Voltage Translators Stuff 32 Lines In A 96-Contact Package

Oct. 27, 2003
The industry's first 32-bit-level translator, the AVCB324245, provides flexible bidirectional level translation between 1.5-, 1.8-, 2.5-, and 3.3-V interfaces. Useful in portable consumer, networking, datacom, and computing applications, the...

The industry's first 32-bit-level translator, the AVCB324245, provides flexible bidirectional level translation between 1.5-, 1.8-, 2.5-, and 3.3-V interfaces. Useful in portable consumer, networking, datacom, and computing applications, the translator allows communication between two systems with dissimilar interface voltages, all the while maintaining signal integrity and speed (3.7 ns max tPD at 3.3 V). The device also saves board space because it replaces multiple lower-pin-count devices: The SN74AVCB324245GKE comes in a space-saving 96-ball LFBGA package, which consumes less than half the area of two 16-bit translators.

The AVCB324245 is a highly integrated flexible solution for various applications, such as the level translation of signals that go between the digital GSM baseband controller and the LCD module in a cell phone. In this application, LCD data (16 bits) and control signals (10 to 16 bits) are level-shifted from the lower-voltage baseband controller (1.95 to 2.7 V) to the 2.7- to 3.6-V LCD module. It can also deal with mismatched I/O voltages between the microprocessors/microcontrollers and peripheral devices, which is a continuing problem as core operating voltages migrate lower. The AVCB324245 level-shifting logic transceiver can provide a low-noise buffered interface with the low-voltage processor and higher-voltage peripheral devices.

The SN74AVCB324245KR (96-ball LFBGA, GKE) is currently available in sample quantities. In lots of 1000 units, the translator sells for $5.28 each.

Texas Instruments Inc.www.ti.com

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About the Author

Dave Bursky | Technologist

Dave Bursky, the founder of New Ideas in Communications, a publication website featuring the blog column Chipnastics – the Art and Science of Chip Design. He is also president of PRN Engineering, a technical writing and market consulting company. Prior to these organizations, he spent about a dozen years as a contributing editor to Chip Design magazine. Concurrent with Chip Design, he was also the technical editorial manager at Maxim Integrated Products, and prior to Maxim, Dave spent over 35 years working as an engineer for the U.S. Army Electronics Command and an editor with Electronic Design Magazine.

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