PCA9685 16-Channel 8W Open Collector 12-Bit PWM FET Driver with I2C Interface
Highlights
- Power FET Controller with I2C Interface
- 16 N-Channel PWM Controlled Open Collector BUK98150-55A 55V 5.5A 8W Power Fets
- Solid-State 12-Bit PWM Light Dimming of Incandescent or High-Power LED Lighting
- Designed for Resistive Solid State DC PWM Control Applications
- I2C Expansion Port for Adding External Sensors or Controllers
- PCA9685 12-Bit PWM 16-Channel I2C Interface
- 4096 Levels of Output per Channel
- Includes FREE I2C Expansion Cable
This 16-Channel power FET driver allows 12-Bit proportional control of high-current loads using I2C communications, making it compatible with all computing platforms, including Raspberry Pi, Arduino, Particle Photon, BeagleBone, and much more. This device uses sixteen BUK98150-55A power FETs, allowing control of 16 channels of High-Power LED or incandescent lighting using the I2C data bus. The BUK98150-55A is capable of controlling up to 55VDC and 5.5 Amps of current (8 Watts of Heat Dissipation), making it an ideal choice for most low-voltage DC lighting applications. The PCA9685 chip is used as a driver for this controller, making communications easy and expandable to up to 62 devices on a single I2C port.
Take control of your DC lighting applications from any computing platform. Plug this device into a Particle Photon or Particle Electron for worldwide access using the Particle Cloud infrastructure. Plug this device into an Arduino for easy programming and quick development. Plug into a Linux using Raspberry Pi or BeagleBone for cost sensitive applications that require some computing power. We are always developing GitHub libraries for Java, Python, and Arduino to help get you started. Our development library makes it easy to control this device with minimal coding. An I2C expansion port makes it easy to add sensors or more controllers to the I2C bus.
nodeLynk™ Device
This is a nodeLynk device, it will require a nodeLynk Master Adapter for proper operation. nodeLynk devices plug into Master microprocessors to easily add hardware sensing and control capabilities.
What is nodeLynk?
Chain expansion devices using nodeLynk. Connect a wide variety of accessories to expand the capabilities of a nodeLynk compatible controller. Use nodeLynk to add Relay Controllers, Sensors, PWM Drivers, Displays, and a wide variety of 4-20mA, 0-10V ADCs and DACs, as well as a wide array of TTL & Isolated GPIO devices. All nodeLynk devices use I2C communications to chain devices together. nodeLynk is an easy way to expand functionality without soldering. nodeLynk allows expansion in seconds so you can focus on your software and firmware development.
What is the nodeLynk I2C Interface?
NCD is the creator of plug and play modular hardware using nodeLynk, which is hardware I2C Interface connector standard. nodeLynk I2C devices allow you to chain together several devices on the I2C bus, and communicate to each device individually at high speed (subject to the limitations of I2C). The nodeLynk I2C Interface uses a standard 4-Pin I2C Input and I2C Output connector. nodeLynk I2C devices communicate 5V I2C data and provides 5V DC power through this connector. nodeLynk I2C devices use standard I2C communications for all data transport, which is supported by nearly every microcontroller in production today. The nodeLynk I2C Interface is strictly a 5V standard, which is ideal for transport across longer cables. nodeLynk I2C devices always include a 6″ (152mm) 4-conductor I2C cable. nodeLynk I2C Mini Modules always include a 3″ (76mm) 4-conductor I2C cable. Cables and connectors are available separately for designers who would like to include their own nodeLynk I2C Interface into their designs.
Plug and Play Connectivity
nodeLynk I2C devices will plug in to any available nodeLynk I2C Output. This includes just about everything we make in the NCD IoT Category, including all NCD IoT devices. We also manufacture a wide range of I2C adapters that make it easy to plug nodeLynk I2C Devices directly into most computing platforms. nodeLynk I2C Interface adapters are available for Arduino, Banana Pi, BeagleBone, Bluz, ESP8266, Onion Omega, Particle Photon and Electron, PyCom, Raspberry Pi, 2, 3, and Zero, and Windows. We are always working to add new platform support for nodeLynk I2C devices. nodeLynk I2C Interface devices are compatible with just about everything in the microcontroller industry.
