Nexperia USA Inc. 74LVC138APW-Q100J

Overview

74LVC138APW-Q100 from Nexperia is an automotive-grade 3-to-8 line inverting decoder/demultiplexer with three active-Low enable inputs (E1, E2), one active-High enable input (E3), and eight mutually exclusive outputs (Y0–Y7). It operates across 1.2 V to 3.6 V supply, supports mixed 3.3 V/5 V I/O via overvoltage-tolerant inputs up to 5.5 V, and features Schmitt-trigger inputs for noise immunity. It is used in automotive memory chip select decoding and address expansion.

For engineers reviewing the 74LVC138APW-Q100 datasheet, 74LVC138APW-Q100 pinout, 74LVC138APW-Q100 application, or 74LVC138APW-Q100 equivalent, key selection criteria include its AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualification (-40 °C to +125 °C), TSSOP16 package with 0.65 mm pitch, propagation delay down to 1.0 ns at 3.3 V, and demultiplexing capability using E1/E2 as data/strobe inputs.

Technical Context

The device implements a standard 3-input binary decoder logic with inverted outputs: only one Yn is LOW when all enables are satisfied (E1 = LOW, E2 = LOW, E3 = HIGH) and address inputs match n. Its triple-enable architecture enables cascading-four units plus one inverter realize a 5-to-32 decoder without external logic.

Schmitt-trigger inputs ensure robust operation with slow-rising signals, while overvoltage tolerance (5.5 V) allows direct interfacing with 5 V TTL sources in 3.3 V systems. Output drive strength supports 50 Ω transmission lines at 125 °C, confirming suitability for high-speed board-level routing in automotive ECUs.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

TSSOP16 package (SOT403-1): plastic thin shrink small outline, 16 leads, 4.4 mm body width, 0.65 mm lead 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 74LVC138AD-Q100, the PW variant offers 30 % smaller footprint and superior thermal performance in dense layouts; versus SN74LV138AQPWRQ1, it delivers faster propagation (1.0 ns min vs. 5.5 ns typ) and broader voltage range (1.2–3.6 V vs. 2.0–5.5 V), enhancing flexibility in ultra-low-power domains.

Availability

74LVC138APW-Q100 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive engine control units, ADAS camera interfaces, and body control modules requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long production lifecycles.

Supply support for 74LVC138APW-Q100 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 leading semiconductor manufacturer specializing in high-performance, high-reliability logic, analog, and MOSFET solutions, with global R&D and manufacturing facilities focused on automotive and industrial markets.

The 74LVC-Q100 series delivers AEC-Q100 qualified logic devices optimized for automotive subsystems demanding robustness, low power, and mixed-voltage interoperability-particularly in powertrain, chassis, and infotainment domains.

FAQ

What is the maximum clock frequency supported by the 74LVC138APW-Q100 for reliable decoding?

The 74LVC138APW-Q100 does not operate on a clock; it is combinational logic with propagation delay as the critical timing parameter. At VCC = 3.3 V, tpd is 1.0 ns (min) to 5.8 ns (max), supporting address changes up to ~172 MHz (1/5.8 ns) with adequate setup/hold margins. System-level timing depends on driver rise/fall times and load capacitance.

Can the 74LVC138APW-Q100 be used with a 5 V microcontroller in a 3.3 V system?

Yes. Its inputs tolerate up to 5.5 V regardless of VCC (1.2–3.6 V), allowing direct connection to 5 V GPIOs without level shifters. Outputs swing from GND to VCC, so 3.3 V logic levels are maintained-ensuring compatibility with downstream 3.3 V peripherals.

Is the exposed pad on the TSSOP16 package electrically connected?

No. The exposed pad in the SOT403-1 (TSSOP16) package is not electrically connected to any internal node. Nexperia specifies it may remain floating or be connected to GND for thermal enhancement, but no electrical requirement exists-unlike DHVQFN variants where the thermal pad is tied to GND.

How does the Schmitt-trigger input improve reliability in automotive environments?

Schmitt-trigger inputs provide hysteresis (~0.3 V typical), rejecting noise and slow-rising signals common in automotive harnesses (e.g., from solenoid switching or alternator ripple). This prevents false triggering during voltage transients and ensures clean, deterministic output transitions even with edge rates as slow as 20 ns/V at 1.65 V VCC.