Application Report

SCEA030A - November 2002− Revised July 2004

Voltage Translation Between

3.3-V, 2.5-V, 1.8-V, and 1.5-V Logic Standards
With the TI AVCA164245 and AVCB164245
Dual-Supply Bus-Translating Transceivers
Craig Spurlin Standard Linear & Logic

ABSTRACT

Due to rapid migration to lower power-supply voltages, bus translators often are necessary as
an interface between separately powered components of a logic system. This application
report discusses the features of the Texas Instruments AVCA164245 and AVCB164245
dual-supply bus-translating transceivers. These devices provide active buffered bidirectional
translation of logic signals between standard power-supply ranges of 3.3 V, 2.5 V, 1.8 V, and
1.5 V. Common problems associated with voltage translation in dual-supply systems are
introduced. These problems can be solved by using features of these devices, such as
translation, overvoltage tolerance, configurability, input switching levels, bus hold,
power-supply isolation, and partial power down.
Keywords: AVC, AVCA, AVCB, 164245, logic, translation, buffer, overvoltage tolerant, Ioff,
partial power down, 1.5 V, 1.8 V, 2.5 V, 3.3 V, bus hold, configurable.

Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Interface Problems Without Level Shifting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
High-Voltage Device Driving a Lower-Voltage Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Low-Voltage Device Driving a Higher-Voltage Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Standard Solutions For Level Shifting and Configurability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
TI’s AVCx164245 Solution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
AVCx164245 Features and Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Input Switching Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Noise Margins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Configurability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Switching Waveforms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Propagation Delays at Different Supply Voltages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Output Circuit With Slew-Rate Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Power Dissipation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Static Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Dynamic Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Partial Power-Down Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Power-Down 3-State and Ioff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Floating Inputs and VCC Pins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

1
SCEA030A

Voltage-Supply Isolation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Power-Up/Power-Down Sequencing Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Bus-Hold Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Package Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Acknowledgment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Texas Instruments Literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

List of Figures
Figure 1. Examples of Circuits That Are Not Overvoltage Tolerant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Figure 2. Examples of a Low-Voltage Device Driving a Higher-Voltage Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Figure 3. Standard Input Logic Levels Accepted by the AVCx164245 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Figure 4. A-to-B Switching Waveforms With VCCA (Input) = 3.6 V . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Figure 5. A-to-B Switching Waveforms With VCCA (Input) = 1.4 V . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Figure 6. Propagation Delays vs VCCA and VCCB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Figure 7. Typical AVCx164245 Output Switching Waveform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Figure 8. Graphical Depiction of ICC and I/O Port States for Partial-Power-Down
Conditions (A-to-B Mode) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Figure 9. Partial-Power-Down Supply Current (ICC) vs VCC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Figure 10. Bus-Hold Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

List of Tables
Table 1. AVCx164245 Function Table (each 8-bit section) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Table 2. Parameters That Specify Partial-Power-Down Mode Device Currents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Table 3. Package Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Introduction
Migration to lower power-supply voltages in integrated-circuit logic components and systems is
occurring at a faster rate than ever before. This is due, in part, to the increased demand for
low-power mobile technologies and the development of advanced small-geometry
integrated-circuit (IC) processes to support high-speed applications. Due to this rapid migration,
components for these systems often are not available at a single-voltage supply node, and probably
will not be for several years, resulting in the need for mixed-voltage designs. Dual-supply
bus-translating transceivers provide a solution for interfacing these components, giving the system
designer more flexibility in choosing the functionality needed in the design.
The Texas Instruments AVCA164245 and AVCB164245{ provide such a solution for translation
between logic levels in the 3.3-V, 2.5-V, 1.8-V, and 1.5-V power-supply ranges. These devices are
fully configurable for translation between any two of the above logic standards, in either the A-to-B or
B-to-A direction. The OE and DIR pins are controlled by VCCA on the AVCA device, and by VCCB on
the AVCB device. An output driver with slew-rate control provides high dynamic-drive capability,
while reducing switching noise. The device supports partial-power-down applications by
incorporating overvoltage-tolerant inputs and outputs, power-supply isolation, and powered-down
(VCC = 0 V) 3-state mode. Bus-hold options also are available.
† The AVCA and AVCB versions will be referred to collectively as the AVCx164245 throughout the remainder of this application report.

2 Voltage Translation Between 3.3-V, 2.5-V, 1.8-V, and 1.5-V Logic Standards
 SCEA030A

Interface Problems Without Level Shifting

When interfacing between components using different logic-level standards, two obvious conditions
arise:
• A high-voltage device may drive a lower-voltage device.
• A low-voltage device may drive a higher-voltage device.
Each condition presents a unique set of problems that affect proper operation of the system.

