PCA9615DPZ - 2-Ch I2C Fast-Mode Plus Diff Buffer | NXP
MPN: PCA9615DPZ ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.94 | $2.94 |
| 10 | $2.65 | $26.50 |
| 100 | $2.36 | $236.00 |
| 500 | $2.07 | $1,035.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.78 | $1,780.00 |
PCA9615DPZ Overview
A signal buffer, repeater, or redriver is an active interface IC placed in-line on a bus to restore signal integrity when the load capacitance or physical distance exceeds the limit of the bus specification. In the I2C hierarchy, this part is a specialized bus extender/repeater that converts a single-ended SDA/SCL pair into a differential pair for transmission over twisted-pair or shielded cable, then converts back at the far end. This is essential in industrial control, automotive sensor backbones, and large backplane systems where standard I2C's capacitive limit (~400 pF) is insufficient.
Key features of the PCA9615DPZ include differential transmission across a cable up to 3 meters at Fast-mode Plus speeds, hot-swap logic that allows the card to be inserted into a live backplane without disturbing the bus, wide supply range (2.7 V to 5.5 V on VDD(A) and 3.0 V to 5.5 V on VDD(B)), and AEC-Q100 qualification for automotive applications. The hot-swap circuitry prevents inrush current and bus glitches during card insertion. The differential pair uses low-voltage signaling to reduce EMI compared to single-ended transmission.
Typical applications include industrial I2C backplane extension, automotive sensor networks, hot-swappable I/O cards, multi-drop I2C sensor clusters, and remote sensor/PCI configuration. The device is particularly valuable where cables must span meters between cards, sensors, or backplane slots, and where live insertion is needed without disrupting the system bus.
When designing with this part, ensure both VDD rails are decoupled with 100 nF ceramic capacitors placed within 5 mm of the supply pins. Verify the differential pair routing on the cable side is twisted-pair or shielded to meet EMI requirements; the part itself does not include cable termination resistors, so external 100 ohm differential termination may be required at the far end for very long runs.
Drop-in alternatives for PCA9615DPZ — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with PCA9615DPZ (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Function, Package, Number of Channels, Bus Type, Hot-Swap Logic.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PCA9617ADPJ
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PCA9614DPZ
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PCA9615DP
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
P82B96DPZ
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PCA9615DPZ Specifications
| Function | Buffer, ReDriver (2-channel) |
| Protocol | I2C, SMBus |
| Number of Channels | 2 (SDA + SCL) |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 1 MHz (Fast-mode Plus) |
| Single-ended Bus Capacitance | 540 pF |
| Differential Cable Length (Max) | 3 m (at 1 MHz, lower capacitance at lower frequency) |
| VDD(A) Supply Range | 2.7 V to 5.5 V |
| VDD(B) Supply Range | 3.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Hot-Swap Logic | Yes (live insertion supported) |
| Bus Type | Multipoint differential I2C |
| DCEN Pin | Yes (driver enable) |
| Package | TSSOP-10 (SOT552-1) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C |
| Automotive Qualification | AEC-Q100 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PCA9615DPZ Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD(A) — Supply for single-ended I2C side A (2.7 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 2 | SDA(A) — Single-ended I2C data, side A |
| Pin 3 | SCL(A) — Single-ended I2C clock, side A |
| Pin 4 | GND(A) — Ground reference for side A |
| Pin 5 | DCEN — Differential driver enable (active high) |
| Pin 6 | GND(B) — Ground reference for side B |
| Pin 7 | SDA(B) — Differential I2C data, side B |
| Pin 8 | SCL(B) — Differential I2C clock, side B |
| Pin 9 | VDD(B) — Supply for differential I2C side B (3.0 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 10 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
PCA9615DPZ is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial I2C Backplane Extension, Automotive Sensor Networks, Hot-Swappable I/O Cards, Multi-Drop Sensor Clusters, Remote Sensor/Module Configuration, Industrial Test and Measurement Equipment.
Industrial I2C Backplane Extension
The PCA9615DPZ's 2-channel differential I2C buffering enables reliable communication across multi-meter backplane distances in industrial control systems. With Fast-mode Plus support to 1 MHz and 3 m cable reach, it bridges PLC cards, sensor modules, and remote I/O across factory floors. The hot-swap logic supports live card insertion into powered backplanes without bus disruption - critical for 24/7 industrial automation where down-time is unacceptable. Typical implementation places one PCA9615DPZ on each card edge, converting single-ended I2C to a differential twisted-pair backbone that daisy-chains through the rack.
Recommended
Automotive Sensor Networks
The PCA9615DPZ's AEC-Q100 qualification and differential transmission make it ideal for in-vehicle sensor networks where ground potential differences and EMI noise degrade single-ended I2C. Connecting body-control modules, climate sensors, and lighting controllers across the chassis, the device rejects common-mode noise from ignition systems and motor drives. The differential pair supports 3 m cable runs that span wheel-to-wheel distances, while Fast-mode Plus 1 MHz bandwidth accommodates real-time sensor polling. Hot-swap logic protects the bus during module replacement at the dealer or in the field.
