NXP has released a 34-bit general purpose I/O expander, the PCAL6534, which provides remote I/O expansion for most microcontroller families via the Fast-mode Plus (Fm +) I2C bus interface. The ultra-low-voltage interface allows for direct connection to a microcontroller operating down to 0.8 V.

The PCAL6534 includes level translating from the 1.65V to 5.5V I/O range and Agile I/O input latch, programmable output current, and integrated resistors. The benefits of the PCAL6534 are a wide voltage range for matching today’s lowest voltage FPGAs/processors and tiny package size, saving the cost and size of additional IOs in the processor. A GPIO expander such as the PCAL6534 can also simplify routing by pulling the I/Os for system management way from the processor, which may be densely packed with other critical functions.

The PCAL6534 is offered in a 2.6 mm x 3 mm VFBGA 42-pin package with 0.4 mm bump spacing. For more information on this device, please refer to the NXP website: https://www.nxp.com/products/analog/interfaces/ic-bus/ic-general-purpose-i-o/pcal6534-ultra-low-voltage-level-translating-34-bit-ic-bus-smbus-i-o-expander:PCAL6534