High-Voltage Device Driving a Lower-Voltage Device

High-voltage logic often can reliably drive lower-voltage logic without special translation circuitry as
long as two conditions are met:
• The input pins of the receiving device must be specified to be tolerant to the higher voltage.
• The logic swing must pass through the VIL and VIH voltage levels specified for the receiving
device.
For example, a 3.3-V device with a CMOS output buffer can drive a 2.5-V device if the latter is
overvoltage tolerant because the output rail-to-rail logic swing of 0 V to 3.3 V passes through the
2.5-V device input levels of VIL = 0.7 V and VIH = 1.7 V.
However, several factors might make a receiving device intolerant of a high input voltage:
• The integrated circuit fabrication process may not support the high voltage due to gate-oxide
reliability issues (illustrated schematically in Figure 1a, TOX represents the transistor
gate-oxide thickness).
• The input may incorporate an ESD protection diode that provides a current path to VCC (see
Figure 1b).
• The data input may be a transceiver I/O port that has a parasitic diode to VCC, or output
PMOS device that can turn on (see Figure 1c). Any of these conditions necessitates the
addition of translation circuitry in the interface between the two devices.
Tox

Tox

(a) Oxide Integrity (b) Input ESD Diode (c) I/O Port Parasitic Diode
Figure 1. Examples of Circuits That Are Not Overvoltage Tolerant

Low-Voltage Device Driving a Higher-Voltage Device

Low-voltage logic typically cannot drive higher-voltage logic without special translation circuitry. Two
problems can occur when attempting to do so. One problem is that, if the voltage difference is large,
the low-voltage signal simply does not have enough logic swing to pass through the input VIH level of
the receiving device, causing the system to become nonfunctional. For example, in Figure 2(a), a
1.5-V device output driver is shown driving a 3.3-V device input circuit. The logic swing at the input
buffer never passes through the required VIH level of 2.0 V, so the input buffer may not switch.

Voltage Translation Between 3.3-V, 2.5-V, 1.8-V, and 1.5-V Logic Standards 3
SCEA030A

A second problem is that, even if the logic swing is sufficient to switch the receiving device, the VIH
level may not be sufficiently high to completely turn off the PMOS device in the input buffer. In the
example of Figure 2(b), a logic swing of 2.5 V does exceed VIH of the receiver, so the receiver should
switch. However, this condition results in high static power dissipation in the receiver. This is known
as the DICC condition. Figure 2(c) shows how a CMOS device supply current increases as its input
logic level varies from the VCC or GND rail. The closer the input voltage is to a rail voltage, the lower
the DICC current will be. Under normal operating conditions, i.e., rail-to-rail swings and fast input
edge rates, the device operates outside the high-current region most of the time.
1.5 V 3.3 V 2.5 V 3.3 V

ICC
1.5 V 2.5 V
0V 0V

0 VIL Vt VIH VCC

VI

(a) Nonfunctional (b) Functional, High ICC (c) DICC Curve

(VOH = 1.5 V, V IH = 2.0 V) (VOH = 2.5 V, VIH = 2.0 V) Typical VIL and VIH Shown

Figure 2. Examples of a Low-Voltage Device Driving a Higher-Voltage Device

Standard Solutions for Level Shifting and Configurability

Open-collector and open-drain devices offer one solution for voltage translation. The output of such
a device can be connected through a pullup resistor to a second power supply. The output VOH is
then compatible with the logic levels of the second power-supply system. There are two basic
disadvantages to this method:
• When the output is low, a constant current flows in the resistor, increasing system power
dissipation. A high resistor value is desired to minimize this power.
• The low-to-high signal transition is not an “active” transition, i.e., it is determined by the RC
time constant of the resistor and the load, and can be slow. A low resistor value is desired to
minimize transition time.
Another solution may be FET switches. In addition to their normal use as bus-isolation devices, they
can be used for voltage translation in systems where active buffering is not required. TI’s CBT,
CBTD, and TVC devices offer near-zero propagation delay, with bus-isolation capability. However,
they inherently translate only in the downward direction, with a translation difference equal to the
threshold voltage of the FET, approximately 1 V. The resulting logic level may or may not be
compatible with the desired logic standard, without adjustment, using external components. Unlike
an active driver, the FET output impedance becomes very high as the output voltage approaches
VCC. This property prevents its use in applications requiring balanced drive. See the CBT application
notes listed in the literature section for more details.

