Logic - Translators, Level Shifters

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
NTS0102GD-Q100H NXP Semiconductors	IC TRNSLTR BIDIRECTIONAL 8XSON	409
SN65CML100DGK Texas Instruments	IC TRNSLTR UNIDIRECTIONAL 8VSSOP	1631
MAX3370EXK Analog Devices, Inc.	LOW-VOLTAGE LEVEL TRANSLATOR	28157
LTC1555LEGN-1.8#TRPBF Analog Devices, Inc.	IC TRNSLTR BIDIRECTIONAL 16SSOP	0
SN74ALVC164245DGG Texas Instruments	LOGIC GATES AND INVERTERS	650
MC100EPT20DG Sanyo Semiconductor/ON Semiconductor	IC TRNSLTR UNIDIRECTIONAL 8SOIC	609
74AVC4T774RSVR-NT Texas Instruments	LOGIC IC	919
74AVCAH164245GRE4 Texas Instruments	IC TRNSLTR BIDIRECTIONAL 48TSSOP	0
SY100EPT23LKG Roving Networks / Microchip Technology	IC TRNSLTR UNIDIRECTIONAL 8MSOP	0
MAX3378EEUD+ Maxim Integrated	IC TRNSLTR BIDIRECTIONAL 14TSSOP	3289
SN65ELT23D Texas Instruments	SN65ELT23 5V DUAL DIFFERENTIAL P	85224
CD4504BEG4 Texas Instruments	IC TRNSLTR UNIDIRECTIONAL 16DIP	0
MC10H350M	IC TRANSLATOR PECL-TTL 16SOEIAJ	59
100ELT22MX	LVTTL/TTL TO LVPECL/PECL TRANS	19965
TXB0108PWR Texas Instruments	IC TRNSLTR BIDIRECTIONAL 20TSSOP	25727
PI4ULS5V102UEX Zetex Semiconductors (Diodes Inc.)	IC TRNSLTR BIDIRECTIONAL 8MSOP	0
NXB0108BQX Nexperia	NXB0108BQ/SOT764/DHVQFN20	3000
NLSX4401MU1TCG Sanyo Semiconductor/ON Semiconductor	IC TRNSLTR BIDIRECTIONAL 6UDFN	2067165000
MC10H606FN	TTL/CMOS TO PECL TRANSLATOR	421
MAX3377EEBC Analog Devices, Inc.	DUAL LOW-VOLT LEVEL TRANSLATOR	1139

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)