The RobotDyn I2C 8-bit I/O Expander Module, featuring the PCA8574AD IC, is a versatile expansion board designed for seamless integration into Arduino and other program development platforms. Utilizing the I2C interface, this module enhances your project's capabilities by providing an additional 8 I/O pins, ultimately extending the functionalities of your electronic applications.

 

Features:

• I2C Interface: The module is built around the PCA8574AD IC and utilizes the I2C interface. This enables easy integration into Arduino and other program development platforms, allowing for the efficient expansion of I/O pins.
• Multiple I/O Pins: With 8 I/O pins, this module allows for enhanced connectivity and control in your projects. Each pin can be individually addressed, providing flexibility in managing different components.
• Address Configuration: The board features three jumpers that can be used to choose I2C addresses, allowing for successive connection with 8 different addressing options. This flexibility enables control of up to 64 extra I/O pins with eight distinct addresses, making it suitable for complex projects.
• Modular Expansion: Up to 8 modules can be linked in a row, providing the option to use various I2C addresses for each connected module. Each linked module must have a unique I2C address to ensure proper communication.
• Pull-up Resistor Control: The J1 and J2 jumpers on the rear surface of the board allow for the enabling or disabling of pull-up resistors connected to the SDA and SCL pins. This feature enhances compatibility and control over the communication bus.

 

Specifications:

• Operating Voltage: 5V
• I2C Interface: 8-bit
• Successive Connection: Up to 8 different addressing options
• I/O Pins: 8
• Address Configuration: Jumper-controlled with a table provided on the back of the card
• Pull-up Resistor Control: Enabled or disabled via J1 and J2 jumpers
• Compatibility: Arduino and other platforms

 

Package Included:

• 1 x RobotDyn I2C 8-bit I/O Expander Module, PCA8574AD

 

Connection and Programming Instructions:

For Arduino:

• Connect VCC to 3.3 volts, GND to GND.
• To use the default 0x20 address, connect the address selection pins A0, A1, and A2 to GND.
• Connect SCL to A5 on Arduino and SDA to A4 on Arduino.
• Utilize 10K resistors for pull-up on both SCL and SDA buses.

For NodeMCU:

• Connect Pins A0, A1, and A2 to GND.
• SCL is connected to D1, and SDA is connected to D2.
• Utilize 10K resistors for pull-up on both SCL and SDA buses.

Programming:

• A library for this module can be downloaded here.
• Use the provided I2C Scanner code to determine the module's address.
• Additional example code is provided for basic functionality, such as blinking Pin 0 on the module.

The code to be uploaded :

/**
 * I2CScanner.ino -- I2C bus scanner for Arduino
 * 2009,2014, Tod E. Kurt, http://todbot.com/blog/
 * Modified by Ashish Adhikari: https://www.youtube.com/user/tarantula3
**/
#include "Wire.h"
extern "C" {
#include "utility/twi.h" // from Wire library, so we can do bus scanning
}
// Scan the I2C bus between addresses from_addr and to_addr.
// On each address, call the callback function with the address and result.
// If result==0, address was found, otherwise, address wasn't found
// (can use result to potentially get other status on the I2C bus, see twi.c)
// Assumes Wire.begin() has already been called
void scanI2CBus(byte from_addr, byte to_addr, void(*callback)(byte address, byte result) )
{
 byte rc;
 byte data = 0; // not used, just an address to feed to twi_writeTo()
 for( byte addr = from_addr; addr <= to_addr; addr++ ) {
 rc = twi_writeTo(addr, &data, 0, 1, 0);
 callback( addr, rc );
 }
}
// Called when address is found in scanI2CBus()
// (like adding I2C comm code to figure out what kind of I2C device is there)
void scanFunc( byte addr, byte result ) {
 Serial.print("ADD: ");
 Serial.print(addr, HEX);
 Serial.print( (result==0) ? " found!":" ");
 Serial.print( (addr%4) ? "\t":"\n");
}
byte start_address = 8; // lower addresses are reserved to prevent conflicts with other protocols
byte end_address = 200; // higher addresses unlock other modes, like 10-bit addressing
void setup(){
 Wire.begin();
 Serial.begin(9600); // Changed from 19200 to 9600 which seems to be default for Arduino serial monitor
 Serial.println("\nI2CScanner ready!");
 Serial.print("starting scanning of I2C bus from ");
 Serial.print(start_address, DEC);
 Serial.print(" to ");
 Serial.print(end_address, DEC);
 Serial.println("...");
 // start the scan, will call "scanFunc()" on result from each address
 scanI2CBus( start_address, end_address, scanFunc );
 Serial.println("\ndone");
}
void loop(){}

Simple code to Blink Pin 0 on the Module:

#include "Arduino.h"
#include "PCF8574.h"
// Set i2c address you need to be sure about the adress using the I2C scanner code
PCF8574 pcf8574(0x39);
void setup()
{
Serial.begin(115200);
// Set pinMode to OUTPUT
pcf8574.pinMode(P0, OUTPUT);
pcf8574.pinMode(P1, INPUT);
pcf8574.begin();
}
void loop()
{
pcf8574.digitalWrite(P0, HIGH);
delay(1000);
pcf8574.digitalWrite(P0, LOW);
delay(1000);
}