I2C multiplexed EEPROMs aim for notebooks

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Jun 28, 2002

Philips has released a family of multiplexed EEPROMs for I2C/SMBus applications.

Philips has released a family of multiplexed EEPROMs for I2C/SMBus applications.

This innovative family of semiconductor devices (the PCA9558, PCA9560 and PCA9561) is ideally suited for applications in notebook computers, server, telecom and networking applications.

In notebook computers, these devices are designed to allow easy use of the SMBus to optimise the notebook computer processor voltage (VID) configuration for different power sources where there is a requirement for different processor voltage settings.

In server, telecom and networking applications these devices replace DIP switches or jumpers because the device output settings can be simply changed via the I2C bus without having to power down the equipment or open the cabinet.

As a member of the I2C multiplexed EEPROM family, the PCA9558 device is a highly integrated, multifunction device that is composed of a 5bit-multiplexed/1bit-latched 6bit I2C/SMBus EEPROM; an 8bit I/O expander and a 2Kbit serial EEPROM with write protect.

The PCA9558 integrates these commonly used components into a single chip to reduce component count and board space requirements.

The PCA9560 device is a dual 5bit-multiplexed/1bit-latched 6bit I2C/SMBus EEPROM with two sets of internal nonvolatile 6bit EEPROMs.

It is used for applications that require three settings, for example the AC, battery and deep sleep modes in notebook computers.

The PCA9561 device integrates four 6bit nonvolatile registers instead of the two found on the PCA9560.

The multiplexer allows five different sets of 6bit values (four internal 6bit registers and one group of six external hardware pins) to be preset and selected without having to send lengthy commands via the I2C bus.