June 3, 2015 – Linear Technology Korea (CEO Hong Sa-kwak) announced the release of an I2C/SMBus address translator (product names: LTC4316/LTC4317/LTC4318) that enables the implementation of multiple slaves with the same address, such as temperature sensors, allowing them to communicate independently with a master without conflicts. Address conflicts occur when the same hardwired address is located on the same bus. Existing solutions have used I2C multiplexers or switches to select the slaves requiring addressing via software or pins. However, the LTC4316-18 is an easy-to-use solution that replaces I2C muxes and switches. The LTC4316/LTC4317/LTC4318 does not require software programming or an ENABLE control line, allowing the master to connect directly to the slaves using an independently modified address configured with an external resistor.

The address translator provides simple address extension for both I2C and SMBus systems, as well as voltage level translation for 2.5V, 3.3V, and 5V buses. ±4kV HBM ESD, 1V pre-charging, and glitch filtering on bus pins ensure that the address translator is robust enough for live-mode insertion and removal applications. Pass-through mode allows the user to temporarily disable the address translator, enabling standard call addressing through the master. In addition, if the SCL line is kept low or high for more than 30ms, the stuck bus timer monitors it and stops address translation, reconnecting SDAIN to SDAOUT in any stuck bus situation.

The LTC4316 single (1 input/1 output) is available in 10-pin 3mm x 3mm DFN and 10-pin MSOP packages. The LTC4317 “Y” configuration (1 input/2 outputs) is available in a 16-pin 5mm x 3mm DFN package. The LTC4318 dual (2 inputs/2 outputs) is available in a 20-pin 4mm x 4mm QFN package. Available in commercial and industrial temperature ranges, the LTC4316, LTC4317, and LTC4318 are priced at $1.45, $1.75, and $1.95, respectively, in 1,000-unit quantities. For detailed information, please refer to www.linear.com/product/LTC4316, www.linear.com/product/LTC4317, and www.linear.com/product/LTC4318.

Two identical slaves can receive different addresses with a single I2C address translator