Adafruit 16-Channel Driver

Adafruit 16-Channel Driver: The sky’s the limit

It’s a fact, you can have the wackiest of ideas only to be faced with a sobering reality: there are not enough available outputs to connect all the servo motors, LEDs and sensors you naively had in mind. Fortunately, the fantasists working for Adafruit are also great electronics geniuses. This is one of their most interesting creations, and could well be just what you’re looking for to complete your craziest projects. It’s quite simply a driver offering 16 channels, which can be used as PWM outputs or to control the servos used for your projects. Each output has a 12-bit resolution, and the board can be connected to a 3.3V microcontroller while also communicating via the I2C protocol.

Possible uses of the 16-Channel Driver

Honestly? There’s a multitude of possibilities. Including coupling the outputs to multiply the number of PWM outputs (legend has it that you can create as many as 992). Or even creating an electronic octopus equipped with mechanical arms, propellers and LEDs or a mobile caterpillar. Don’t forget to send us your videos – we can’t wait to see what you’re capable of!

Technical specifications of the Adafruit 16-Channel Driver

• Arduino-compatible 16-channel PWM/servo driver
• Communication via an I2C bus
• UART/TTL interface
• Resolution: 12 bits
• PWM frequency: 1.6 kHz (adjustable)
• Supply: 4.8–6 Vdc
• Reverse-polarity protected
• Dimensions: 62.5 x 25.4 x 3 mm
• RoHS compliant

Resources for the Adafruit 16-Channel Driver

The documents below will help you get started more rapidly with your Adafruit 16-Channel Driver:

PCA9685 datasheet

Tutorial with Arduino

Adafruit library