NXP PCA9698BS,118 — 5 V 40‑bit I2C/SMBus I/O Expander (HVQFN‑56)
The NXP Semiconductors PCA9698BS,118 is a high‑density GPIO expander designed to add up to 40 general‑purpose digital I/Os to a host processor over a simple I2C/SMBus interface. Delivered in a compact 56‑pin HVQFN package and supplied in tape‑and‑reel format, this device streamlines designs that need more pins for LEDs, key matrices, and miscellaneous control lines without growing the main MCU/MPU.
Quick highlights
- Brand/manufacturer: NXP Semiconductors
- Series: PCA9698
- MPN: PCA9698BS,118
- Category: I/O Expander ICs (GPIO expander)
- Interface: I2C, SMBus
- I/O count: 40 quasi‑bidirectional GPIOs
- Supply: 5 V operation (range not specified in datasheet excerpt)
- Package: HVQFN‑56 (BS code), surface‑mount
- Packaging: Tape & Reel (,118 suffix)
- Lifecycle: Active
- RoHS: RoHS Compliant
What is the PCA9698BS,118?
The PCA9698BS,118 is a member of NXP’s PCA9698 family of 5 V I/O expanders. It exposes 40 quasi‑bidirectional digital I/O lines that can be read or driven through a standard I2C/SMBus connection. By moving non‑time‑critical digital signals off the main controller, it lets engineers select smaller MCUs, simplify board routing, and increase system flexibility. The BS package option corresponds to an HVQFN‑56 footprint, and the ,118 ordering suffix indicates tape‑and‑reel packaging suitable for automated assembly.
Where this device fits
- Designs that have run out of native MCU/MPU GPIOs but still need numerous indicators, enables, or sense lines.
- Products that benefit from centralized LED driving and keypad scanning without consuming processor pins.
- Industrial, consumer, and instrumentation systems that require scalable digital I/O blocks connected via a two‑wire I2C/SMBus.
Key specifications and features
The points below are consolidated from the provided part data. Values not listed should be verified in the official datasheet.
- Interface: I2C, SMBus
- Number of I/Os: 40
- I/O behavior: Quasi‑bidirectional general‑purpose digital I/O
- Operating supply: 5 V (exact operating range and current not specified in datasheet excerpt)
- Package: HVQFN‑56 (package code BS), 56 pins
- Mounting type: Surface Mount
- Packaging format: Tape & Reel (,118 suffix)
- Lifecycle status: Active
- Environmental: RoHS Compliant
Items not specified in the provided data and not stated here include I2C speed grades, address options, pin‑level current ratings, ESD levels, and timing parameters. Consult the official datasheet for those details.
Architecture and operation at a glance
- Quasi‑bidirectional GPIOs: Each line can be used as an input or an output under software control, enabling flexible reuse across product variants and late‑stage feature additions.
- I2C/SMBus control: A host controller configures direction and state, and reads back input values across a 2‑wire bus, minimizing pin count and routing complexity.
- Port organization: The 40 GPIOs are grouped into ports for configuration and access efficiency. Refer to the datasheet for the exact register map and port layout (not specified here).
Design and implementation considerations
I2C/SMBus integration
- Bus topology: Place the PCA9698BS,118 physically close to related loads and keep the I2C traces short and well‑routed alongside the host’s SDA/SCL. Use appropriate pull‑up resistors sized for the bus capacitance and target frequency.
- Addressing: Many I/O expanders allow one or more address configuration pins; the number and mapping for this device are not specified in the provided data. Verify address selection in the datasheet to avoid conflicts on shared I2C buses.
- Command model: Plan your firmware around port‑level configuration registers and read‑modify‑write sequences typical of GPIO expanders. If multiple tasks access the device, implement mutex or transactional protection to keep GPIO state coherent.
GPIO usage patterns
- LED drive and indicators: Quasi‑bidirectional outputs are well‑suited for status LEDs and simple annunciators. Validate LED current and any required series resistors against the datasheet’s output drive capabilities (not specified here).
- Keypad/key matrix: For small‑to‑medium key matrices, dedicate some GPIOs as rows and others as columns. Implement firmware‑based debouncing and scanning intervals that balance responsiveness and power. Confirm any need for external pull resistors per your matrix design.
- General control and sense lines: Use as enables for power switches, mode selects, or as sense inputs from comparators and opto‑isolated signals. Verify input thresholds and protection requirements for your environment (thresholds not specified here).
Layout and manufacturing notes
- Package: HVQFN‑56 offers a compact footprint well‑suited to dense boards. Follow NXP’s land pattern and soldering recommendations to ensure yield and reliability. Exposed pad, thermal characteristics, and exact footprint dimensions are not specified here—see the package section of the datasheet.
