Texas Instruments CD74HC368E

Overview

CD74HC368E from Texas Instruments is a high-speed CMOS hex inverting buffer/line driver with three-state outputs, designed for bus interface and data routing applications. It features two independent three-state enable controls (1OE, 2OE), 6-channel inverting logic, ±35 mA output drive capability, and operates across 2 V to 6 V supply range with -55°C to +125°C temperature rating.

For engineers reviewing the CD74HC368E datasheet, CD74HC368E pinout, CD74HC368E application, or CD74HC368E equivalent, this device is selected for high-drive, low-power bus buffering where signal inversion and independent output gating are required in industrial control, test equipment, and legacy TTL-compatible digital systems.

Technical Context

The CD74HC368E implements six independent inverting buffer stages, each with complementary input-to-output polarity and configurable three-state output control via dual enables: 1OE governs Y1–Y4 (pins 3,5,7,10), while 2OE controls Y5–Y6 (pins 11,13). Its silicon-gate CMOS architecture delivers LSTTL-compatible speed (8 ns typical propagation delay at 5 V/15 pF) without TTL's power penalty.

It supports wide-voltage operation (2–6 V), exhibits balanced tPLH/tPHL and transition times, and provides 15 LSTTL load drive capability per output - enabling robust performance under heavy capacitive bus loading while maintaining noise immunity (NIL/NIH = 30% of VCC at 5 V).

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

CD74HC368E uses a 16-pin plastic dual in-line package (PDIP-N), with nominal body dimensions 19.31 mm × 6.35 mm and 2.54 mm lead pitch. The package is through-hole mountable, RoHS-compliant (NIPDAU finish), and rated for manual or wave soldering (MSL N/A).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar hex inverting three-state buffer applications.

Compared with SN74HC368N, CD74HC368E offers identical functionality with enhanced high-reliability screening history; versus CD74HCT368E, it provides wider voltage flexibility and CMOS-input compatibility at the cost of TTL-level input threshold support.

Availability

CD74HC368E is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial control systems, automated test equipment, and military data acquisition front-ends requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long product lifecycles.

Supply support for CD74HC368E 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 logic solutions, with decades of heritage in high-reliability logic families.

CD74HC368E belongs to TI's CD74HC high-speed CMOS logic family, engineered for low-power, high-noise-immunity digital interfacing in demanding industrial, aerospace, and defense applications.

FAQ

What is the logic function of CD74HC368E?

The CD74HC368E is a hex inverting three-state buffer. It contains six independent inverting buffer stages (A1→Y1, A2→Y2, ..., A6→Y6), each capable of driving high-current loads and entering high-impedance (Z) state when its associated output enable (1OE or 2OE) is deasserted. This makes CD74HC368E ideal for bidirectional bus control and signal isolation in digital systems.

Does CD74HC368E support 3.3 V operation?

Yes, CD74HC368E fully supports 3.3 V operation. As an HC-family device, it is specified for 2 V to 6 V supply voltage, with guaranteed performance including propagation delay, drive strength, and noise margins across that entire range. At 3.3 V, CD74HC368E maintains LSTTL-compatible output levels and interfaces seamlessly with 3.3 V microcontrollers and FPGAs.

How are the output enables configured on CD74HC368E?

CD74HC368E has two independent active-low output enables: 1OE (pin 1) controls outputs Y1–Y4 (pins 3,5,7,10), and 2OE (pin 15) controls outputs Y5–Y6 (pins 11,13). This dual-enable architecture allows segmented bus control - for example, enabling four data lines while holding two address lines in high-Z - without external gating logic.

What is the maximum capacitive load CD74HC368E can drive reliably?

CD74HC368E is characterized to drive up to 15 LSTTL loads, equivalent to approximately 100–150 pF of total bus capacitance depending on trace geometry and termination. Its ±35 mA output current and low output impedance ensure stable edge rates and minimal overshoot even under these conditions, provided proper PCB layout and local VCC decoupling (0.1 μF ceramic) are implemented per TI recommendations.

Is CD74HC368E pin-compatible with the 74LS368?

CD74HC368E is functionally and pin-compatible with the 74LS368, sharing identical pinout, logic behavior, and three-state control. However, it is not a direct drop-in replacement in all cases: while CD74HC368E matches LS drive strength and timing, its CMOS inputs require VIH ≥ 3.15 V at 4.5 V supply (vs. LS's 2 V), so direct connection to older TTL outputs may require verification or level adaptation.