PCA9546A 4-Channel I2C SMBus Switch

Texas Instruments Signal_Chain — specifications, applications, sourcing support and RFQ.

PCA9546A 4-Channel I2C SMBus Switch

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Part Number
PCA9546A
Manufacturer
Texas Instruments
Package
SOIC (D) 16: 9.90 mm x 3.91 mm; TVSOP (DGV) 16: 3.60 mm x 4.40 mm; SOIC (DW) 16: 10.3 mm x 7.50 mm; TSSOP (PW) 16: 5.00 mm x 4.40 mm; VQFN (RGV) 16: 4.00 mm x 4.00 mm; VQFN (RGY) 16: 4.50 mm x 3.50 mm
Category
Signal Chain
Product Type
Operational Amplifier

Quick Sourcing Note

PCA9546A from Texas Instruments is a Signal_Chain 4-channel I2C SMBus switch for routing one upstream SCL/SDA pair to four downstream channel pairs. It supports any individual channel or channel combination through a programmable control register and is compatible with I2C bus and SMBus operation from 0 to 400 kHz. The device supports 1.8 V, 2.5 V, 3.3 V, and 5 V buses through external pull-up resistors, with 5.5 V tolerant I/O pins. Recommended VCC is 2.3 to 5.5 V, recommended free-air operating temperature is -40 to 85 °C, and package options include 16-pin SOIC, TVSOP, TSSOP, and VQFN formats.

