UART to I2C master / GPIO bridges

Combine multiple devices quickly and easily. Add in new functionality and features. Interface seamlessly between the industry's most commonly used communications protocols. NXP's I²C/SPI to UART/IrDA/GPIO bridge ICs makes all these possible.

Compact, low-power protocol converters they let you create simpler, more flexible designs while cutting software overhead and time to market.

In I²C applications, the bridge ICs operate up to 400 kbps with a choice of 16 hardware-selectable addresses. As an SPI slave, they can operate up to 4 Mbps. Each device has up to 8 general-purpose I/O (GPIO) pins, providing the maximum flexibility. They also offer automatic RS485 slave detection. By reducing a host interface from 15 to 2 or 4 wired, the SC16IS7xx family lets you cut the size and cost of your PCB.

In addition, the devices support IrDA at either 115 kbps or 1.152 Mbps. So you can deliver wireless connectivity with the I²C and SPI buses, and offer communications with PDAs, consumer remote controls and many other wireless devices.

Key features

• High-speed 16C-based single / dual UARTs (5 Mbps)
• Selectable I²C or SPI host bus interface
• Each UART supports an IrDA interface (115 kbps or 1.152 Mbps)
• Low power consumption
• Eight GPIO pins (can be configured as modem control)
• 64-byte UART transmit and receive FIFOs
• Independent enable / disable for transmitter and receiver
• Hardware and software reset, POR (Power-On Reset)
• Automatic hardware and software UART flow controls
• Automatic RS-485 support on each UART port
• 2.5 or 3.3 V operation with 5 V tolerant I/Os
• Industrial temperature range (-40 to +85°C)
• Choice of TSSOP or HVQFN packages

Key benefits

• Reduces host interface interconnection to 2 (I²C) or 4 (SPI) wires
• Compatible with industry-standard UARTs allowing software to be ported
• One chip can interface to with both I²C and SPI interfaces via a selectable pin
• Regulate data flow automatically to prevent data overflow / loss
• Significantly reduces design effort and hardware resources
• Reduces board size and lowers assembly costs

Applications

• PDAs and smartphones
• Handheld and battery-powered devices
• Network diagnostic terminal
• Point of Sale (POS)
• Industrial front-panel interfaces
• Switches, hubs and routers
• Bluetooth, GPS and GPRS interface
• Wireless IrDA data port
• Gaming machines
• Car infotainment

Information resources

Philips introduces industry's first I²C/SPI to UART bridge
New multimarket products quarterly highlights 4.4
I²C / SPI slave to UART / IrDA / GPIO bridges
SPI slave to I²C master / GPIO bridges
UART to I²C master / GPIO bridges

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