STMicroelectronics 74VHCT257AMTR
- Part No.:
- 74VHCT257AMTR
- Manufacturer:
- STMicroelectronics
- Category:
- Signal Switches, Multiplexers, Decoders
- Package:
- 16-SOIC (0.154", 3.90mm Width)
- Datasheet:
-
74VHCT257AMTR.pdf
- Description:
- IC MULTIPLEXER 4 X 2:1 16SO
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

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Product details
Overview
74VHCT257AMTR from STMicroelectronics is a quad 2-channel non-inverting multiplexer with 3-state outputs, designed for high-speed data routing in 5V TTL-compatible digital systems. It features 4.8 ns typical propagation delay at 5V, ±8 mA symmetrical output drive, and operates across 4.5–5.5 V with 4 µA max quiescent current. Used in bus multiplexing, signal selection, and level-shifting between 5V and 3V domains.
For engineers reviewing the 74VHCT257AMTR datasheet, 74VHCT257AMTR pinout, 74VHCT257AMTR application, or 74VHCT257AMTR equivalent, key selection criteria include TTL-compatible input thresholds (VIH ≥ 2V, VIL ≤ 0.8V), 3-state enable control (active-low OE), propagation delay symmetry (tPLH ≅ tPHL), and latch-up immunity for robust operation in mixed-voltage environments.
Technical Context
The 74VHCT257AMTR implements four independent 2:1 multiplexers sharing common SELECT and active-low ENABLE inputs. Each channel selects between A or B inputs based on SELECT logic level and drives a high-impedance or driven output depending on OE state.
Its C2MOS process enables 0–7V input tolerance regardless of VCC, power-down protection on all I/Os, and 2 kV HBM ESD immunity. The device is non-inverting: when SELECT = LOW, A is passed to Y; when SELECT = HIGH, B is passed - with no inversion introduced in either path.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VCC Range | 4.5 V to 5.5 V - ensures compatibility with standard 5V TTL and CMOS rails while tolerating supply ripple. |
| tPD (Typ.) | 4.8 ns at VCC = 5V, CL = 15 pF - enables sub-5 ns data path timing in high-speed address/data bus switching. |
| IOH/IOL | ±8 mA (min) - provides sufficient drive strength to fan out to multiple TTL loads without buffering. |
| VIH/VIL | 2.0 V (min) / 0.8 V (max) - guarantees reliable recognition of TTL output levels, enabling direct interfacing. |
| ICC (Max) | 4 µA at TA = 25°C - supports ultra-low static power in battery-backed or standby-critical systems. |
| VOLP (Max) | 0.8 V - limits ground bounce during simultaneous switching, improving signal integrity in dense PCB layouts. |
| Input Tolerance | 0 V to 7 V independent of VCC - allows safe hot-insertion and mixed-voltage probing without damage. |
Pinout & Package
74VHCT257AMTR is packaged in a 16-pin SOIC (Small Outline Integrated Circuit) tape-and-reel format per JEDEC MS-012, with 1.27 mm pitch and body dimensions 9.8 × 5.8 mm.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SELECT | Common 2:1 channel select input - LOW routes A to Y; HIGH routes B to Y across all four channels. |
| 2,5,11,14 | 1A–4A | Data inputs from source A - each connects to corresponding multiplexer input A of channels 1–4. |
| 3,6,10,13 | 1B–4B | Data inputs from source B - each connects to corresponding multiplexer input B of channels 1–4. |
| 4,7,9,12 | 1Y–4Y | 3-state multiplexer outputs - driven HIGH/LOW or high-impedance based on OE and SELECT states. |
| 15 | OE | Active-low output enable - HIGH forces all Y outputs into high-impedance; LOW enables normal operation. |
| 8 | GND | Digital ground reference - must be low-inductance connection to minimize noise coupling. |
| 16 | VCC | Positive supply rail - decoupling capacitor (0.1 µF ceramic) required within 1 cm of this pin. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| TTL-compatible input thresholds | VIH ≥ 2.0 V, VIL ≤ 0.8 V - eliminates need for level translators when interfacing with legacy 74LS/74F logic. |
| Symmetrical output drive | |IOH| = |IOL| ≥ 8 mA - ensures matched rise/fall times and reduces duty cycle distortion in clock/data paths. |
| Power-down protection | 0–7 V input tolerance regardless of VCC state - prevents latch-up or damage during partial power-up or hot-swap events. |
| Low dynamic noise | VOLP ≤ 0.8 V - suppresses ground bounce in multi-channel switching, preserving signal margins in synchronous buses. |
| Enhanced ESD immunity | 2 kV HBM on all pins - improves manufacturing yield and field reliability in uncontrolled handling environments. |
Applications
| PCI Bus Multiplexing | Memory Address Selection |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Selecting between two memory banks or peripheral address spaces on a shared 5V CPU bus. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Quad 2:1 data selector enabling dynamic address space partitioning without glue logic. Use Value: Reduces board area by replacing discrete gates; 4.8 ns tPD ensures no timing penalty in 25 MHz bus cycles. |
Use Scenario: Routing address bits between microcontroller and dual SRAM/Flash devices in embedded controllers. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Non-inverting multiplexer providing glitch-free address bit steering under software control. Use Value: Active-low OE allows synchronized bus isolation; 0–7 V input tolerance permits safe probing during debug. |
| Test Equipment Signal Routing | Industrial I/O Module Switching |
|
Use Scenario: Configurable signal path selection in automated test equipment with multiple DUT interfaces. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: 3-state multiplexer enabling reconfigurable analog/digital stimulus routing under FPGA control. Use Value: High-impedance outputs prevent back-driving; ±8 mA drive supports 50 Ω transmission line termination. |
Use Scenario: Isolating sensor inputs or actuator outputs in programmable logic controller (PLC) I/O modules. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Voltage-tolerant multiplexer allowing safe connection to 3.3V sensors and 5V PLC backplane. Use Value: 2 kV ESD rating withstands industrial EMI; 4 µA ICC minimizes thermal load in sealed enclosures. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar quad 2:1 multiplexer applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| SN74VHC257DR | Higher VCC range (2–5.5 V); lower drive (±8 mA typ., not min); no 0–7 V input tolerance. | Supports wider supply range but lacks robustness for hot-swap or mixed-rail probing. | Prefer when operating below 4.5 V or requiring lower voltage flexibility over ruggedness. |
| 74LCX257MTCX | 3.3 V optimized (VCC = 2.0–3.6 V); 5V-tolerant inputs only (not outputs); 3 ns tPD typ. | Designed for 3.3 V systems interfacing to 5V peripherals - not suitable for native 5V operation. | Choose only for 3.3 V core designs needing higher speed and lower power than VHCT family. |
Compared with SN74VHC257DR and 74LCX257MTCX, the 74VHCT257AMTR uniquely combines 5V-native operation, guaranteed ±8 mA drive, 0–7 V input tolerance, and 2 kV ESD - making it optimal for industrial 5V bus multiplexing where reliability trumps marginal speed gains.
Availability
74VHCT257AMTR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for PCI bus multiplexing, memory address selection, and industrial I/O module switching requiring stable component supply and long-term lifecycle support.
Supply support for 74VHCT257AMTR 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
STMicroelectronics is a global semiconductor leader headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, specializing in automotive, industrial, and power management ICs with vertical manufacturing capability.
The VHCT logic family targets high-speed, low-power 5V digital systems requiring TTL compatibility and enhanced robustness - specifically engineered for industrial control, test equipment, and legacy bus interface applications.
FAQ
Can 74VHCT257AMTR operate with a 3.3V supply?
No. The 74VHCT257AMTR is specified only for 4.5–5.5 V operation per its Recommended Operating Conditions table. At 3.3 V, VIH and VIL thresholds become unreliable, and output drive falls outside specification. For 3.3 V systems, consider 74LCX257 or 74ALVC257 instead.
What happens to outputs when OE is HIGH and SELECT is toggled?
When OE is HIGH (active-low disabled), all four Y outputs remain in high-impedance state regardless of SELECT or A/B input states. Toggling SELECT has no effect on outputs - they stay floating and electrically isolated from the bus.
Is the 74VHCT257AMTR pin-compatible with standard 74LS257?
Yes - it is functionally and pin-for-pin compatible with 74LS257 and 74S257, including identical pin numbering, SELECT/OE placement, and A/B/Y mapping. However, VHCT offers superior noise immunity, lower ICC, and 0–7 V input tolerance not found in LS/S families.
Does the device require external pull-up or pull-down resistors on SELECT or OE?
No - internal circuitry ensures defined logic states at power-up. OE and SELECT have no weak internal bias; however, system-level design should actively drive these inputs to avoid metastability. Floating OE risks unintended output enable, so tie-off is recommended if unused.
74VHCT257AMTR Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- STMicroelectronics
- Series:
- 74VHCT
- Package/Case:
- 16-SOIC (0.154", 3.90mm Width)
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- Type:
- Multiplexer
- Circuit:
- 4 x 2:1
- Independent Circuits:
- 1
- Current - Output High, Low:
- 8mA, 8mA
- Voltage Supply Source:
- Single Supply
- Voltage - Supply:
- 4.5V ~ 5.5V
- Operating Temperature:
- -55°C ~ 125°C
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- 16-SO
74VHCT257AMTR FAQ
1.How can I place an order for 74VHCT257AMTR through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for 74VHCT257AMTR on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.
2.Are the price and stock information for 74VHCT257AMTR reliable?
The price and inventory of 74VHCT257AMTR are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for 74VHCT257AMTR is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for 74VHCT257AMTR?
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74VHCT257AMTR orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your 74VHCT257AMTR order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.
Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.
5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for 74VHCT257AMTR?
For technical support, including 74VHCT257AMTR datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your 74VHCT257AMTR requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that 74VHCT257AMTR is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All 74VHCT257AMTR products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that 74VHCT257AMTR meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of 74VHCT257AMTR?
All 74VHCT257AMTR units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with 74VHCT257AMTR, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:
1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.
2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.
3.The 74VHCT257AMTR part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for 74VHCT257AMTR:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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