Voltage level translators deliver design flexibility

Texas Instruments Inc. (TI) expanded its voltage level translation portfolio with the introduction of new 8bit and 16bit dual-supply voltage level translators. According to the company, the SN74LVC8T245 and the SN74LVC16T245 allow for more design flexibility for translating mixed I/O voltages in a system. These new devices allow for bi-directional level translation between the 1.8-, 2.5-, 3.3- and 5V nodes and are essential when a lower level voltage output is trying to communicate with a higher voltage input. By using a dual-supply level translator, not only is input compatibility achieved but total system power is also held in check. The opposite condition, where a higher voltage output is sending signals to a lower voltage input, using a dual-supply level-translator provides further IO compatibility and eliminates the need for high voltage tolerance at the input; thus assisting the board designer for worry-free communication between ICs.

Both the 8bit SN74LVC8T245 and the 16bit SN74LVC16T245 offer several advantages over competitive offerings. Each of them has two supply rails that operate over the full range of 1.65V to 5.5V. When either supply voltage is switched off, all outputs are placed in the Hi-Z mode. The translators also have the Ioff feature which allows use in partial power-down applications.

The SN74LVC8T245 is available in the 3.5-by-5.5mm QFN package, making it suitable for use in portable applications and provides excellent thermal, mechanical and reliability performance. The device has also been released in the Industry-standard SSOP, TSSOP and TVSOP packages. Budgetary pricing for the SN74LVC8T245RHLR (QFN) is set at 86 cents in quantities of 1,000.

The SN74LVC16T245 is planned for release in the 7-by-4.5mm VFBGA package. The device is currently released in the Industry-standard SSOP, TSSOP and TVSOP packages. Budgetary pricing for the SN74LVC16T245DGVR (TVSOP) is set at $1.65 in quantities of 1,000.