This 8-bit input/output (I/O) expander for the two-line bidirectional bus (I²C) is designed for 2.5-V to 6-V V_CC operation.

The PCF8574A provides general-purpose remote I/O expansion for most microcontroller families via the I²C interface [serial clock (SCL), serial data (SDA)].

The device features an 8-bit quasi-bidirectional I/O port (P0-P7), including latched outputs with high-current drive capability for directly driving LEDs. Each quasi-bidirectional I/O can be used as an input or output without the use of a data-direction control signal. At power on, the I/Os are high. In this mode, only a current source to V_CC is active. An additional strong pullup to V_CC allows fast rising edges into heavily loaded outputs. This device turns on when an output is written high and is switched off by the negative edge of SCL. The I/Os should be high before being used as inputs.

The PCF8574A provides an open-drain output (INT) that can be connected to the interrupt input of a microcontroller. An interrupt is generated by any rising or falling edge of the port inputs in the input mode. After time, t_iv, INT is valid. Resetting and reactivating the interrupt circuit is achieved when data on the port is changed to the original setting or data is read from, or written to, the port that generated the interrupt. Resetting occurs in the read mode at the acknowledge bit after the rising edge of the SCL signal, or in the write mode at the acknowledge bit after the high-to-low transition of the SCL signal. Interrupts that occur during the acknowledge clock pulse can be lost (or be very short) due to the resetting of the interrupt during this pulse. Each change of the I/Os after resetting is detected and, after the next rising clock edge, is transmitted as INT. Reading from, or writing to, another device does not affect the interrupt circuit.

By sending an interrupt signal on this line, the remote I/O can inform the microcontroller if there is incoming data on its ports without having to communicate via the I²C bus. Therefore, the PCF8574A can remain a simple slave device.