The CP2401-GQ is a single-chip USB-to-SMBus/I²C bridge controller manufactured by Silicon Labs. This device facilitates communication between a USB host and devices using the SMBus or I²C protocols. It is designed for applications requiring a simple and reliable interface for controlling or monitoring SMBus/I²C peripherals over USB.

Applications

• Battery chargers: Interfaces with battery management ICs (BMICs) to control charging parameters.
• Power supplies: Monitors and controls power supply settings via SMBus/I²C.
• Embedded systems debugging: Provides a USB interface for debugging and programming SMBus/I²C devices.
• Sensor interfaces: Connects sensors with SMBus/I²C interfaces to a computer.
• EEPROM programming: Programs EEPROMs via USB using SMBus/I²C protocol.

Features

• USB 2.0 full-speed compliant: Supports data transfer rates up to 12 Mbps.
• Integrated USB transceiver: Reduces external component count and simplifies board design.
• SMBus/I²C master interface: Supports standard SMBus and I²C communication protocols.
• GPIO pins: Provides general-purpose input/output pins for custom applications.
• Internal EEPROM: Stores configuration data and custom firmware.
• Small package size: Allows for easy integration into space-constrained applications.

Benefits

• Simplified USB-to-SMBus/I²C connectivity: Provides a complete and easy-to-use solution for adding USB to SMBus/I²C devices.
• Reduced system cost: Integrates multiple functions into a single chip, lowering overall BOM cost.
• Increased design flexibility: Allows for custom configurations and control logic implementation.
• Faster time-to-market: Speeds up development with comprehensive development tools and support.
• Easy integration: Small size and minimal external components make it easy to integrate into existing designs.

Additional Details

The CP2401-GQ operates on a 3.3V power supply. It is available in a QFN package. The SMBus/I²C interface supports various clock speeds. Silicon Labs provides drivers and development tools for the CP2401-GQ. This controller can act as a bridge. It supports both 7-bit and 10-bit I2C addressing. The device can be configured for different I2C clock speeds using the internal EEPROM. It also supports clock stretching. Proper pull-up resistors are needed to function correctly.