Specifications

TypeDescription
Part NumberPCA9546A
ManufacturerTexas Instruments
Product TypeOperational Amplifier
CategorySignal Chain
Package / CaseSOIC (D) 16: 9.90 mm x 3.91 mm; TVSOP (DGV) 16: 3.60 mm x 4.40 mm; SOIC (DW) 16: 10.3 mm x 7.50 mm; TSSOP (PW) 16: 5.00 mm x 4.40 mm; VQFN (RGV) 16: 4.00 mm x 4.00 mm; VQFN (RGY) 16: 4.50 mm x 3.50 mm
FunctionQuad bidirectional translating switch controlled via I2C bus; SCL/SDA upstream pair fans out to four downstream channel pairs
Channel Count4 downstream channels; SC0/SD0 through SC3/SD3
Channel SelectionAny individual channel or combination of channels selectable; determined by programmable control register contents
Interface CompatibilityI2C bus and SMBus compatible for device control and bus switching
Address Pins3 address pins; allows up to eight PCA9546A devices on the I2C bus
Reset InputActive-low RESET input; resets I2C state machine and deselects all channels
Power-Up StateAll switch channels deselected at power-up or after internal power-on reset
Supported Bus Voltage Translation1.8 V, 2.5 V, 3.3 V, and 5 V buses; external pull-up resistors set desired voltage level for each channel
Input Tolerance5.5 V tolerant inputs; all I/O pins are 5.5 V tolerant
Clock Frequency0 to 400 kHz for I2C/SMBus operation
Latch-Up PerformanceExceeds 100 mA per JESD 78
ESD Protection - HBM±2000 V, human-body model, ANSI/ESDA/JEDEC JS-001 / JESD 22 A114-A
ESD Protection - CDM±1000 V, charged-device model, JEDEC JESD22-C101
Recommended Supply Voltage2.3 to 5.5 V operating conditions
Recommended Operating Free-Air Temperature-40 to 85 °C operating conditions
Absolute Maximum Supply Voltage-0.5 to 7 V over operating free-air temperature range
Absolute Maximum Input Voltage-0.5 to 7 V; input negative-voltage and output voltage ratings may be exceeded if current ratings are observed
Absolute Maximum Input Current±20 mA over operating free-air temperature range
Absolute Maximum Output Current±25 mA over operating free-air temperature range
Absolute Maximum Continuous VCC Current±100 mA continuous current through VCC
Absolute Maximum Continuous GND Current±100 mA continuous current through GND
Total Power Dissipation400 mW absolute maximum rating
Storage Temperature-65 to 150 °C absolute maximum rating
High-Level Input Voltage - SCL/SDAMinimum 0.7 × VCC, maximum 6 V under recommended operating conditions
High-Level Input Voltage - A2-A0 and RESETMinimum 0.7 × VCC, maximum VCC + 0.5 V under recommended operating conditions
Low-Level Input Voltage - SCL/SDAMinimum -0.5 V, maximum 0.3 × VCC under recommended operating conditions
Low-Level Input Voltage - A2-A0 and RESETMinimum -0.5 V, maximum 0.3 × VCC under recommended operating conditions
Power-On Reset Voltage RisingTypical 1.2 V, maximum 1.5 V; VPORR, VCC rising, no load, VI = VCC or GND
Power-On Reset Voltage FallingTypical 0.8 V, maximum 1 V; VPORF, VCC falling, no load, VI = VCC or GND
Switch Output VoltageTypical 3.6 V at VCC=5 V; minimum 2.6 V maximum 4.5 V at VCC=4.5 to 5.5 V; typical 1.9 V at VCC=3.3 V; minimum 1.6 V maximum 2.8 V at VCC=3 to 3.6 V; typical 1.5 V at VCC=2.5 V; minimum 1.1 V maximum 2 V at VCC=2.3 to 2.7 V; Vpass, VSWin = VCC, ISWout = -100 µA
SCL/SDA Low-Level Output CurrentMinimum 3 mA, maximum 7 mA at VOL=0.4 V; minimum 6 mA, maximum 10 mA at VOL=0.6 V; IOL, VCC=2.3 to 5.5 V
Input Leakage Current±1 µA; SCL, SDA, SC3-SC0, SD3-SD0, A2-A0, RESET; VI = VCC or GND; VCC=2.3 to 5.5 V
Operating Supply CurrentTypical 3 µA, maximum 12 µA at VCC=5.5 V; typical 3 µA, maximum 11 µA at VCC=3.6 V; typical 3 µA, maximum 10 µA at VCC=2.7 V; operating mode, fSCL=100 kHz, VI=VCC or GND, IO=0
Standby Supply Current - Low InputsTypical 1.6 µA, maximum 2 µA at VCC=5.5 V; typical 1 µA, maximum 1.3 µA at VCC=3.6 V; typical 0.7 µA, maximum 1.1 µA at VCC=2.7 V; VI=GND, IO=0
Standby Supply Current - High InputsTypical 1.6 µA, maximum 2 µA at VCC=5.5 V; typical 1 µA, maximum 1.3 µA at VCC=3.6 V; typical 0.7 µA, maximum 1.1 µA at VCC=2.7 V; VI=VCC, IO=0
Supply Current Change - SCL/SDATypical 8 µA, maximum 15 µA; SCL or SDA input at 0.6 V or VCC - 0.6 V, other inputs at VCC or GND, VCC=2.3 to 5.5 V
Input Capacitance - Address PinsTypical 4.5 pF, maximum 6 pF; A2-A0, VI=VCC or GND, VCC=2.3 to 5.5 V
Input Capacitance - RESETTypical 4.5 pF, maximum 5.5 pF; VI=VCC or GND, VCC=2.3 to 5.5 V
Off-State I/O Capacitance - SCL/SDATypical 15 pF, maximum 19 pF; switch OFF, VI=VCC or GND, VCC=2.3 to 5.5 V
Off-State I/O Capacitance - Downstream ChannelsTypical 6 pF, maximum 8 pF; SC3-SC0 and SD3-SD0, switch OFF, VI=VCC or GND, VCC=2.3 to 5.5 V
Switch On-State ResistanceMinimum 4 Ω, typical 10 Ω, maximum 16 Ω at VCC=4.5 to 5.5 V; minimum 5 Ω, typical 13 Ω, maximum 20 Ω at VCC=3 to 3.6 V; minimum 7 Ω, typical 16 Ω, maximum 45 Ω at VCC=2.3 to 2.7 V; RON; VO=0.4 V; IO=15 mA for VCC=4.5 to 5.5 V and 3 to 3.6 V; IO=10 mA for VCC=2.3 to 2.7 V
Standard-Mode I2C Clock Frequency0 to 100 kHz for I2C bus standard mode timing
Standard-Mode I2C Clock High TimeMinimum 4 µs for I2C bus standard mode timing
Standard-Mode I2C Clock Low TimeMinimum 4.7 µs for I2C bus standard mode timing
Standard-Mode I2C Spike TimeMaximum 50 ns for I2C bus standard mode timing
Standard-Mode I2C Serial Data Setup TimeMinimum 250 ns for I2C bus standard mode timing
Standard-Mode I2C Serial Data Hold TimeMinimum 0 ns for I2C bus standard mode timing
Standard-Mode I2C Input Rise TimeMaximum 1000 ns for I2C bus standard mode timing
Standard-Mode I2C Input Fall TimeMaximum 300 ns for I2C bus standard mode timing
Standard-Mode I2C Output Fall TimeMaximum 300 ns; 10-pF to 400-pF bus, I2C bus standard mode timing
Thermal Resistance - Junction to AmbientDGV 120 °C/W; DW 57 °C/W; PW 122.3 °C/W; RGV 63.2 °C/W; RGY 50 °C/W; D 92.3 °C/W; RθJA, 16-pin packages
Datasheet Statusrequest_only