4 Voltage Translation Between 3.3-V, 2.5-V, 1.8-V, and 1.5-V Logic Standards
 SCEA030A

To solve these problems, the industry has developed dual-supply voltage-translating buffers and
transceivers with active output drivers. These have been most commonly available in
5 V-to-3.3 V and 3.3 V-to-2.5 V versions, although system power-supply voltages are continuing on a
downward trend. Many devices on the market are not fully configurable or bidirectional. That is, one
VCC and its associated data ports are fixed at the higher power-supply voltage, while the other VCC
and associated data ports are fixed at the lower power-supply voltage. Also, many devices may
present a current load to the system during partial-power-down applications, and require stringent
power-sequencing precautions.

TI’s AVCx164245 Solution

The AVCx164245 addresses these constraints by employing a 3.6-V-tolerant process and unique
circuitry. The device is designed to translate between logic levels in the 3.3-V, 2.5-V, 1.8-V, and 1.5-V
power-supply ranges in either the A-to-B or B-to-A direction. Circuitry is included to simplify bus
control and power concerns during power-supply sequencing. Two versions offer control of the OE
and DIR pins by VCCA logic levels (on the AVCA device), or VCCB logic levels (on the AVCB device).
In addition to translation between two power-supply levels, the AVCx164245 also operates when
VCCA and VCCB are equal. Although this is not the target application for a voltage-translating device
in a mature single-supply system, it allows more flexibility in selection of components when making
board-level revisions and eases the transition between single-supply and dual-supply systems.

AVCx164245 Features and Operation

The AVCx164245 is a 16-bit (dual-octal) noninverting bus transceiver configured as two banks of
8-bit transceivers. Each bank has its own OE and DIR for independent control. The device uses two
separate configurable power-supply rails (VCCA and VCCB). The A-side I/O port is designed to track
VCCA, which accepts any supply voltage from 1.4 V to 3.6 V. The B-side I/O port is designed to track
VCCB, and also accepts the 1.4-V to 3.6-V supply-voltage range. Bidirectional level shifting is done
internally, and is actively buffered, such that the outputs have full-voltage logic swings on both ports.
This allows for universal low-voltage bidirectional translation between any of the 1.5-V, 1.8-V, 2.5-V,
and 3.3-V voltage nodes.
The device is designed for asynchronous communication between data buses at different voltage
levels. Data is transmitted from the A bus to the B bus, or from the B bus to the A bus, depending on
the logic level at the direction-control (DIR) input. The output-enable (OE) input, when low, disables
the outputs so the buses are effectively isolated. The data sheet describes the logic function of the
OE and DIR pins according to the function table (see Table 1).

Table 1. AVCx164245 Function Table (each 8-bit section)

INPUTS
OE DIR OPERATION
L L B data to A bus
L H A data to B bus
H X Isolation

Voltage Translation Between 3.3-V, 2.5-V, 1.8-V, and 1.5-V Logic Standards 5
SCEA030A

Input Switching Levels

The AVCx164245 is designed to accommodate power-supply voltages and signal swings in the
standard ranges shown in Figure 3. The input switching thresholds, VT, are designed to linearly track
their respective power-supply voltages appropriate to each port, i.e., VT of the A-port and B-port will
track VCCA and VCCB, respectively. The device interprets signals above VIH as a logic high and
interprets signals below VIL as a logic low. The device can operate throughout the continuous range
of 1.4 V to 3.6 V, although it is characterized and specified at only the four standard voltage ranges
shown.

3.5
VCC
3.0

2.5 VCC

2.0
VI − V

VIH = 2.0 V
VIH = 1.7 V V
VCC
1.5 Vt = 1.5 V VCC
Vt = 1.2 V VIH = 1.17 V
1.0 Vt = 0.9 V VIH = 0.98 V
VIL = 0.8 V Vt = 0.75 V
VIL = 0.7 V VIL = 0.63 V
0.5 VIL = 0.53 V

0.0
3.3 2.5 1.8 1.5
VCC − V
NOTE A. Each standard VCC range also has a ± tolerance per the data sheet.

