Cat Semi Offers 16-channel I²C LED Blinker For Flashing & "On/Off" LED Applications

Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc. has added a 16-channel I²C/SMBus LED driver/blinker to its line of bus products. The CAT9552 drives up to 16 LEDs in either programmable flashing or "on/off" modes. The CAT9552 is suitable for applications including advertising point-of-sale signage with flashing LEDs, and any type of consumer or industrial equipment with "on/off" LED indicators.

The CAT9552 is designed with an internal oscillator and two programmable "on/off" or "blink" rate timers, adjustable from 0.02 to 5.8 seconds. This oscillator and its two timers reduce overall parts count and substantially reduce the I²C bus traffic, which would normally occur if traditional bus expanders were used. An added benefit of the CAT9552 is that I/Os not used for controlling LEDs can be used as general-purpose I/Os (GPIOs).

Among the product features are16 open drain outputs that drive 25mA each; two programmable "on/off" and "blink" rate timers (adjustable from 0.02 to 5.8 seconds); I/Os can be used as general purpose I/Os; and packaged in a 24-lead SOIC, TSSOP and 24-pad TQFN (4 x 4mm).

Pricing for the CAT9552 LED driver/blinker is $1.00 each, in 10,000 piece quantities. Projected lead-time for production quantities is currently 6 to 8 weeks ARO.