Adafruit
Adafruit 16-Channel 12-bit PWM/Servo Driver - I2C interface [PCA9685]
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The Adafruit 16-Channel PWM/Servo Driver uses the PCA9685 chip to provide 16 channels of 12-bit PWM output over I2C. With a built-in clock, the driver runs i...
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The Adafruit 16-Channel PWM/Servo Driver uses the PCA9685 chip to provide 16 channels of 12-bit PWM output over I2C. With a built-in clock, the driver runs independently — no need to continuously send signals from your microcontroller. Ideal for controlling servos, LEDs, or any PWM-driven device.
Up to 62 boards can be chained on a single I2C bus using solder-jumper address selection, giving you control over up to 992 PWM outputs. The board is 5V compliant, so you can control it from a 3.3V microcontroller while driving outputs up to 6V.
Key Features
- 16 PWM Channels – 12-bit resolution (4,096 steps) per output
- PCA9685 Driver – Free-running I2C-controlled PWM with built-in clock
- Chainable – Up to 62 boards on one I2C bus (992 total outputs)
- 5V Compliant – Control from 3.3V logic, drive up to 6V outputs
- Adjustable Frequency – PWM up to ~1.6 kHz
- Configurable Output – Push-pull or open-drain, with output enable pin
- 220Ω Series Resistors – Output protection and easy LED driving
- Reverse Polarity Protection – On terminal block power input
- Servo Connectors – 3-pin headers in groups of 4 for up to 16 servos
Also Available
- 16-Channel PWM/Servo Shield – Arduino shield format with prototyping area
Ideal For
- Multi-servo robotics (hexapods, robotic arms)
- Precise LED dimming and colour mixing
- Kinetic art with many moving parts
- Large-scale PWM output expansion
Package Contents
- 1× Adafruit PCA9685 16-channel PWM/Servo driver breakout (assembled and tested)
- 4× 3×4 male straight headers (for servo plugs)
- 1× 2-pin terminal block (for power input)
- 1× 6-pin 0.1" header
Note: Servos not included. Light soldering required to attach headers. Terminal block colour may vary (blue or black).
Specifications
- Driver Chip – PCA9685
- Channels – 16
- PWM Resolution – 12-bit (4,096 steps)
- Servo Resolution – ~4µs at 60Hz update rate
- Max PWM Frequency – ~1.6 kHz
- Output Voltage – Up to 6V
- Interface – I2C (6 address select pins)
- Max Chainable – 62 boards (992 outputs)
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- 12-bit resolution
- 12-bit resolution means the sensor’s measurement is divided into 4096 possible digital values. Higher resolution can make small changes in motion or tilt easier to detect, as long as the sensor range and noise are suitable for the project.
- breakout
- A breakout is a small circuit board that makes a tiny or hard-to-solder component easier to connect to with standard pins. It matters because this OLED module can be wired into a microcontroller project without needing to solder directly to the display’s fine contacts.
- Headers
- Rows of metal pins used to plug a module into a breadboard or connect it with jumper wires. Pre-soldered headers make the module easier to use straight away without needing to solder the pins yourself.
- I2C
- I2C is a two-wire communication bus used by many sensors and small modules. It matters because several I2C devices can share the same two wires, but each device needs a compatible address and your controller must support I2C.
- LED
- A light-emitting diode is a small electronic component that lights up when current flows through it in the correct direction. In this kit, LEDs create the flashing effect, so polarity and correct soldering matter for the project to work.
- microcontroller
- A microcontroller is a small computer on a chip that runs your program and controls connected inputs and outputs. For this product, it is the part that reads buttons and sensors, drives the display and speaker, and communicates over Bluetooth.
- PWM
- Pulse Width Modulation is a way for a digital pin to simulate variable output power by switching on and off very quickly. It matters for controlling things like LED brightness, motor speed, or servo-style signals from a microcontroller pin.
- reverse polarity protection
- A circuit feature that helps protect the board if power is connected the wrong way around. It matters because it can reduce the chance of damaging the breakout during wiring mistakes, especially in classroom or prototyping use.
- servo
- A servo is a motor with built-in position control, usually told to move to a specific angle by a control signal. It matters when you need repeatable movement, such as steering, arms, flaps, or linkages, rather than continuous spinning.
- Shield
- An add-on board that plugs into a main controller board to give it extra features such as sensing, motor control or communication. Knowing a product supports shields helps you judge whether it can connect neatly into an existing maker-board setup.
- Terminal block
- A connector used to join wires together in a neat, removable, or serviceable way. For this product, it helps split one power input into several outputs without soldering.
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