16-bit I²C GPIO expander for board-level I/O stretch
The Texas Instruments PCA9535DW is a 16-bit I²C and SMBus I/O expander in a 24-SOIC package, designed to add general-purpose digital I/O to a microcontroller or SoC. It operates from a 2.3 V to 5.5 V supply and communicates over a 400 kHz I²C bus. Each of the 16 I/O channels can be configured as input or output, with push-pull outputs capable of sourcing 10 mA and sinking 25 mA. A dedicated interrupt output (INT) notifies the host controller on input change. The POR (power-on reset) feature ensures all I/Os default to inputs at power-up.
Temperature grade and environment
Rated for -40°C to 85°C, the PCA9535DW suits industrial environments — motor drives, outdoor telecom cabinets, factory automation I/O blocks, and HVAC controllers.
Sourcing and lifecycle
For dual-sourcing or supply resilience, the TCA9536ADTMR is a functional alternative — it offers 4 I/O (not 16), operates from 1.65 V, uses open-drain outputs, and extends temperature to 125°C, but it is not a pin-compatible drop-in. The PCA9535DW is the full 16-bit version in the 24-SOIC footprint.
