PCA9685 16-Channel Servo Motor Driver ? I2C PWM Module for Arduino & Raspberry Pi

The PCA9685 16-Channel Servo Motor Driver | I2C PWM Module for Arduino & Raspberry Pi is a 16-channel PWM controller communicating via I2C. It frees up microcontroller pins and generates precise PWM signals for multiple servos, LEDs, or motors.

Key Features

• 16 PWM channels controlled via I2C
• 12-bit resolution (4096 steps) per channel
• Adjustable frequency from 24Hz to 1526Hz
• I2C addressable – up to 62 boards on one bus
• 5V tolerant inputs when powered at 5V
• External power input for high-current loads
• Output enable pin for global PWM control

Technical Specifications

Applications

• Multi-servo robots (hexapods, robot arms)
• LED dimming arrays
• 16-channel motor control
• Animatronics projects
• Automated lighting systems
• Complex PWM generation without timer conflicts

Important Notes

• Use Adafruit_PWMServoDriver library for Arduino
• External 5-6V power supply REQUIRED for servos – I2C power insufficient
• Set PWM frequency to 50Hz (20ms period) for standard servos
• Pulse: ~150 (0.5ms) = 0°, ~375 (1.5ms) = 90°, ~600 (2.5ms) = 180°
• V+ terminal accepts external power for servo bus
• OE pin can disable all outputs – connect to ground if not used