Nexperia USA Inc. 74HCU04BQ,115

Overview

74HCU04BQ,115 from Nexperia is a hex unbuffered CMOS inverter IC with 6 independent inverting gates, designed for low-power logic inversion and linear analog applications including crystal oscillators and astable multivibrators. It operates across 2.0 V to 6.0 V supply, supports -40 °C to +125 °C ambient, features input clamp diodes enabling overvoltage-tolerant interfacing, and delivers balanced propagation delays as low as 6 ns at 6.0 V/50 pF.

For engineers reviewing the 74HCU04BQ,115 datasheet, 74HCU04BQ,115 pinout, 74HCU04BQ,115 application, or 74HCU04BQ,115 equivalent, key selection criteria include its unbuffered architecture (enabling linear amplifier use), DHVQFN14 thermal-enhanced package, wide VCC range, high noise immunity, and validated operation up to 125 °C in industrial timing and signal conditioning circuits.

Technical Context

The 74HCU04BQ implements six identical unbuffered inverter stages using standard CMOS technology-no internal buffering between input and output transistors-enabling direct use in analog configurations like crystal oscillator feedback loops and linear amplifiers. Its input clamp diodes allow safe interface to signals exceeding VCC when used with current-limiting resistors.

Each gate exhibits symmetrical HIGH/LOW output voltage thresholds, with VIH/VIL specified across full temperature and supply ranges (e.g., VIH = 3.6 V min at VCC = 4.5 V, -40 °C to +125 °C), and propagation delay tightly controlled (tpd = 6–18 ns depending on VCC and load). The device complies with JESD7A (2.0–6.0 V) and JESD8C (2.7–3.6 V) standards.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

DHVQFN14 (SOT762-1) package: plastic dual in-line compatible thermal enhanced very thin quad flat package; no leads; 14 terminals; body size 2.5 × 3.0 × 0.85 mm; exposed thermal pad (non-soldered by default, may be floated or connected to VCC).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar hex inverter applications.

Compared with 74HC04BQ,115 and SN74LVC04APWR, the 74HCU04BQ,115 uniquely supports analog-mode operation and overvoltage-tolerant interfacing-making it irreplaceable in crystal oscillator and mixed-voltage translation roles despite slightly higher propagation delay.

Availability

74HCU04BQ,115 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial control panels, automotive body electronics modules, and IoT sensor hubs requiring stable component supply across extended temperature and mixed-voltage environments.

Supply support for 74HCU04BQ,115 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

Nexperia is a global semiconductor expert focused on high-volume, high-reliability logic, discrete, and MOSFET solutions for automotive, industrial, and consumer markets.

The 74HCU04 belongs to Nexperia's HCU logic family-engineered specifically for unbuffered operation to enable analog functions like oscillation and amplification alongside digital inversion in space-constrained, thermally demanding applications.

FAQ

Can the 74HCU04BQ,115 be used as a linear amplifier?

Yes. Its unbuffered CMOS structure allows biasing into the linear region using external feedback resistors (R1 ≥ 3 kΩ, R2 ≤ 1 MΩ). At VCC = 6.0 V, it achieves ~20× voltage gain and 5 MHz unity-gain bandwidth-validated in Nexperia's Application Note Fig. 13 for sensor signal conditioning.

What is the purpose of the exposed thermal pad on the DHVQFN14 package?

The exposed pad on Pin 1 index area (SOT762-1) is thermally conductive but electrically isolated. It is not a supply pin; if soldered, it must remain floating or connect to VCC. It improves thermal resistance by ~20 °C/W, enabling sustained 500 mW dissipation at +98 °C ambient before derating begins.

Does the 74HCU04BQ,115 support 5 V operation with 3.3 V logic inputs?

No-inputs are referenced to VCC. When VCC = 5 V, VIH minimum is 3.6 V (at -40 °C to +125 °C), making 3.3 V logic HIGHs marginal. For robust 3.3 V → 5 V translation, use a series resistor to leverage input clamp diodes: VI may exceed VCC if IIK ≤ ±20 mA, per Table 4.

How does propagation delay vary with supply voltage and temperature?

tpd decreases with higher VCC and lower temperature: 105 ns max at VCC = 2.0 V/CL = 50 pF/-40 °C to +125 °C, dropping to 18 ns max at VCC = 6.0 V/CL = 50 pF/-40 °C to +125 °C. Typical values are 19 ns (2.0 V) and 6 ns (6.0 V) at 25 °C, per Table 7.