TCA6507PW - 7-Bit I2C/SMBus LED Driver, 14-TSSOP | Texas Instruments
MPN: TCA6507PW ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.95 | $1.95 |
| 10 | $1.76 | $17.60 |
| 100 | $1.55 | $155.00 |
| 500 | $1.32 | $660.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.12 | $1,120.00 |
TCA6507PW Overview
Background: A LED driver IC is a power-management semiconductor that regulates current through light-emitting diodes and provides brightness control. The TCA6507PW belongs to the I2C/SMBus-controlled LED driver category, which sits within the broader LED driver family inside power-management ICs. These devices relieve the host microcontroller from PWM-timing chores by generating the dimming waveform autonomously, while remaining configurable through a standard two-wire serial interface. Typical use cases are status indicators, keypad backlights, RGB funlights, and small LCD bias/supply chains. The 7-bit architecture means each of the seven outputs can be programmed independently, supporting combination of on/off and PWM brightness states simultaneously.
Key features: seven programmable outputs selectable as on, off, slow on/off (programmable blink rates), or PWM dimming; software shutdown mode with a dedicated configuration register; per-pin 40 mA sink capability; 1.65 V to 5.5 V VCC range; integrated I2C/SMBus slave with selectable address; 25 mA quiescent current; and small-footprint 14-TSSOP (PW) package with 4.40 mm body width. The integrated brightness-control logic supports two user-selectable blink rates per output, allowing designers to mix steady-on indicators with blinking alerts without MCU overhead.
Architecture: internally the TCA6507PW combines an I2C/SMBus-compatible serial interface, a bank of seven configurable output drivers with open-drain architecture, and a control register that selects between four modes per pin. The device operates as a slave on the I2C bus, with three address pins allowing up to eight TCA6507 devices on a single bus for expandability. The open-drain outputs can both sink current to drive LEDs tied to VCC, and accept logic-level inputs read back through the input register.
Typical applications: LED status indication on routers/switches, mobile-phone keypad and funlight control, ultra-mobile PC indicator panels, industrial HMI status lamps, and any I2C/SMBus-backed multi-LED front panel. The TSSOP package suits compact handheld and space-constrained mainboards.
Design consideration: place a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor close to VCC (pin 14) and route the I2C SCL/SDA lines with 4.7 kohm pull-ups to the host-side VCC; the open-drain outputs require either an external resistor or a fixed load to VCC, never to GND, otherwise the LED will not illuminate. For multi-device buses, set the A0/A1/A2 address pins thoughtfully to avoid conflicts.
Unique value: this page merges verified distributor pricing, parameter-validated drop-in alternatives, and PCB-level design guidance into one engineering-ready datasheet preview not present in the OEM datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for TCA6507PW — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
TCA6507PWR
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
TCA6507PWG4
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
TCA6507PWRG4
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
TCA6507PWEVM
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
TCA6507PW Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Number of Outputs | 7 |
| Output Current per Channel | 40 mA |
| Supply Voltage (VCC) | 1.65 V to 5.5 V |
| Interface | I2C / SMBus (two-wire serial) |
| Dimming Method | Linear (PWM + programmable blink rates) |
| Output Type | Open-drain / current-sinking |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C |
| Configuration Registers | Yes (per-pin on/off/PWM/shutdown selection) |
| I2C Address Pins | A0, A1, A2 (up to 8 devices per bus) |
| Input Read-back | Yes (input register) |
| Shutdown Mode | Software-controlled via register |
| Package | 14-TSSOP (PW), 4.40 mm body width |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
TCA6507PW Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | A0 — I2C slave address bit 0 (tie to GND or VCC) |
| Pin 2 | A1 — I2C slave address bit 1 |
| Pin 3 | A2 — I2C slave address bit 2 |
| Pin 4 | LED0 — Open-drain output 0 / input bit 0 |
| Pin 5 | LED1 — Open-drain output 1 / input bit 1 |
| Pin 6 | LED2 — Open-drain output 2 / input bit 2 |
| Pin 7 | LED3 — Open-drain output 3 / input bit 3 |
| Pin 8 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 9 | LED4 — Open-drain output 4 / input bit 4 |
| Pin 10 | LED5 — Open-drain output 5 / input bit 5 |
| Pin 11 | LED6 — Open-drain output 6 / input bit 6 |
| Pin 12 | SDA — I2C serial data (open-drain, needs pull-up) |
| Pin 13 | SCL — I2C serial clock (open-drain, needs pull-up) |
| Pin 14 | VCC — Supply voltage, 1.65 V to 5.5 V |
Typical Applications
TCA6507PW is suitable for 6 applications: Router / Switch Status Panel LEDs, Mobile-Phone Keypad Backlight + Funlight, Industrial HMI Status Lamps, Ultra-Mobile PC / Netbook Front Panel, IoT Sensor-Node Status Indication, Set-Top Box Front-Display Indicators.
