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...
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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 board carries a small or fine-pitched component and brings its connections out to standard, breadboard- and header-friendly pins. Describing a part as a breakout means it can be wired into a project without soldering directly to the component's tiny 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 (mux) is a chip or circuit that selects one of several input signals and routes it to a single shared output, with select lines choosing which input is connected; running the same idea in reverse, to send one input to a chosen output, gives a demultiplexer. Multiplexers let a single controller or line work with several signals or devices that would otherwise clash on a shared connection.
- 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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