Nexperia USA Inc. 74LVC138APW,118

Overview

74LVC138APW,118 from Nexperia is a 3-to-8 line inverting decoder/demultiplexer with three active-Low enable inputs (E1, E2) and one active-High enable input (E3), operating across 1.2 V to 3.6 V supply, delivering <5.8 ns propagation delay at 3.3 V, and supporting mixed-voltage interfacing between 3.3 V and 5 V systems in memory chip select and address decoding applications.

For engineers reviewing the 74LVC138APW,118 datasheet, 74LVC138APW,118 pinout, 74LVC138APW,118 application, or 74LVC138APW,118 equivalent, key selection factors include its wide V_CC range (1.2–3.6 V), Schmitt-trigger inputs for noise immunity, guaranteed -40 °C to +125 °C operation, and TSSOP16 package compatibility with high-density PCB layouts.

Technical Context

The 74LVC138APW implements a standard 3-input binary-to-8-output decoding function with inverted outputs (Y0–Y7), where only one output goes LOW per valid address/enable combination. Its triple-enable architecture (E1, E2 active LOW; E3 active HIGH) enables cascading up to 1-of-32 decoding using four ICs and one inverter.

All inputs feature Schmitt-trigger action, ensuring robust operation with slow-rising/falling signals, while output drive capability supports direct termination into 50 Ω transmission lines at 125 °C - critical for timing-critical digital interconnects in industrial control and embedded logic subsystems.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

TSSOP16 plastic thin shrink small outline package (SOT403-1), 16-pin, 4.4 mm body width, 0.65 mm pitch, exposed pad not electrically connected.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar 3-to-8 decoder applications.

Compared with SN74LVC138ARGYR, the 74LVC138APW,118 offers broader voltage flexibility and lower static power, while 74AHC138PW,118 delivers superior speed in 5 V domains but sacrifices low-voltage compatibility and input overvoltage resilience.

Availability

74LVC138APW,118 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial automation, embedded instrumentation, and automotive body electronics requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long production lifecycles.

Supply support for 74LVC138APW,118 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 essential efficiency technologies, delivering high-performance logic, discrete, and MOSFET solutions optimized for reliability and energy efficiency.

The 74LVC138A belongs to Nexperia's LVC (Low-Voltage CMOS) logic family, engineered for low-power, high-speed digital interfacing in space-constrained and thermally demanding applications such as portable medical devices and smart sensors.

FAQ

What is the maximum clock/data rate supported by the 74LVC138APW,118?

The 74LVC138APW,118 does not operate on a clock; it is combinational logic. Its usable data rate depends on propagation delay and system setup/hold timing. With a typical t_pd of 2.7 ns at 3.3 V, it supports address transitions up to ~185 MHz in ideal conditions - verified via dynamic testing with 50 pF load and 500 Ω termination per datasheet Table 9.

Can the 74LVC138APW,118 drive LEDs directly?

Yes - each output can sink up to 24 mA at V_CC = 3.0 V (per Table 6), sufficient to drive standard 2 mA–10 mA indicator LEDs with appropriate series resistors. However, total ICC must remain below 100 mA (Table 4), limiting simultaneous LED count to ≤4 at full brightness without derating.

Is the TSSOP16 package RoHS and REACH compliant?

Yes - the 74LVC138APW,118 (SOT403-1) meets RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU and REACH Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006, with lead-free terminations and halogen-free molding compound, as confirmed in Nexperia's official compliance documentation dated February 2024.

How does the Schmitt-trigger input improve noise immunity?

Schmitt-trigger inputs provide hysteresis (~0.3 V typical at 3.3 V), meaning the threshold for detecting a rising edge (~1.8 V) differs from that for a falling edge (~1.5 V). This prevents multiple toggles during slow or noisy signal transitions - critical for reliable enable/strobe signaling in electrically noisy factory-floor environments.