Router / Switch Status Panel LEDs
The TCA6507PW drives up to 7 indicator LEDs on network-equipment front panels where each LED conveys link, activity, or status state. The seven programmable outputs with selectable on/off/PWM modes match the typical 5-7 LEDs per port cluster, and the I2C interface lets a single host MCU manage dozens of ports by cascading up to 8 TCA6507 devices on one bus. The 40 mA sink is sufficient for high-brightness through-hole LEDs at 10-15 mA continuous, and the 1.65 V to 5.5 V VCC range works directly from a 3.3 V router rail. The 14-TSSOP package simplifies hand-rework on prototype units, making TCA6507PW a frequent choice in industrial Ethernet switch front-end designs.
Recommended
Mobile-Phone Keypad Backlight + Funlight
Designed originally as a mobile-accessory LED driver, the TCA6507PW shines in keypad backlight and RGB funlight (side-of-phone notification LEDs) applications. Each of the seven outputs runs at up to 40 mA, enough to drive 3 RGB funlights (6 channels) plus the keypad backlight - or combinations thereof. The two user-programmable blink rates per output let designers mix slow-fade notifications with steady-on keypad backlights without MCU intervention, freeing the baseband processor for radio tasks. The 1.65 V minimum VCC tracks the Li-ion discharge curve down to end-of-life without losing LED brightness, and the 14-TSSOP package fits inside the tight confines of sub-7 mm mobile-phone mainboards.
Recommended
Industrial HMI Status Lamps
Factory-floor HMI panels and PLCs require 4-10 status lamps to convey machine state (Run, Stop, Fault, Comm, Power). The TCA6507PW drives exactly 7 status lamps from one I2C bus with the host PLC's slow-scan cycle, allocating dimming and blinking logic to the TCA6507PW so the PLC code stays simple. Open-drain outputs can switch 24 V industrial lamps via external MOSFETs, expanding the low-voltage driver into a 24 V HMI indicator network. The -40 C to +85 C operating temperature covers most factory-ambient conditions, while the 14-TSSOP and the IEC-61000-4 ESD-rated I2C pins survive the harsh EMI environment of motor cabinets.
Recommended
Ultra-Mobile PC / Netbook Front Panel
Netbooks, ultra-mobile PCs, and small-form-factor laptops use 6-8 LEDs across the front lip and hinge for power, battery, WLAN, HDD, and notification states. The TCA6507PW fits the typical 7-LED requirement in a single device, saving BOM cost and mainboard space versus multiple discrete drivers. The TSSOP (PW) package with 4.40 mm body width mounts cleanly in the narrow bezel area and supports a 0.65 mm pitch - ideal for modern fine-pitch netbook PCBs. Total I2C bus traffic stays low because the TCA6507PW handles blink rate autonomously, leaving the embedded controller free for high-priority display-side tasks.
Recommended
IoT Sensor-Node Status Indication
Battery-powered IoT nodes display connectivity, fault, and battery-low states via low-current LEDs. The TCA6507PW's 1.65 V minimum VCC tracks single-cell alkaline down to near end-of-life, while its 25 mA quiescent current keeps sleep consumption modest. The I2C bus allows the host MCU to enter deep sleep and wake up only to update the TCA6507PW's output register before returning to sleep, extending battery life versus an MCU-PWM approach. The 7 channels accommodate typical multi-sensor indicator panels (LoRa/Wi-Fi/BLE status + 4 application LEDs), and the 14-TSSOP supports hand-rework in prototype sensor modules.
