SparkFun
SparkFun Qwiic Mux Breakout - 8 Channel (TCA9548A)
The SparkFun Qwiic Mux Breakout uses the TCA9548A to provide 8 independent I2C channels, solving the common problem of multiple sensors sharing the same addr...
The SparkFun Qwiic Mux Breakout uses the TCA9548A to provide 8 independent I2C channels, solving the common problem of multiple sensors sharing the same address. Simply route each device to its own channel and communicate with all of them on a single bus.
With 8 configurable addresses (via solder jumpers), you can daisy-chain up to 8 mux breakouts for a total of 64 I2C channels. The board operates from 1.65V to 5.5V and uses Qwiic connectors for solderless, polarised connections.
Key Features
- 8 I2C Channels – Connect up to 8 same-address devices
- TCA9548A IC – Reliable I2C multiplexer with wide voltage range
- 8 Configurable Addresses – Solder jumper selectable (3 ADR jumpers)
- Qwiic Connectors – Solderless, polarised I2C connections
- 1.65–5.5V Operation – Compatible with 3.3V and 5V systems
- Cascadable – Up to 64 channels with 8 mux boards
Specifications
- IC: TCA9548A
- I2C Channels: 8
- Default Address: 0x70 (configurable 0x70–0x77)
- Operating Voltage: 1.65–5.5V
- Connector: Qwiic (JST 1mm, 4-pin)
Ideal For
- Using multiple identical Qwiic sensors on one bus
- Expanding I2C address space
- Multi-sensor projects with address conflicts
- Large-scale I2C sensor networks
Package Contents
- 1× SparkFun Qwiic Mux Breakout – 8 Channel (TCA9548A)
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- 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.
- 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.
- I2C address
- An I2C address is the number a device uses so a microcontroller can tell it apart from other devices on the same I2C bus. It matters because two devices with the same fixed address may conflict if used together.
- multiplexer
- A multiplexer is a chip or board that lets one controller switch between several devices that would otherwise conflict on the same bus. It matters here because multiple modules with the same I2C address cannot normally share one I2C bus without extra hardware.
- Qwiic
- Qwiic is a plug-in connector system for I2C devices that uses small 4-pin cables, so you can connect compatible sensors without soldering. It matters because your controller or adapter also needs Qwiic, or you will need a cable or breakout to wire it up.
- solder jumper
- A solder jumper is a small pair or group of pads on a circuit board that can be bridged or cut with solder to change a hardware setting. It matters because changing modes may require careful soldering rather than just changing software.
Find this product in
Qwiic Mux Breakout Schematic
Schematic · 161.1 KB · Click any page to view full size
TCA9548A Datasheet
Datasheet · 2.2 MB · Click any page to view full size
Qwiic Mux Board Dimensions
Mechanical Drawings · 42.0 KB · Click any page to view full size
Supplier page — sparkfun.com
Supplier Description · 1.3 MB · Click any page to view full size
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