Unlimited I2C Expansion
Based on our plug-and-play I2C interface standard, all nodeLynk I2C devices are equipped with a I2C output port, making it easy to expand to a wide variety of sensors, current monitors, relay controllers, PWM controllers, and much more! We are always designing new expansions for our modular plug-and-play I2C framework. We are dedicated to building a product line of interconnected devices to simplify all forms of automation. Re-use or upgrade your hardware in seconds by selecting the modules that best fit your needs, and chaining them together using the included I2C expansion cables!
A Raspberry Pi (above) is connected to a nodeLynk Master adapter. nodeLynk devices are chained to the Raspberry Pi nodeLynk Master using I2C communications. Each nodeLynk device must have a different I2C address for proper operation of the chain. Note that some nodeLynk I2C devices have a fixed address while others allow configuration of the address across a limited range of addresses.
Powering nodeLynk I2C Interface Devices
Some nodeLynk I2C devices require a external power supply, others may be powered through the 4-Pin I2C bus connector at 5VDC, and other devices are jumper selectable between external and I2C bus power. All I2C mini modules are powered through the 5V I2C bus connector, greatly simplifying connectivity.
Mechanical Drawing
Wiring Diagrams
Datasheets
Official Repository
Integration Notes
This device was designed for proportional control of resistive loads, but may be used for very light inductive applications, such as small hobby DC motors. We strongly encourage customers to use this version with resistive loads as much as possible. This controller is equipped with 16 Open Collector 12-Bit PWM outputs. Open Collector 12-Bit PWM outputs work by connecting an external load, such as a incandescent light or LED to ground under software control. Open Collector 12-Bit PWM outputs are also known as low-side drivers, meaning they connect/disconnect the ground side of an external device. Because the outputs on this controller are open collector, every external load can operate at a different voltage, as long as all voltages are capable of sharing a common ground. See our wiring diagram for connection examples. Not for use with AC power applications. This device requires an external 12VDC Power Supply.
I2C Interface Compatibility
NCD I2C Interface devices are designed to plug in to many popular IoT computing platforms. This allows the “brains” from other manufacturers to directly plug into our devices for easy plug-and-play operation. I2C interface devices use I²C as the underlying communications technology. The notes below will guide you into plugging 3rd party technologies into our devices, we will highlight any adapters that may be required in this section. Please note that all NCD I2C Interface Devices can be chained together to any other Cross-Platform I²C Slave Devices using the I²C Output. Additionally, NCD I2C devices may be plugged into the I2C Output of NCD IoT Interface devices. A complete list NCD I2C Interface adapters is available by clicking here.
Arduino Interface
- Plug this device into the Arduino Micro I2C Shield
- Plug this device into the Arduino Nano I2C Shield
- Plug this device into the Arduino Uno I2C Shield
- Plug this device into the Arduino Due I2C Shield
Banana Pi Interface
- Plug this device into the Banana Pi I2C Shield
BeagleBone Interface
- Plug this device into a BeagleBone I2C Shield
Bluz Bluetooth Interface
- Plug this device into the Bluz I2C Shield (with power)
C.H.I.P. Interface
- Plug this device into the C.H.I.P. I2C Shield
ESP8266 Interface
- Plug this device into the NodeMCU ESP8266 I2C Shield
- Plug this device into the Adafruit Huzzah ESP8266 I2C Shield
Particle Interface
- Plug this device into a Particle Photon WiFi I2C Shield
- Plug this device into a Particle Electron Cellular I2C Shield
Onion Omega 1 & 2 Interface
- Plug this device into a Onion Omega I2C Shield
PyCom Interface
- Plug this device into a PyCom WiPy, WiPy2, and LoPy I2C Shield
Raspberry Pi Interface
- Plug this device into a Raspberry Pi I²C Interface Adapter
- Plug this device into a Raspberry Pi 2/3 I²C Interface Adapter
- Plug this device into a Raspberry Pi Zero I²C Interface Adapter
Windows 8/10 PC USB Interface
- Plug this device into a USB to I2C Converter
- Plug this device into the BridgeX5 Series Controller