Catalyst Semiconductor, a supplier of analog, mixed-signal and non-volatile memory semiconductors, 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. It is ideal 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). 

Price and Availability

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