Logic - Translators, Level Shifters

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
SY10ELT20VZG Roving Networks / Microchip Technology	TTL TO DIFFL PECL TRANSLATOR	47709
NLSX4402FMUTCG	INTERFACE CIRCUIT, PDSO8	525000
SN74AUP1T58YFPR Texas Instruments	IC TRNSLTR UNIDIRECTIONAL 6DSBGA	3000
SN74LVC4245APWTG4 Texas Instruments	IC TRNSLTR BIDIRECTIONAL 24TSSOP	0
SN74AXC1T45DCKR Texas Instruments	IC TRNSLTR BIDIRECTIONAL SC70-6	323
NLSX5011AMUTCG Sanyo Semiconductor/ON Semiconductor	IC TRNSLTR BIDIRECTIONAL 6UDFN	271887000
TCA9800DGKR Texas Instruments	IC TRNSLTR BIDIRECTIONAL 8VSSOP	245
74AUP1T97GXZ NXP Semiconductors	LOGIC CIRCUIT, CMOS, PBCC6	60000
NXB0104PWJ Nexperia	IC TXRX TRANSLATING 14TSSOP	3572
SN74AVC4T774RSVR Texas Instruments	IC TRNSLTR BIDIRECTIONAL 16UQFN	0
74LVCH2T45GN,115 NXP Semiconductors	NOW NEXPERIA 74LVCH2T45GN - BUS	70000
74AXP1T125GMH Nexperia	IC TRNSLTR UNIDIRECTIONAL 6XSON	45961
74LVC2T45HK3-7 Zetex Semiconductors (Diodes Inc.)	LOGIC LVC 2G TRANSLATOR X2-DFN12	499015000
PCA9306DC1/DG,125 NXP Semiconductors	IC TRNSLTR BIDIRECTIONAL 8VSSOP	0
74AVC2T245GUX Nexperia	IC TRNSLTR BIDIRECTIONAL 10XQFN	0
MAX3341EEUE Analog Devices, Inc.	USB LEVEL TRANSLATOR	6651
TXS0104ENMNR Texas Instruments	4-BIT BIDIRECTIONAL VOLTAGE-LEVE	0
74AVC1T45GW-Q100H NXP Semiconductors	74AVC1T45-Q100 - DUAL-SUPPLY VOL	247660
NLV14504BDTG Sanyo Semiconductor/ON Semiconductor	IC TRNSLTR UNIDIR 16TSSOP	3648
SN100KT5541DW Texas Instruments	ECL TO TTL TRANSLATOR, 8 FUNC	2342

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)