Product Overview

The PCA9546A is a Texas Instruments quad bidirectional translating switch controlled through the I2C bus. One upstream SCL/SDA pair fans out to four downstream channel pairs, SC0/SD0 through SC3/SD3. Any individual channel or combination of channels can be selected by the programmable control register, and three address pins allow up to eight PCA9546A devices on the same I2C bus.

The device is I2C bus and SMBus compatible and operates across 0 to 400 kHz, including standard-mode timing from 0 to 100 kHz. External pull-up resistors set the desired voltage level for each channel, supporting 1.8 V, 2.5 V, 3.3 V, and 5 V buses. All I/O pins are 5.5 V tolerant, and the recommended supply range is 2.3 to 5.5 V.

At power-up or after internal power-on reset, all switch channels are deselected. An active-low RESET input resets the I2C state machine and deselects all channels. Package choices include 16-pin SOIC, TVSOP, TSSOP, and VQFN variants with listed thermal resistance values for board-level design review.

Key Features

  • Quad bidirectional switch controlled through I2C bus
  • Four downstream channel pairs from one upstream SCL/SDA pair
  • Any channel combination selectable by programmable control register
  • I2C bus and SMBus compatible switching interface
  • Three address pins support up to eight devices per bus
  • Active-low RESET deselects channels and resets I2C state machine
  • Power-up state has all switch channels deselected
  • Supports 1.8 V, 2.5 V, 3.3 V, and 5 V buses
  • All I/O pins are 5.5 V tolerant
  • Operates from 0 to 400 kHz I2C/SMBus clock

Typical Applications

  • I2C bus channel expansion
  • SMBus channel switching
  • Multi-voltage I2C bus routing
  • Shared upstream controller fanout
  • Address-conflict device isolation
  • Selectable downstream sensor buses
  • Resettable I2C branch control

Procurement Notes

When requesting a quote for PCA9546A, buyers should confirm the manufacturer, package or case, required quantity, target date code, compliance documents, packing method, destination country and expected delivery schedule.

If alternatives are acceptable, buyers should share the approved vendor list, required electrical or optical limits, package constraints and qualification requirements. Any alternative part should be reviewed by the buyer's engineering team before production use.

For analog and signal-chain sourcing, supply voltage, bandwidth, accuracy, noise level, package, temperature grade, input/output configuration and qualification requirements should be verified before approval.

FAQ

What function does the PCA9546A provide on an I2C bus?

The PCA9546A is a quad bidirectional translating switch controlled through the I2C bus. It routes one upstream SCL/SDA pair to four downstream channel pairs, with any individual channel or channel combination selected through a programmable control register.

How many PCA9546A devices can share one I2C bus?

The device includes three address pins. According to the extracted datasheet facts, those pins allow up to eight PCA9546A devices to be placed on the same I2C bus.

What bus voltages does the PCA9546A support?

The PCA9546A supports 1.8 V, 2.5 V, 3.3 V, and 5 V buses. External pull-up resistors set the desired voltage level for each channel, and all I/O pins are specified as 5.5 V tolerant.

What happens after power-up or RESET on the PCA9546A?

At power-up or after internal power-on reset, all switch channels are deselected. The active-low RESET input also resets the I2C state machine and deselects all channels.

What operating supply and temperature ranges are specified?

The recommended supply voltage range is 2.3 to 5.5 V. The recommended operating free-air temperature range is -40 to 85 °C, based on the extracted operating-condition facts.

Technical Review & Sourcing Note

Prepared by LDeepAI Component Sourcing Team. Reviewed for RFQ, documentation and alternative sourcing use. Last updated: July 7, 2026.

This page is based on manufacturer datasheet information and LDeepAI sourcing review. Specifications should be verified against the official manufacturer datasheet before final procurement or design approval. Final electrical, optical and reliability approval should be confirmed by the buyer's engineering team.

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