Renesas 74HC257P-E

Overview

74HC257P-E from Renesas Electronics is a quad 2-to-1-line data selector/multiplexer with noninverted 3-state outputs, designed for bus-oriented digital systems. It operates across 2–6 V supply, delivers 10.5 ns typical propagation delay (CL = 50 pF), supports ±35 mA output current, and features independent output control enabling high-impedance bus isolation in shared-data-path applications such as microcontroller peripheral interfacing.

For engineers reviewing the 74HC257P-E datasheet, 74HC257P-E pinout, 74HC257P-E application, or 74HC257P-E equivalent, key selection criteria include its 3-state output enable functionality, dual-input per channel architecture, DIP-16 package compatibility, and guaranteed operation from –40°C to +85°C under industrial conditions.

Technical Context

This device implements four independent 2:1 multiplexers sharing a common select input and a global output control (OC) line. Each channel routes either A or B input to its Y output based on the logic level of the select signal, while OC independently places all Y outputs into high-impedance state regardless of select or data inputs.

Its CMOS HC-series design ensures TTL-compatible input thresholds, low static ICC (≤4 µA at 25°C), and fanout capability of 15 LSTTL loads. The internal logic avoids bus contention by supporting simultaneous tri-state control across all four outputs, making it suitable for bidirectional data arbitration in legacy parallel bus architectures.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Dual-in-line plastic (DIP-16) package, 2.54 mm pitch, 19.2 mm × 6.3 mm body size, through-hole mountable. Pin 1 marked by notch or dot; pin 8 = GND, pin 16 = VCC.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar quad 2-to-1 multiplexer applications.

Compared with SN74HC157N and MC74HC257N, the 74HC257P-E offers identical functional behavior and pin compatibility in DIP-16, but differs in manufacturer-specific characterization tolerances and long-term availability commitments - critical for extended-life industrial programs.

Availability

74HC257P-E is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial control systems, test equipment signal routing, and microcontroller peripheral selection requiring stable component supply over multi-year production cycles.

Supply support for 74HC257P-E includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Renesas Electronics Corporation is a Japanese semiconductor manufacturer specializing in microcontrollers, analog, and logic devices for industrial, automotive, and infrastructure markets.

The 74HC257P-E belongs to Renesas' legacy HC-series logic family, engineered for robust performance in bus-interfacing and signal-routing applications within industrial control and instrumentation systems.

FAQ

What is the operating voltage range for the 74HC257P-E?

The 74HC257P-E operates across a supply voltage range of 2.0 V to 6.0 V, supporting interoperability with both 3.3 V and 5 V logic families. This range is validated per Renesas' Recommended Operating Conditions, with full functionality including propagation delay, output drive, and input thresholds specified across the entire span. The 74HC257P-E maintains consistent timing behavior and noise immunity within this window, making it suitable for mixed-voltage board designs without level-shifting circuitry.

Does the 74HC257P-E support true 3-state outputs?

Yes, the 74HC257P-E provides true 3-state outputs via its dedicated Output Control (OC) pin (pin 14). When OC is high, all four Y outputs enter high-impedance state regardless of Select or input states - verified by Renesas' Electrical Characteristics table showing IOZ ≤ ±0.5 µA at VCC = 6.0 V. This feature enables safe bus sharing in multi-master systems, and the 74HC257P-E's off-state leakage is low enough to prevent unintended voltage shifts on loaded lines.

What is the maximum propagation delay of the 74HC257P-E at 5 V operation?

At VCC = 4.5 V and CL = 50 pF, the 74HC257P-E exhibits a typical propagation delay (tpd) of 10.5 ns for data-to-output transitions, with a maximum of 23 ns over the full –40°C to +85°C temperature range. Renesas specifies this value under standardized test conditions (input tr/tf = 6 ns), and the 74HC257P-E maintains timing consistency across all four channels, enabling predictable synchronization in time-critical multiplexing tasks.

Is the 74HC257P-E pin-compatible with other HC-series quad multiplexers?

Yes, the 74HC257P-E uses the industry-standard DIP-16 pinout shared by SN74HC157N and MC74HC257N, with identical pin assignments for VCC (16), GND (8), Select (15), Output Control (14), and all data I/O terminals. Renesas' Pin Arrangement diagram confirms this mapping, and the 74HC257P-E's functional table matches the logic behavior of these alternatives - enabling direct substitution in existing PCB layouts without modification.

What is the industrial temperature rating of the 74HC257P-E?

The 74HC257P-E is rated for operation from –40°C to +85°C, as defined in Renesas' Recommended Operating Conditions. This specification applies to all electrical parameters including propagation delay, output drive, and input thresholds, and is validated across the full supply range (2–6 V). The 74HC257P-E meets "Standard" quality grade per Renesas' classification, making it appropriate for industrial robots, test equipment, and factory automation systems where ambient thermal stress is expected.