TI unveils auto-direction voltage-level translators

Texas Instruments Inc. (TI) has announced the release of TXB0104 and TXS0104E, two bi-directional voltage-level translation devices that promise to improve connectivity between next-generation processors and peripheral devices. Eliminating the requirement for direction control signals used by traditional voltage-level translation devices, designers are able to decrease the complexity of control software and save valuable GPIOs on core processors.

Universal bidirectional translation
The TXB0104, a 4bit bidirectional voltage-level translator, provides universal low-voltage bidirectional translation between any of the 1.2-, 1.5-, 1.8-, 2.5-, 3.3- and 5V nodes. Vcca accepts any supply voltage from 1.2V to 3.6V. The B port is designed to track Vcca. Vccb accepts any supply voltage from 1.65V to 5.5V. This device is suitable for applications such as SD card interface via SD 1bit mode or SPI mode.

For open drain applications, such as I?C or MMC card interface (initialization mode), TI's TXS0104E 4bit bidirectional voltage-level translator contains integrated pull-up resistors saving valuable board real estate and total system cost. The device uses two separate configurable power-supply rails. The A port is designed to track Vcca. Vcca accepts any supply voltage from 1.65V to 3.6V; Vcca must be less than or equal to Vccb. The B port is designed to track Vccb. Vccb accepts any supply voltage from 2.3V to 5.5V. This allows for low-voltage bidirectional translation between any of the 1.8-, 2.5-, 3.3- and 5V voltage nodes.

Packaging options
The TXB0104 and TXS0104E are offered in traditional SOIC, TSSOP and QFN packages, as well as the space saving 12-ball BGA package. Both devices are available for sampling in all package options. Budgetary pricing for the TXB0104ZXUR is set at $1.21 in quantities of 1,000 and the budgetary pricing for the TXS0104EZXUR is set at $1.41 in quantities of 1,000.