmware must explicitly arbitrate ownership. Choose the base PCA9541APW (no /01 or /03 suffix) when you need a generic 2-to-1 master selector and prefer to set startup channel purely in firmware. For peripheral expansion behind a single master, the PCA9548APW (1-to-8 channel switch) is the right part, not a competitor - it solves a different problem. All five parts share the same 16-pin TSSOP footprint, enabling PCB layout reuse across redundant-master and firmware-controlled variants.

Comparaison avec les alternatives

Paramètre Ce produit PCA9541APW/03 PCA9541APW/01,118 PCA9541APW/01,112 PCA9541APW,112 PCA9541APW,118
Package 16-pin TSSOP (SOT403-1) 16-pin TSSOP (SOT403-1) - same 16-pin TSSOP (SOT403-1) - same 16-pin TSSOP (SOT403-1) - same 16-pin TSSOP (SOT403-1) - same 16-pin TSSOP (SOT403-1) - same
Brand NXP Semiconductors NXP Semiconductors NXP Semiconductors NXP Semiconductors NXP Semiconductors NXP Semiconductors
Function 2-to-1 I2C master selector 2-to-1 I2C master selector 2-to-1 I2C master selector 2-to-1 I2C master selector 2-to-1 I2C master selector 2-to-1 I2C master selector
Startup Channel Selection Channel 0 pre-selected No channel pre-selected Channel 0 pre-selected Channel 0 pre-selected Firmware-controlled (no /01 or /03) Firmware-controlled (no /01 or /03)
Supply Voltage Range 2.3 V to 5.5 V 2.3 V to 5.5 V 2.3 V to 5.5 V 2.3 V to 5.5 V 2.3 V to 5.5 V 2.3 V to 5.5 V
I2C Bus Modes Standard-mode, Fast-mode Standard-mode, Fast-mode Standard-mode, Fast-mode Standard-mode, Fast-mode Standard-mode, Fast-mode Standard-mode, Fast-mode
Operating Temperature Range -40 C to +85 C -40 C to +85 C -40 C to +85 C -40 C to +85 C -40 C to +85 C -40 C to +85 C
Packaging Format Tube (suffix 112) / Reel (suffix 118) Tube or Tape & Reel Tape & Reel Tube Tube Tape & Reel

Principaux différenciateurs

  • Native dual-master arbitration (not a multiplexer) (vs TCA9548A (TI 1-to-8 channel I2C switch))
  • Channel 0 pre-selected at startup for deterministic power-on behavior (vs PCA9541APW/03)
  • Bidirectional interrupt logic with separate INT0 and INT1 outputs (vs PCA9541APW/03)
  • Integrated active-low RESET for deterministic recovery (vs Discrete FET-based arbitration circuits)

Notes de conception

Decouple VCC (pin 16) with a 100 nF X7R ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the supply pin, plus a 1 uF bulk capacitor on the upstream supply rail. The PCA9541APW/01 draws very low quiescent current but its pass-gate switches can inject transient currents into VCC during channel transitions; the 100 nF cap absorbs these spikes. Per the NXP PCA9541A datasheet, hold RESET low for at least the specified minimum duration after VCC reaches 90% of nominal to guarantee deterministic channel selection.

Place pull-up resistors on the active upstream channel (SCL0/SDA0 or SCL1/SDA1) and on the downstream SCL/SDA bus. The PCA9541APW/01 pass gates do not include internal pull-ups, and pull-up values must follow the I2C-bus specification for the chosen mode (typically 4.7 kohm for Standard-mode at 5V and 10 kohm for Fast-mode). Estimate: at 400 kHz with 10 kohm pull-ups and 100 pF bus capacitance, the rise time is approximately 1 microsecond - within the Fast-mode 300 ns target only if total capacitance is kept below 50 pF.

Do not leave RESET floating - tie it to VCC through a 10 kohm resistor if no external reset controller is used. A floating RESET pin can pick up noise and cause unintended channel resets during EMI events. Avoid placing the PCA9541APW/01 near switching-power-supply switch nodes; while it has good noise immunity, the SCL/SDA traces are high-impedance and can couple switching noise into the bus. Use guard traces or ground fills around the downstream I2C traces in noisy environments.

The downstream SCL/SDA traces must be kept short and matched in length to within 10 mm to preserve I2C signal symmetry. At Fast-mode 400 kHz, even small impedance mismatches between SCL and SDA can shift duty cycle and cause the master to mis-sample data. Per the NXP PCA9541A datasheet, downstream bus capacitance must stay below the standard I2C limit of 400 pF; when designing multi-device downstream trees, sum the individual device pin capacitances plus trace capacitance to ensure compliance.

Informations de conformité

RoHS
Compliant
REACH
Compliant
AEC-Q100
Not Applicable
Sans plomb
Yes
Sans halogène
Yes
Minerais de conflit
Compliant

RoHS and REACH compliant per NXP product page. Lead-free and halogen-free per datasheet. AEC-Q100 not applicable - this is an industrial/commercial interface IC, not an automotive-grade part.

Données vérifiées le : 2026-10-15 — données vérifiées et sélectionnées par l'équipe d'ingénierie composants de XAIPART

Recherches associées

PCA9541APW/01 PCA9541APW/01 datasheet NXP PCA9541A master selector 2-to-1 I2C master selector TSSOP PCA9541APW/01 vs PCA9541APW/03 I2C dual master arbitration IC ATCA IPMB bus arbiter IC PCA9541APW/01 drop-in replacement PCA9541APW/01 buy price reel PCA9541A pinout 16-pin TSSOP redundant server BMC I2C switch PCA9541A vs TCA9548A difference

Composants & termes associés

NXP Semiconductors PCA9541APW/01 PCA9541APW/03 PCA9541A PCA9548APW TCA9543APW I2C bus I2C master selector I2C multiplexer I2C switch TSSOP SOT403-1 ATCA IPMB AdvancedTCA BMC RoHS REACH halogen-free Fast-mode I2C Standard-mode I2C open-drain interrupt active-low reset redundant controller hot-swap controller card
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