Figure 3. Standard Input Logic Levels Accepted by the AVCx164245

Noise Margins
For optimal noise margins, the input voltages to the AVCx164245 should switch rail to rail, which
usually is the case for CMOS interfaces. Then, the primary noise-margin concern becomes
switching-induced transients, such as ringing, undershoot, overshoot, or transmission-line
reflections. This noise should not fall into the voltage range from VIL to VIH specified for the chosen
switching standard, otherwise data corruption may result. From Figure 3, the logic-high noise
margin is VCC – VIH, and the logic-low noise margin is VIL – GND. If the driving device is dc
terminated, the VCC and GND voltages in these expressions should be substituted by using VOH and
VOL levels per the data sheet, determined by the dc drive current, resulting in reduced noise margin.
Because the A-port and B-port thresholds track their respective VCC voltages, determination of
noise margin is straightforward. However, because the OE and DIR pins may be driven from either
VCCA or VCCB logic levels (see configurability, below), care must be taken to observe the proper
noise margin based on the device type chosen (AVCA or AVCB).

6 Voltage Translation Between 3.3-V, 2.5-V, 1.8-V, and 1.5-V Logic Standards
 SCEA030A

Configurability
In general, the AVCA device should be chosen if the OE and DIR control signals are referenced to
VCCA, or the AVCB device should be chosen for VCCB-referenced control signals. However, the
configurability of the OE and DIR pins can be enhanced for future system modification by choosing
the device version that matches the lowest voltage power supply of the system. For example, if VCCA
is lowest, choose the AVCA device. If VCCB is lowest, choose AVCB. Due to the overvoltage
tolerance of the input pins, this allows the OE and DIR inputs to be driven from either VCCA or VCCB
logic levels if a system revision requires it.
This down-translation feature of the control inputs is an advantage offered by any
overvoltage-tolerant device. Overdriving these inputs does not cause a problem, and the device
functions properly, as long as rail-to-rail logic swings, with adequate noise margins, are applied. The
system designer then is free to apply either a VCCA- or VCCB-referenced signal level without causing
the interface problems discussed previously. This may eliminate the need to include additional
control-signal translation hardware in the system. The configurability offered by these two devices,
plus the symmetrical bidirectional properties of the translators, offer greater flexibility in PC board
routing, component selection and placement, and voltage-supply migration, resulting in overall
savings in system costs.

Switching Waveforms
Examples of switching waveforms during translation in the A-to-B direction are shown in Figures 4
and 5. Waveforms in the B-to-A direction look identical because device operation is symmetrical.
Logic levels at the extreme limits were chosen to better illustrate the translation feature. Industry
standards define a different test load for each power-supply range, and are specified in the data
sheet. Buffering from A (3.6 V) to B (3.6 V), with the standard test load of 500 Ω and 50 pF, is shown in
Figure 4(a), while translation from A (3.6 V) to B (1.4 V), with the standard test load of 2 kΩ and 15 pF,
is shown in Figure 4(b).
Translation from A (1.4 V) to B (3.6 V), with the standard test load of 500 Ω and 50 pF, is shown in
Figure 5(a), while buffering from A (1.4 V) to B (1.4 V), with the standard test load of 2 kΩ and 15 pF, is
shown in Figure 5(b).

Voltage Translation Between 3.3-V, 2.5-V, 1.8-V, and 1.5-V Logic Standards 7
SCEA030A

A-Input A-Input
3.5 3.5
B-Output
3.0 3.0

2.5 2.5

VI or VO – V
VI or VO – V

2.0 2.0

1.5 1.5
B-Output
1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5

0 0

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
ns ns

(a) VCCB = 3.6 V (b) VCCB = 1.4 V

Figure 4. A-to-B Switching Waveforms With VCCA (Input) = 3.6 V

B-Output
3.5 3.5

3.0 3.0
VI or VO – V

VI or VO – V

2.5 2.5

2.0 2.0
A-Input
1.5 1.5
A-Input B-Output
1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5

0 0

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
ns
ns

(a) VCCB = 3.6 V (b) VCCB = 1.4 V

Figure 5. A-to-B Switching Waveforms with VCCA (Input) = 1.4 V

Propagation Delays at Different Supply Voltages

As with any CMOS logic device, propagation delay is affected by the power-supply voltage (VCC).
The AVCx164245 is optimized for a 1.8-V to 3.3-V translation, where tpd is specified at 4.3 ns max,
and for a 2.5-V to 3.3-V translation, where tpd is specified at 3.4 ns max. Other combinations
throughout the 1.4-V to 3.6-V range were characterized to determine data-sheet limits. Generally,
the lower the VCC, the slower a CMOS device switches. In a voltage translator, an additional effect,
related to the difference in magnitude between the two supply voltages can occur. Figure 6
illustrates this effect.
Figure 6(a) shows that the A-to-B tpd,when VCCB = 3.0 V actually becomes slower than that at
VCCB = 2.3 V as VCCA is lowered to 1.4 V, because the VCC difference is greater. Figure 6(b) shows a
similar effect on the VCCB = 1.4 V curve for the B-to-A direction. These plots show simulated
worst-case propagation delays at 85°C and weak-process conditions. A constant 15-pF, 2-kΩ load
was used in this analysis to observe the VCC dependence, keeping all other factors constant. Due to
the difference in test load, these results may not agree with the data-sheet limits. Consult the data
sheet for parameter values at specified test conditions.