- Decoupling: Place local bypass capacitors near the device’s supply pins. The number and values should follow datasheet guidance (not specified here).
- EMC practices: Keep SDA/SCL traces clean and avoid stubs. For noisy environments, consider series damping resistors and segregate high‑di/dt switching away from the I2C nets.
Applications
The PCA9698BS,118 is appropriate for a wide range of embedded designs. Representative use cases include:
- GPIO expansion for MCU/MPU‑based systems
- LED driving and indicators
- Keypad/key matrix interfacing
- General‑purpose digital I/O in consumer, industrial, and instrumentation equipment
In all of these scenarios, the device’s I2C/SMBus interface and high pin density help consolidate control signals into a single, software‑managed peripheral, easing routing and freeing scarce MCU pins.
Lifecycle, supply, and replacements
- Lifecycle status: Active
- Manufacturer: NXP Semiconductors
- Series: PCA9698
- Ordering code: PCA9698BS,118 (tape‑and‑reel)
- Packaging: Tape & Reel (TR) for automated pick‑and‑place
Replacement guidance:
- Direct, form‑fit‑function equivalents are not specified by the manufacturer in the provided data. If you require a second source, compare I/O count, I2C protocol behavior, voltage compatibility, and package against other devices. Always confirm pinout, register map, and electrical limits in the respective datasheets before substitution.
Supply chain note:
- Availability and lead time vary by region and channel. For current pricing and supply, request a quote from authorized distributors or NXP partners. This helps ensure you receive genuine, traceable PCA9698BS,118 stock aligned with your production schedule.
Compliance and environmental information
- RoHS status: RoHS Compliant
- REACH: Not specified in datasheet
- Halogen‑free/green status: Not specified in datasheet
- Moisture sensitivity level (MSL): Not specified in datasheet
- Operating temperature range: Not specified in datasheet
If your project requires a specific compliance declaration or material disclosure, consult NXP’s official product compliance documents available via the product page.
Selection tips: choosing an I/O expander like the NXP PCA9698BS,118
When deciding whether the NXP PCA9698BS,118 is the right GPIO expander for your design, consider the following engineering trade‑offs:
- Total I/O count: With 40 lines, this device reduces the number of expanders needed in high‑GPIO designs.
- Bus bandwidth: Ensure your I2C/SMBus master can service the required read/write rates for your application. Larger GPIO counts can mean longer transactions; budget bus time accordingly.
- Power and drive: Match LED or control‑line current requirements to the device’s output capabilities (consult datasheet values). If you need higher current, add external drivers or transistors.
- Addressing and coexistence: Confirm that the device’s I2C address options fit alongside other slaves on the same bus without conflicts.
- Package and assembly: HVQFN‑56 enables compact layouts; verify your PCB stack‑up and assembly process meet the package’s soldering profile and land‑pattern guidance.
Ordering and identification
- Full part number: PCA9698BS,118
- Family: PCA9698 5 V 40‑bit I2C/SMBus I/O expander
- Package: HVQFN‑56 (BS code)
- Packaging: Tape & Reel (,118 suffix)
If your BOM or AVL requires strict part‑marking rules, refer to the datasheet for the exact top‑mark and lot code conventions (not specified here).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What does the “,118” suffix indicate?
A: For NXP parts, the ,118 suffix generally denotes tape‑and‑reel packaging for automated assembly.
Q: How many GPIOs does the NXP PCA9698 provide?
A: It provides 40 quasi‑bidirectional general‑purpose I/O pins, controllable over I2C/SMBus.
Q: Is the PCA9698BS,118 suitable for I2C/SMBus control?
A: Yes. The device is designed for I2C/SMBus interfacing.
Q: What package does the PCA9698BS,118 use?
A: HVQFN‑56 (package code BS), 56 pins, surface‑mount.
Q: Is the PCA9698BS,118 RoHS compliant?
A: Yes, the part is listed as RoHS Compliant.
Q: Are there specified I2C speed grades, address pins, or current limits in this summary?
A: Not in this summary. Those values are not specified here; please consult the datasheet for definitive electrical and timing characteristics.
Resources
- Product page (NXP): https://www.nxp.com/products/interfaces/ic-spi-i3c-bus-controllers-explorers/i2c-gpio-bridge-expansion/pca9698-5-v-40-bit-i2c-and-sm-bus-i-o-expander:PCA9698
- Datasheet (NXP): https://www.nxp.com/docs/en/data-sheet/PCA9698.pdf
If you are evaluating the NXP PCA9698BS,118 for a new design, start with the datasheet for electrical limits and register definitions, and use the product page to access application notes, reference designs, and compliance documentation as needed.