Logic - Translators, Level Shifters

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
74AVC2T45GF,115 Nexperia	74AVC2T45 - DUAL-BIT, DUAL-SUPPL	63200
NXB0101GMX Nexperia	NXB0101GM/SOT886/XSON6	3475
TXS0108EPWR Texas Instruments	IC TRNSLTR BIDIRECTIONAL 20TSSOP TXS0108EPWR	45000
NXB0102DCH Nexperia	NXB0102DC/SOT765/VSSOP8	0
PCA9306DTR2G Sanyo Semiconductor/ON Semiconductor	IC TRNSLTR BIDIRECTIONAL 8TSSOP	36
SN74AVC2T244DQER Texas Instruments	IC TRNSLTR UNIDIRECTIONAL 8X2SON	0
NVT2001GMZ NXP Semiconductors	IC TRANSLATOR DUAL 6XSON	0
SN65EPT21DGK Texas Instruments	IC TRNSLTR UNIDIRECTIONAL 8VSSOP	3452
SY89222LMG-TR Roving Networks / Microchip Technology	IC TRNSLTR UNIDIRECTIONAL 8MLF	1243
74AVC2T245GU-Q100X Nexperia	74AVC2T245GU-Q100/SOT1160/XQFN	2195
SN74LVC4245ADWR Texas Instruments	IC TRNSLTR BIDIRECTIONAL 24SOIC	0
CLVC16T245MDGGREP Texas Instruments	IC TRNSLTR BIDIRECTIONAL 48TSSOP	2628
MAX9181EXT Analog Devices, Inc.	LVPECL-TO-LVDS LEVEL TRANSLATOR	2080
NLSV8T244DTR2G Sanyo Semiconductor/ON Semiconductor	IC TRNSLTR UNIDIR 20TSSOP	0
SN74LVCC3245APWR Texas Instruments	IC TRNSLTR BIDIRECTIONAL 24TSSOP	3921
SN74AVCA164245GR Texas Instruments	IC TRNSLTR BIDIRECTIONAL 48TSSOP	1626
74AVC2T45GT-Q100X Nexperia	DUAL-BIT DUAL-SUPPLY VOLTAGE LEV	4175
SN74AVC16T245GQLR Texas Instruments	BUS TRANSCEIVER	37836
SN74AVC2T45YZPR Texas Instruments	SN74AVC2T45 DUAL-BIT DUAL-SUPPLY	1993051
74LVXC3245QSCX	BUS TRANSCEIVER, LV/LV-A/LVX/H S	18783

Logic - Translators, Level Shifters

1. Overview

Logic translators and level shifters are semiconductor devices that enable signal compatibility between circuits operating at different voltage levels. These ICs ensure reliable data transmission by converting logic signals from one voltage domain to another, maintaining signal integrity in mixed-voltage systems. Their importance has grown with the proliferation of low-voltage CMOS technologies and multi-rail power architectures in modern electronics.

2. Main Types and Functional Classification

Type	Functional Characteristics	Application Examples
Single-direction translators	Unidirectional voltage conversion with isolation	SPI interface between 3.3V FPGA and 1.8V sensors
Bi-directional translators	Automatic direction detection, dual-voltage I/O	I2C bus bridging between 5V microcontroller and 2.5V EEPROM
Multi-channel level shifters	Parallel conversion of multiple signals (4-32 channels)	Memory interface between SoC and DDR4 SDRAM modules
Direction-controlled translators	External control pin for signal direction selection	UART level conversion in industrial communication modules

3. Structure and Composition

Typical devices feature a monolithic CMOS structure with dual power supply inputs (VCCA and VCCB). Physical components include:

Dual-supply MOSFET pairs for voltage translation
Integrated clamp circuits for ESD protection
Direction control logic (for bidirectional types)
Channel-specific enable/disable circuitry

Common package types: TSSOP (14-48 pins), QFN (20-64 pins), WLCSP (1.5 1.5mm ultra-compact).

4. Key Technical Specifications

Parameter	Significance
Voltage range (1.2V-5.5V)	Determines compatibility with different logic families
Conversion rate (100Mbps-1.2Gbps)	Limits maximum operating frequency
Channel count (1-32)	Impacts system integration density
Propagation delay (2-20ns)	Affects timing critical applications
Quiescent current (1-100 A)	Power efficiency in battery-powered systems

5. Application Areas

Key industries include:

Telecommunications: 5G baseband processors interfacing with RF front-ends
Industrial automation: PLC modules connecting 24V sensors to 3.3V MCUs
Consumer electronics: Smartphone PMIC to application processor communication
Automotive systems: CAN-FD transceiver voltage adaptation
IoT devices: Sensor hub interfacing between different voltage rail components

6. Leading Manufacturers and Products

Manufacturer	Representative Product	Key Features
TI (Texas Instruments)	TXB0108	8-channel, 1.2-3.6V to 1.65-5.5V translation, auto-direction detection
NXP Semiconductors	LTC2850	3.3/5V dual supply, 15kV ESD protection, RS485/UART interface
ON Semiconductor	NXU408	4-channel, 0.9-5.5V range, sub-1ns propagation delay
STMicroelectronics	L6470	Stepper motor driver with integrated level shifting for industrial automation

7. Selection Guidelines

Key considerations:

Match supply voltage ranges with source/target systems
Ensure conversion rate meets timing requirements
Choose appropriate channel density to minimize PCB area
For bidirectional buses, select devices with automatic direction sensing
Consider thermal performance for high-current applications
Evaluate ESD protection levels for industrial environments

8. Industry Trends

Development directions include:

Voltage scaling down to 0.8V core operation
Integration with signal conditioning functions
Increased adoption of capacitive isolation technology
Advanced packaging (3D TSV, fan-out WLP)
Protocol-aware smart translation (I3C, PCIe 6.0)