8 Voltage Translation Between 3.3-V, 2.5-V, 1.8-V, and 1.5-V Logic Standards
 SCEA030A

8
VCCB
7
1.4 V
6

tpd – ns
1.65 V
5

4
2.3 V
3
3.0 V
2
1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.8 3.0 3.2
VCCA – V

(a) tpd vs VCCA and VCCB (A to B)

7
VCCB
6
1.4 V
tpd – ns

5
1.65 V
4
2.3 V
3
3.0 V
2
1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.8 3.0 3.2
VCCA – V

(b) tpd vs VCCA and VCCB (B to A)

Figure 6. Propagation Delays vs VCCA and VCCB

Output Circuit With Slew-Rate Control

The AVCx164245 employs a unique output driver common to other members of TI’s AVC logic
family. During a signal transition (see Figure 7), this circuit initially lowers the slew rate to reduce
switching noise, then lowers the output impedance to provide high-current drive and, finally, near the
end of the transition, raises the impedance to limit the overshoot and undershoot noise inherent in
high-speed, high-current devices. This allows a single device to have characteristics similar to
series-damping-resistor outputs during static conditions, and similar to high-current outputs during
dynamic conditions, eliminating the need for series damping resistors. Due to the unique
characteristics of this output, the dc drive-current specifications, IOL and IOH, are not useable as a
relative indicator of the dynamic performance. However, the dynamic drive capability is equivalent to
standard outputs with IOL and IOH of ±24 mA at 2.5-V VCC.

Voltage Translation Between 3.3-V, 2.5-V, 1.8-V, and 1.5-V Logic Standards 9
SCEA030A

2.32

2.01
High Impedance
1.81

VO – Output Voltage – V
1.55

1.29

1.03

0.77
Low Impedance
0.52
0.25 High Impedance

0
20.7 21.4 22.1 22.8 23.5 24.2 24.9 25.6 26.3
Switching Time – ns

Figure 7. Typical AVCx164245 Output Switching Waveform

Power Dissipation

Two data-sheet parameters are used to calculate power dissipation: ICC – for static (nonswitching)
power and Cpd – for dynamic (switching) power. Both of these parameters are specified separately
for each of the two power supplies. A calculation of the total power dissipation of the device should
include the effects of both power-supply currents, as well as load currents, if applicable.

Static Power

The static current of CMOS devices typically is a result of only the reverse-biased junction leakages
within the integrated circuit. As a result, these devices have very low static-power dissipation. The
AVCx164245 includes a low-power bias circuit that enables its unique partial-power-down features,
but adds a small amount of ICC. Even so, the data-sheet ICC maximum limit for each supply at 3.6 V is
a low 40 µA and lower than that for reduced VCC levels. The maximum total static power dissipation
at 3.6 V can be calculated as:
PTOTAL = (ICCA)(VCCA) + (ICCB)(VCCB) = (40 µA)(3.6 V) + (40 µA)(3.6 V) = 288 µW

Because the A-port circuitry is isolated and independent of the B-port circuitry, this calculation can
be performed in the same manner for all specified combinations of VCC. Note that ICC is specified
with no dc load. If a dc load is applied, additional power dissipation may occur in each output driver
due to IOL or IOH current (in active mode), or IOZ or Ioff leakage (in high-impedance mode, typically
negligible). In active mode, the power calculation is:
PTOTAL = (ICCA)(VCCA) + (ICCB)(VCCB) + (IOL)(VOL)(NL) + (IOH)(VCC − VOH)(NH)
Where:
NL = number of outputs low
NH = number of outputs high
VCC = supply voltage of driver port

