Texas Instruments DS26LS31N
- Part No.:
- DS26LS31N
- Manufacturer:
- Texas Instruments
- Category:
- