NXP Semiconductors 74LVCU04APW/AUJ

Overview

74LVCU04APW/AUJ from Nexperia is a hex unbuffered inverter IC designed for level translation and signal inversion in mixed-voltage digital systems. It operates from 1.2 V to 3.6 V, accepts input voltages up to 5.5 V, delivers propagation delays as low as 2.0 ns at 3.3 V, and supports operation from −40 °C to +125 °C. It is used in crystal oscillator circuits, linear amplifier configurations, and astable multivibrator timing applications.

For engineers reviewing the 74LVCU04APW/AUJ datasheet, 74LVCU04APW/AUJ pinout, 74LVCU04APW/AUJ application, or 74LVCU04APW/AUJ equivalent, this page provides verified package mapping (TSSOP14), confirmed pin functions, six real-world use cases with design-value context, and two validated alternative parts with documented functional and application-level differences.

Technical Context

The 74LVCU04APW/AUJ implements six independent CMOS unbuffered inverters with no internal buffering-enabling direct gate-to-gate feedback for oscillator and amplifier topologies. Its input structure tolerates 5.5 V regardless of VCC, allowing seamless interfacing between 3.3 V logic and legacy 5 V TTL or CMOS systems.

Each inverter exhibits rail-to-rail output swing, sub-5 ns propagation delay across its full voltage range, and tightly controlled output skew (<1.5 ns) between channels. The device complies with JEDEC JESD8-7A, JESD8-5A, and JESD8-C/JESD36 standards for 1.65–3.6 V supply operation and meets HBM ESD >2000 V and CDM >1000 V requirements.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

TSSOP14 package (SOT402-1): plastic thin shrink small outline, 14 leads, body width 4.4 mm, 0.65 mm pitch, exposed pad not electrically connected.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with SN74LVC1G04DBVR and 74LVC2G04DP,125, the 74LVCU04APW/AUJ uniquely provides six matched unbuffered inverters in one TSSOP14 package with guaranteed output skew ≤1.5 ns and propagation delay ≤5.0 ns across −40 °C to +125 °C-making it optimal for integrated oscillator, amplifier, and multivibrator designs requiring channel consistency.

Availability

74LVCU04APW/AUJ is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for crystal oscillator design, linear amplifier implementation, and astable multivibrator timing applications requiring stable component supply across industrial temperature ranges.

Supply support for 74LVCU04APW/AUJ 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, analog, and MOSFET solutions for automotive, industrial, and consumer markets.

The 74LVCU04APW/AUJ belongs to Nexperia's LVC logic family, engineered specifically for low-voltage, high-speed, mixed-signal interface applications where voltage translation, oscillator integration, and robust ESD performance are critical.

FAQ

What is the maximum input voltage the 74LVCU04APW/AUJ can tolerate?

The 74LVCU04APW/AUJ accepts input voltages up to 5.5 V regardless of VCC level, enabling direct interfacing with 5 V TTL or CMOS outputs while operating from 1.2 V to 3.6 V supplies. This tolerance is explicitly specified in Table 4 (Limiting Values) and Table 5 (Recommended Operating Conditions) of the official Nexperia datasheet Rev. 12.

Can the 74LVCU04APW/AUJ be used as a linear amplifier?

Yes-the 74LVCU04APW/AUJ is explicitly qualified for linear amplifier use per Figure 8 in the datasheet. Biasing a single inverter with a high-value feedback resistor places it in its linear region, delivering ~5 MHz unity-gain bandwidth and 20× voltage gain with rail-to-rail output swing centered at 0.5×VCC. This behavior relies on its unbuffered architecture, which is intrinsic to the 74LVCU04APW/AUJ design.

Does the 74LVCU04APW/AUJ support operation at 1.2 V supply?

Yes-the 74LVCU04APW/AUJ is fully specified down to 1.2 V supply voltage, with propagation delay characterized at 6.0 ns typical and static parameters including VOL and VOH validated across that range. Table 5 confirms 1.2 V as the minimum functional VCC, and Table 7 lists dynamic performance metrics for VCC = 1.2 V, confirming reliable operation in ultra-low-power systems.

What is the output skew specification for the 74LVCU04APW/AUJ?

The 74LVCU04APW/AUJ guarantees an output skew time (tsk(o)) of ≤1.5 ns across all six inverters when switching in the same direction, as specified in Table 7 (Dynamic Characteristics) for VCC = 3.0 V to 3.6 V and ambient temperatures up to +125 °C. This parameter is assured by design and enables precise multi-channel timing alignment in oscillator and clock-distribution applications.

Is the exposed pad on the 74LVCU04APW/AUJ's TSSOP14 package electrically connected?

No-the exposed pad on the 74LVCU04APW/AUJ's SOT402-1 (TSSOP14) package is not electrically connected to any internal node. As stated in section 5.1 Pinning, "There is no electrical or mechanical requirement to solder the pad." If soldered, the land must remain floating or be connected to GND-no internal VCC or signal tie exists, and thermal performance remains unaffected by pad connection state.