10 Voltage Translation Between 3.3-V, 2.5-V, 1.8-V, and 1.5-V Logic Standards
 SCEA030A

Dynamic Power

The dynamic current of a CMOS device is the result of switching transients within the device. Several
factors specific to a given application contribute to dynamic power dissipation, such as VCC,
frequency, number of outputs switching, and load. The power-dissipation capacitance parameters,
CpdA and CpdB, are provided on the data sheet as a convenient method for calculation of dynamic
power dissipation, considering all the above factors. As an example, consider an AVCx164245
operating in the A-to-B direction with VCCA = 3.6 V, VCCB = 2.5 V, frequency = 20 MHz, and one-half
of the 16 outputs switching into a 30-pF load. Note that one-half of the outputs switching is a
generally recognized rule of thumb for calculating typical power consumption over an extended
period of time with random data patterns.
Ptotal = Pdevice + Pload
Pdevice = [(CPDA × VCCA2) + (CPDB x VCCB2)] × f × Nsw
= [(14 pF)(3.6 V)2 + (20 pF)(2.5 V)2](20 MHz)(8) = 49 mW
Pload = CL × VCCB2 × f × Nsw = (30 pF)(2.5 V)2(20 MHz)(8) = 30 mW
Ptotal = 49 mW + 30 mW = 79 mW

Cpd is specified in the data sheet at 3.3 V only. However, for the recommended operating range of
VCC for this device, Cpd is proportional to VCC, and so can be extrapolated for other voltage ranges.
The total power dissipation also includes the static component, but in this case, as for most CMOS
devices, it is negligible compared to the dynamic component. For more details, see the TI
application note CMOS Power Consumption and CPD Calculation, literature number SCAA035B.

Partial Power-Down Applications

In multiple power-supply systems, a major concern is the behavior of the various parts of the system
as the voltage supplies are powered up or powered down. The power-up/power-down sequence
can cause some components to be active while others are in power-down mode. This can affect data
integrity, power dissipation, and reliability of system components. To avoid these problems, devices
operating from different supplies must not present a current load to the system when they are
powered down, and their input and output ports must present a high impedance to the bus. That is,
the device must block current flow from the I/O ports to VCC or GND. The AVCx164245 is fully
specified for partial-power-down applications using the parameters IOZ, Ioff, and ICC.

Power-Down 3-State and Ioff

The AVCx164245 is designed such that, if one VCC is at 0 V while the other VCC remains active, the
powered port will be in the high-impedance state, regardless of the state of the OE or DIR pins. When
a port is in the high-impedance state, whether controlled by the OE or DIR pin, or by a
partial-power-down VCC level, that port can be driven by voltages higher than VCCA or VCCB, up to
3.6 V (recommended 4.6-V absolute maximum). This is made possible by the Ioff circuitry, which
disables the outputs, preventing damaging reverse current through the upper output transistor and
its parasitic diode when it is powered down. The IOZ and Ioff parameters in the data sheet (see
Table 2) specify the maximum leakage to be less than 12.5 µA into the high-impedance port under
these disabled conditions.

Voltage Translation Between 3.3-V, 2.5-V, 1.8-V, and 1.5-V Logic Standards 11
SCEA030A

Floating Inputs and VCC Pins

In general, input pins of logic devices should not be left open or floating, with no applied voltage bias.
However, the AVCx164245 is designed to allow data ports to float as long as their associated VCC
pins also are floating, i.e., not connected to any power supply or other source of current. This causes
the other (powered) port to go into the high-impedance state, regardless of the state of the OE or DIR
control pins. This feature is useful in applications where a circuit board or cable may need to be left
disconnected from a socket providing power. The floating ports are disabled so that high power
dissipation and/or oscillations typically associated with CMOS floating inputs do not occur. However,
the powered ports should continue to be driven by valid logic levels to prevent similar problems on
those ports.

Voltage-Supply Isolation
The two power supplies of the AVCx164245 are isolated electrically from each other, which means
that practically no current will flow between the VCCA and VCCB pins under recommended operating
conditions, including partial power down. This is specified in the data sheet as a subset of the ICC
parameter (see Table 2). The current of the VCC supply that is powered up is specified as a positive
40-mA maximum (at 3.6 V), and accounts for internal leakage and bias currents. The current of the
VCC supply that is powered down (0 V) is specified as a negative 10 mA to account for internal
leakage between supplies. Note that, by convention, positive current is into the pin, and negative
current is out of the pin.

