Texas Instruments AM26LV31EIPWR

Overview

AM26LV31EIPWR from Texas Instruments is a low-voltage, high-speed quadruple RS-422 differential line driver with ±15kV IEC ESD protection on bus pins, 3.3V single-supply operation, 32MHz max switching rate, and 8ns typical propagation delay. It serves as a balanced-bus transmitter in industrial motion control systems requiring robust noise immunity and precise timing.

For engineers reviewing the AM26LV31EIPWR datasheet, AM26LV31EIPWR pinout, AM26LV31EIPWR application, or AM26LV31EIPWR equivalent, key selection criteria include differential output voltage (2.6V typ into 100Ω), 5V-tolerant logic inputs, dual active-high/active-low enable architecture, and TSSOP-16 package compatibility with space-constrained encoder interfaces.

Technical Context

The AM26LV31EIPWR implements four independent 3-state differential drivers optimized for TIA/EIA-422-B and ITU V.11 compliance at reduced 3.3V supply. Each channel features complementary enable inputs (G and G) supporting both active-high and active-low control logic, enabling flexible bus arbitration in multi-driver systems.

Its internal architecture delivers ±30mA output drive capability, controlled 5ns typical rise/fall times, and high-impedance outputs during power-down or disable states-critical for hot-swap and partial-power-down operation in factory automation backplanes.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

TSSOP-16 package (5mm × 6.4mm footprint) with exposed thermal pad; suitable for automated SMT assembly and thermally demanding motor drive environments.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar RS-422 line driver applications.

Compared with SN65LVDS31DR and THVD1450DR, the AM26LV31EIPWR uniquely combines RS-422 compliance, 5V-tolerant inputs, ±15kV IEC ESD, and quad-channel 3-state control in a TSSOP-16 package-making it the only option for space-constrained, mixed-voltage, high-reliability encoder interfaces.

Availability

AM26LV31EIPWR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for motor drives, medical imaging systems, space avionics, factory automation backplanes, and wireless infrastructure requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for AM26LV31EIPWR 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

Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor leader specializing in analog, embedded processing, and connectivity technologies for industrial, automotive, and communications markets.

The AM26LV31EIPWR belongs to TI's precision interface portfolio, engineered specifically for high-speed, noise-immune differential communication in mission-critical motion control and sensor data acquisition systems.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating temperature range for the AM26LV31EIPWR?

The AM26LV31EIPWR is characterized for operation from –40°C to +85°C ambient temperature. This industrial-grade thermal specification ensures reliable performance in motor drive enclosures, medical imaging chassis, and avionics bays where ambient temperatures exceed commercial limits. The TSSOP-16 package's thermal metrics-including RθJA = 107.5°C/W-support sustained operation at full 32MHz data rates within this range when proper PCB copper area and airflow are maintained.

Does the AM26LV31EIPWR require external pull-up or pull-down resistors on its enable pins?

No, the AM26LV31EIPWR does not require external biasing on G or G pins. Its enable inputs have internal circuitry that interprets logic thresholds (VIH ≥ 2V, VIL ≤ 0.8V) directly from standard 3.3V CMOS sources. External resistors are unnecessary unless implementing failsafe default states during power-up-e.g., tying G to VCC and G to GND via 10kΩ resistors to force outputs into high-impedance until firmware initializes the interface.

Can the AM26LV31EIPWR drive a 120Ω RS-485 termination load?

The AM26LV31EIPWR is specified for RS-422 operation with 100Ω differential loads, delivering 2.6V typical differential output voltage. While it can physically drive a 120Ω load, the resulting differential swing drops to ~2.2V-still above the RS-422 minimum 2.0V but reducing noise margin. For guaranteed RS-485 compliance (which mandates 1.5V min into 54Ω), use TI's THVD family; the AM26LV31EIPWR remains optimal for true RS-422 point-to-point or multi-drop topologies with 100Ω terminations.

How does the Ioff feature function in the AM26LV31EIPWR during partial power-down?

The Ioff feature in the AM26LV31EIPWR disables all output drivers and isolates the Y/Z pins when VCC = 0V, limiting leakage current to ±100μA even if bus voltages reach –0.25V or +5.5V. This prevents current backflow into unpowered sections of a modular motion controller, protecting downstream FPGAs or ADCs during hot-swap maintenance. The feature activates automatically-no control signal required-and is validated across –40°C to +85°C.

What is the significance of having both G and G enable inputs on the AM26LV31EIPWR?

The dual G (active-high) and G (active-low) enable inputs on the AM26LV31EIPWR provide hardware-level flexibility for bus arbitration without software overhead. For example, in an encoder interface, G can be tied to a microcontroller GPIO for normal operation, while G connects to a hardware fault signal-ensuring immediate bus shutdown during overtemperature or overcurrent events. This redundancy simplifies safety-critical designs in medical or avionics systems where deterministic response time is mandatory.