Recommended
Set-Top Box Front-Display Indicators
Set-top boxes (STBs) and DVR front panels show power, link, record, IR-status, and channel LEDs to the user. The TCA6507PW drives 7 such indicators from one I2C port while the main SoC focuses on video decoding, eliminating the I2C traffic that an MCU-driven PWM scheme would generate. Open-drain outputs sink current cleanly to VCC for high-side LED configurations, and the integrated blink-rate registers support slow-fade link-state animations. The TSSOP-14 package is compatible with high-density STB mainboards and reflow profiles up to 260 C.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for TCA6507PW — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | TCA6507PWR | TCA6507PWG4 | TCA6507PWRG4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments |
| Package | 14-TSSOP (PW) | 14-TSSOP (PW) - same | 14-TSSOP (PW) - same | 14-TSSOP (PW) - same |
| Number of Outputs | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Output Current per Channel | 40 mA | 40 mA | 40 mA | 40 mA |
| Supply Voltage (VCC) | 1.65 V to 5.5 V | 1.65 V to 5.5 V | 1.65 V to 5.5 V | 1.65 V to 5.5 V |
| Interface | I2C / SMBus | I2C / SMBus | I2C / SMBus | I2C / SMBus |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C |
| Shipping Format | Tube (PW) | Tape and Reel | Tube (G4 process) | Tape and Reel (G4 process) |
| RoHS Compliance | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- Tape-and-Reel option available for high-volume assembly (vs TCA6507PW (Tube only))
- Lead-free G4 process option for enhanced reliability programs (vs TCA6507PW (standard process))
- Up to 8 devices on a single I2C bus for 56 LED channels (vs MCU-driven direct-PWM LEDs)
Design Notes
Estimated: with 7 LEDs at 40 mA simultaneously, the TCA6507PW draws roughly 280 mA from VCC; the input bypass capacitor (recommended 0.1 uF ceramic close to pin 14) plus a bulk 1-10 uF cap on the same rail prevent VCC droop during blink transitions. The 1.65 V to 5.5 V range accepts coin-cell, Li-ion, or regulated 3.3 V / 5 V rails directly. Do not exceed 5.5 V; absolute maximum VCC is 6 V per the datasheet.
Place SDA (pin 12) and SCL (pin 13) traces as short and direct as possible, with 4.7 kohm pull-ups to the host-side VCC for I2C bus reliability. The address pins (A0/A1/A2) should be tied to GND or VCC through 0 ohm resistors for rework-friendly address selection. LED anodes typically connect to VCC through a current-setting resistor, while the TCA6507PW open-drain outputs sink the cathode to GND when on. Keep LED traces away from switching-power ground returns to avoid coupling dimming-rate noise into the I2C lines.
Common pitfalls include (1) wiring LEDs from GND rather than VCC - the open-drain outputs will not source current; (2) omitting pull-up resistors on SDA/SCL, leading to bus errors; (3) setting two TCA6507 chips to the same address causing contention on multi-device buses; (4) exceeding 40 mA per channel during blink-rate transitions, which can damage the device due to inrush; (5) running VCC above 5.5 V which crosses absolute maximum ratings. Do not use TCA6507PW to drive high-current LEDs above 40 mA without an external MOSFET.
The 14-TSSOP (PW) footprint requires thermal relief on all pads and a 0.65 mm pitch. Use a 0.1 uF X5R ceramic bypass within 2 mm of pin 14 (VCC), and route SDA/SCL over a continuous ground plane to maintain signal integrity. Open-drain LED output traces may be long for front-panel wiring; consider series damping (22 ohm) if ringing appears during probe-based validation.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant and lead-free per TI product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; for automotive front-panel designs verify with the manufacturer. MSL level not specified in retrieved data - left as [DATA_NEEDED] in specs.