Table 2. Parameters That Specify Partial-Power-Down Mode Device Currents

PARAMETER TEST CONDITIONS VCCA VCCB MIN MAX UNITS
A or B ports VO = VCCO or GND, VI = VIH or VIL, OE = VIH 3.6 V 3.6 V ±12.5
IOZ B port 0V 3.6 V ±12.5 µA
VO = VCCO or GND, VI = VIH or VIL, OE = VIH or VIL
A port 3.6 V 0V ±12.5
A port 0V 0 to 3.6 V ±10
Ioff VI or VO = 0 to 3.6 V µA
B port 0 to 3.6 V 0V ±10
0V 3.6 V –10
ICCA VI = VCCI or GND, IO = 0 µA
3.6 V 0V 40
0V 3.6 V 40
ICCB VI = VCCI or GND, IO = 0 µA
3.6 V 0V –10

Figure 8 graphically depicts ICC and I/O port states during the partial-power-down conditions
mentioned previously. Figure 8(a) shows the normal operating mode with both VCC supplies
powered up. Assuming that OE and DIR are selecting the A-to-B mode, the A port is configured as an
input, and the B-port is an output. Both VCC pins sink ICC current per the data-sheet specification.
Figures 8(b) and 8(c) show what happens when one VCC is powered down (VCC = 0 V). All output
drivers are disabled into the high-impedance state. The inputs referenced to the 0-V supply are
disabled. The inputs referenced to the powered-up side are enabled and, as such, should be biased
with valid logic signals to avoid high DICC currents or oscillations. Figure 8(d) shows that when both
power supplies are powered down, all inputs and outputs are disabled in the high-impedance state.

12 Voltage Translation Between 3.3-V, 2.5-V, 1.8-V, and 1.5-V Logic Standards
 SCEA030A

3.3 V 3.3 V 0.0 V 3.3 V

40 mA 40 mA 10 mA 40 mA

Input Input Input Input

VCCA VCCB VCCA VCCB
Enabled Enabled Disabled Enabled
A B A B
Output Output Output Output
High-Z Active High-Z High-Z
(a) (b)

3.3 V 0.0 V 0.0 V 0.0 V

40 mA 10 mA 0 mA 0 mA

Input Input Input Input

VCCA VCCB VCCA VCCB
Enabled Disabled Disabled Disabled
A B A B
Output Output Output Output
High-Z High-Z High-Z High-Z
(c) (d)

Figure 8. Graphical Depiction of ICC and I/O Port States

for Partial-Power-Down Conditions (A-to-B Mode)

Power-Up/Power-Down Sequencing Precautions

The AVCx164245 is quite tolerant of power-supply sequencing. However, a few precautions should
be observed to ensure that bus contention, excessive currents, or oscillations do not occur:
1. Connect ground before any supply voltage is applied.
2. Either VCC can be powered up first. Inputs associated with that VCC should receive valid logic
levels. The other VCC, at 0 V, causes all outputs to be in the high-impedance state.
3. DIR should ramp with VCCA (AVCA) or VCCB (AVCB), or the highest of the two (see the
Configurability section) for A-to-B mode, or should be at ground for B-to-A mode.
4. Power up the second VCC. A pullup resistor from OE to VCCA (AVCA) or VCCB (AVCB) ensures
that both ports remain in the high-impedance state. The minimum value of the resistor is
determined by the current-sinking capability of the driver.
5. Reverse the above sequence for a power-down operation.
Typical laboratory data of partial-power-down supply currents vs a ramping VCC is shown in Figure
9. The device was in A-to-B mode, DIR tied to VCCA, OE grounded, and no dc load on the outputs. As
expected, ICC of the ramping supply increases with supply voltage. ICC of the steady supply remains
fairly constant, with the exception of a small spike below the recommended operating conditions,
where the power-down 3-state circuit deactivates.

Voltage Translation Between 3.3-V, 2.5-V, 1.8-V, and 1.5-V Logic Standards 13
SCEA030A

ICCA and ICCB vs VCCA ICCA and ICCB vs VCCB

(Ramp VCCA While VCCB = 3.6 V) (Ramp VCCB While VCCA = 3.6 V)
35 35
30 30 ICCA
ICCB
35 35
ICC – mA

ICC – mA
20 20
25 ICCA 25 ICCB
10 10
5 5
0 0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5
VCCA – V VCCB – V

Figure 9. Partial-Power-Down Supply Current (ICC) vs VCC

Bus-Hold Options
The AVCx164245 also is available in a bus-hold version, designated as the AVCxH164245. Bus hold
essentially is a weak latch integrated into each I/O port to prevent floating inputs. In the input
schematic of Figure 10, transistors Q3 and Q4 form the bus-hold drivers for the input inverter
composed of transistors Q1 and Q2. Diode D2 is added to prevent current flow through parasitic
diode D3 and transistor Q3 during overvoltage or partial-power-down events. This circuit will hold an
attached bus in its previous logic state if the bus is not driven by another device. This prevents the
voltage on the high-impedance bus from drifting to an intermediate state between logic 0 and logic 1,
which could lead to oscillations and high power dissipation in devices attached to the bus.
The AVCxH164245, with bus hold, is more robust for partial-power-down applications because it
holds the enabled inputs at a valid logic level until another device takes control of the bus. Integrated
bus hold eliminates the need for external pullup/pulldown resistors on the I/O ports. In fact, resistors
are not recommended because they may form a voltage divider with the bus-hold circuit, presenting
an invalid logic state on the bus. For a detailed description of the bus-hold feature, see TI application
report Bus-Hold Circuit literature number SCLA015.
VCC