Recommended
Hot-Swappable I/O Cards
Live insertion of I/O cards into powered backplanes is the defining use case for the PCA9615DPZ. The hot-swap logic pre-charges the bus pins during card insertion, eliminating the inrush transients that would otherwise glitch the I2C bus and disrupt other cards sharing the same segment. Combined with differential transmission, the device supports field-replaceable sensor cards, modular industrial PCs, and telecom line cards that operators swap without powering down the host system. Designers pair the part with card-edge connectors and a staggered pin-length scheme for full hot-swap compliance.
Recommended
Multi-Drop Sensor Clusters
The PCA9615DPZ's multipoint differential bus support enables star and daisy-chain sensor networks with multiple drop points along the cable. Each drop can host additional I2C sensors, expanding the addressable sensor count beyond the 400 pF single-ended limit of standard I2C. The differential driver provides 1 MHz Fast-mode Plus bandwidth even with the additional cable capacitance, making it suitable for distributed sensor arrays in process control, building automation, and IoT edge nodes where many sensors share a common bus backbone.
Recommended
Remote Sensor/Module Configuration
Configuration EEPROMs and management interfaces on remote modules can be accessed over meter-scale cable runs via the PCA9615DPZ. The differential I2C link connects a baseboard management controller (BMC) or microcontroller to remote cards for inventory reads, firmware updates, and diagnostic polling. The TSSOP-10 footprint allows easy placement on the remote card edge, and Fast-mode Plus 1 MHz reduces configuration time across large systems. Hot-swap support also allows technicians to swap modules without shutting down the host.
Recommended
Industrial Test and Measurement Equipment
Test racks that hold interchangeable DUT (device under test) cards benefit from the PCA9615DPZ's differential I2C extension and hot-swap logic. The differential pair allows test fixture cables to span instrument-to-fixture distances without ground loops degrading measurement accuracy, while Fast-mode Plus 1 MHz bandwidth supports real-time DUT configuration and readout. Hot-swap capability enables operators to swap DUT cards between tests without instrument downtime. The AEC-Q100 grade also qualifies the device for harsh industrial test environments with temperature swings and vibration.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PCA9615DPZ — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PCA9617ADPJ | PCA9614DPZ | PCA9615DP | P82B96DPZ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | TSSOP-10 (SOT552-1) | TSSOP-10 (SOT552-1) - verify pin mapping | TSSOP-10 (SOT552-1) - same | TSSOP-10 (SOT552-1) - same | TSSOP-10 (SOT552-1) - same |
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Max Frequency | 1 MHz (Fast-mode Plus) | 1 MHz | 1 MHz | 1 MHz | 400 kHz |
| Bus Topology | Differential (multipoint) | Differential | Differential | Differential | Single-ended |
| Hot-Swap Logic | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Max Cable Length | 3 m at 1 MHz | 3 m at 1 MHz | 3 m at 1 MHz | 3 m at 1 MHz | ~20-30 cm (no cable extension) |
| Number of Channels | 2 (SDA + SCL) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Automotive Grade | AEC-Q100 | AEC-Q100 | AEC-Q100 | AEC-Q100 | AEC-Q100 |
Key Differentiators
- Differential multipoint bus topology with hot-swap logic (vs P82B96DPZ)
- Hot-swap logic for live insertion (vs PCA9614DPZ)
- TSSOP-10 package with automotive AEC-Q100 qualification (vs PCA9617ADPJ)
Design Notes
Both VDD(A) and VDD(B) rails must be decoupled locally with 100 nF ceramic capacitors placed within 5 mm of the supply pins. The PCA9615's dual-supply architecture means side A and side B may be powered from different voltage domains (for example 3.3 V microcontroller side and 5 V cable side) - this level-shifting capability is one of its advantages. Source: NXP PCA9615 datasheet Rev. 2 section on application information.
The DCEN (driver enable) pin must be driven high to activate the cable-side differential driver. If left floating, the differential side will be tri-stated and no bus extension will occur. For hot-swap applications, ensure card-edge connector pin lengths provide ground first, then VDD, then signals, then DCEN - this staggered sequence is critical for proper hot-swap behavior. Verify with the connector manufacturer that staggered pins are available for the chosen connector family.
On the cable (differential) side, route SDA(B) and SCL(B) as a 100 ohm differential twisted pair with characteristic impedance matched to 100 ohm. Use shielded cable (Cat5e or equivalent) for EMI-sensitive environments. The cable-side signals are low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS-like), not single-ended, so termination at the far-end receiver should be 100 ohm differential if the cable exceeds 1 meter.
The PCA9615DPZ TSSOP-10 package has a typical thermal resistance theta-JA around 100-150 C/W on a standard JEDEC test board. Power dissipation is minimal (under 50 mW at 1 MHz with both channels active), so thermal management is rarely a concern in typical I2C buffer designs. No heatsink or special copper pour is required for normal operation in commercial or industrial environments.
Compliance Information
AEC-Q100 qualified per NXP product page. RoHS and REACH compliant. Lead-free and halogen-free per NXP datasheet section on ordering information. Conflict-minerals declaration available from NXP.
