PCA9685 16 Channel I2C PWM/Servo Driver Shield

PCA9685 16-Channel I2C PWM/Servo Driver Shield

In comprehensive projects created using Arduino® and servo motors, the number of pins available to drive the servo motors may sometimes be insufficient. Instead of switching to a development board with more pins, such as the Arduino® Mega 2560 R3, you can use boards like an I2C PWM/Servo driver to increase your pin count. The I2C PWM shield provides 16 PWM outputs using only a few pins. Additionally, while Arduino® boards can provide 8-bit PWM output, this board provides a 12-bit PWM output.

You can use the I2C PWM/Servo driver shield board to drive servos, as well as in various fields such as RC speed control unit (ESC) and multi-LED driving projects.

When selecting the power supply to be used, the number of servo motors utilized and the current drawn by these motors must be taken into consideration. We recommend that you choose an appropriate power supply after calculating the total current you will need by reviewing the servo motor datasheets.

Thanks to the I2C connection, you will have 16 PWM outputs using only 2 pins (SDA and SCL). Furthermore, since the I2C address of the PCA9685 IC can be changed via the solder jumpers on the board, you can theoretically stack 62 shields on top of each other to have a total of 992 PWM outputs :)

PCA9685 16-Channel I2C PWM/Servo Driver Shield Technical Specifications:

• Built-in clock frequency generation feature eliminates the need for continuous updates.
• 5V compliant; you can seamlessly drive LEDs with voltages up to 6V using your 3.3V Arduino® boards.
• 6 address selection solder jumpers (62 different address selection options).
• Adjustable PWM frequency up to 6 kHz.
• 12-bit resolution (~4µs resolution at 60Hz update rate).
• Push-pull or open-drain output options.
• Screw terminal block connection for power input, reverse voltage protected.
• Green and red power status LEDs.
• 3-pin servo-compatible header connections, grouped in sets of 4.
• Capacitor connection for the V+ line (can be soldered when needed).
• A 220 ohm series resistor is connected to all outputs to facilitate driving LEDs and protect the outputs.
• 5x20 prototyping area.
• 7-bit I2C address selection (0x60-0x80).
• Dimensions: 2.1" x 2.7" x 0.1" (54 mm x 70 mm x 3 mm).

Products That Can Be Used Together:

• Servo Motor Types
• Brushless Motor Drivers (ESC)
• Development Boards Compatible with Arduino
• Arduino® UNO R3
• Shield Types Compatible with Arduino

Documents & Useful Links:

• I2C Address Configuration
• PCA9685 Datasheet
• PCA9685 16-Channel I2C PWM/Servo Driver Library (for Arduino®)
• Usage with Arduino®
• Fritzing Library
• Eagle Board Schematic