mLink 12Bit I2C Digital Port Expander

£2.99

VAT included

For Arduino users you can use the mLink library (see below) to control any type of mLink module. Only one single instance of the library is needed to control multiple types of mLink modules resulting in very little resources overhead and therefore making it great for Arduinos with small amounts of memory and pin counts.

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The mLink port expander is a serial (I2C/IIC) digital I/O module. It allows you to add 12 digital input output pins per module to your existing microcontroller/Arduino using only its I2C interface. It is compatible with other mLink or standard I2C modules allowing you to daisy-chain several different types of modules together using only the two I2C pins of your microcontroller.

For Arduino users you can use the mLink library (see below) to control any type of mLink module. Only one single instance of the library is needed to control multiple types of mLink modules resulting in very little resources overhead and therefore making it great for Arduinos with small amounts of memory and pin counts.

For Raspberry Pi users we have a Python module which can be installed via pip or downloaded and installed directly from our forum. Please see the mLink Python forum thread for requirements and download link here

Module specifications:

Module code: 					HCMODU0180
Supply Voltage (VDD): 			3V to 5.5V
Current consumption (no load):		4.5mA
Interfaces:					I2C & 12 x digital I/O pins
I2C Interface speed: 				400kbits/s (fast mode)
I2C default address (HEX): 		0h50
Maximum number of modules: 		5 with pullups fitted, 112 with pullups removed*
Module dimensions (inc headers):	43mm x 19mm x 11.5mm

Digital output max freq:			1.54KHz
Digital Input low level voltage: 		-0.3V to 0.3 x VDD 
Digital Input high level voltage: 	0.7 x VDD to VDD + 0.3V
Digital output pin current source:	 Max 10mA
Digital output pin current sink:		Pins 0 to 2 & 5 to 11 max 10mA 
Pins 3 & 4 max 4mA
Digital output pullup resistor: 		30K to 80K Ohms

*Note the maximum number of connected modules will depend on cable lengths and power requirements of each module. 
Do not exceed 5 mLink modules connected in series with all fitted to all modules.

Arduino Connection Example:

Arduino Digital Output (Blink) Example:

This sketch uses the mLink to 'blink' digital pin 0 on an mLink 12 pin digital port expander module (SKU: HCMODU0180).

To use this sketch connect an LED with a suitable current limiting resistor in series to pin D0 and GND. The LED should then flash slowly

#include "mLink.h"      // Include the library
 
mLink mLink;            //Create an instance of the library
 
#define I2C_ADD 0x50    //Default I2C address
 
void setup()
{
  mLink.init();
 
  // Set pin D0 to an output
  mLink.writeBit(I2C_ADD, DIO12_D0_OUTPUT);
}
 
 
void loop()
{
  mLink.writeBit(I2C_ADD, DIO12_D0, HIGH);    // Set pin D0 HIGH
  delay(1000);                                // Wait for a second
  mLink.writeBit(I2C_ADD, DIO12_D0, LOW);     // Set pin D0 LOW
  delay(1000);                                // Wait for a second
}