Q1 Q3
D3

D2
Input

Internal
Circuit
D1
D4
Q2 Q4
GND

Figure 10. Bus-Hold Circuit

14 Voltage Translation Between 3.3-V, 2.5-V, 1.8-V, and 1.5-V Logic Standards
 SCEA030A

Package Options
The AVCx164245 pin layout was designed to be compatible with other standard SN74xxx16245
devices, further easing the transition from single-power-supply to dual-power-supply systems. The
VCCA and VCCB pins simply can be connected together for single-supply applications. The
flow-through data path simplifies printed circuit board layout, and the distributed power and ground
pins help minimize switching noise. The device is available in the packages shown in Table 3.

Table 3. Package Options

Pins Description TI Designator Lead Pitch (mm) Dimensions (mm)
48 TSSOP DGG 0.50 12.6 × 8.3
48 TVSOP DGV 0.40 9.8 × 6.6
56 VFBGA GQL 0.65 7.1 × 4.6

Conclusion
Common problems associated with voltage translation in dual-supply logic systems, with VCC
ranging from 1.4 V to 3.6 V, can be solved by incorporating TI’s AVCA(B)164245 or
AVCA(B)H164245 dual-supply bus-translating transceivers in the logic interface. These devices are
configurable, symmetrical, and bidirectional, to drive full-rail logic signals on both ports, and include
features that enable robust partial-power-down applications.
These devices are members of the Texas Instruments Widebus family. TI’s advanced 0.5-micron
Enhanced-Performance Implanted CMOS (EPIC) fabrication process is used to produce the
devices.

Acknowledgement
Technical reviewer was Mac McCaughey.

Glossary
AVC Advanced very-low-voltage CMOS family

AVCA AVC translator with control inputs referenced to VCCA

AVCB AVC translator with control inputs referenced to VCCB

CBT Cross-bar technology (family of FET switches)

CBTD Cross-bar technology with integrated diode

CMOS Complementary metal oxide semiconductor (process for fabricating integrated

circuits).

DICC The difference in power-supply current when a CMOS input pin is biased at a
voltage less than full rail vs biased at full rail

ESD Electrostatic discharge

FET Field-effect transistor

ICC Power-supply current (from VCC)

Voltage Translation Between 3.3-V, 2.5-V, 1.8-V, and 1.5-V Logic Standards 15
SCEA030A

Ioff The maximum leakage current into or out of an input or output port when biased
to a specified voltage while VCC = 0 V

IOH High-level output current

IOL Low-level output current

LVTTL Low-voltage transistor-transistor logic

Noise margin For logic low (high) signals, the difference between the signal amplitude,
including noise, and the VIL (VIH) specification of the receiving device

Overvoltage tolerant The capability of a device input pin or output pin to be subjected to a voltage
higher than its power-supply voltage without being damaged

TSSOP Thin shrink small-outline package

TVC Translation voltage clamp (family of FET switches)

TVSOP Thin very small-outline package

VCC Power-supply voltage (sometimes referred to as VDD)

VFBGA Very-thin fine-pitch ball grid array (package)

VIH High-level Input voltage, above which a logic high is defined

VIL Low-level Input voltage, below which a logic low is defined

VOH High-level output voltage

VOL Low-level output voltage

VT Threshold voltage

Texas Instruments Literature

1. Selecting the Right Level-Translation Solution (SCEA035).
2. Texas Instruments Voltage-Level-Translation Devices (SCEA021).
3. Benefits and Issues on Migration of 5-V and 3.3-V Logic to Lower-Voltage Supplies (SDAA1).
4. Implications of Slow or Floating CMOS Inputs (SCBA004C).
5. Bus-Hold Circuit (SCLA015).
6. Flexible Voltage-Level Translation With CBT Family Devices (SCDA006).
7. 5-V to 3.3-V Translation With the SN74CBTD3384 (SCDA003B).
8. 3.3-V to 2.5-V Translation with Texas Instruments Crossbar Technology (SCDA004A).

16 Voltage Translation Between 3.3-V, 2.5-V, 1.8-V, and 1.5-V Logic Standards
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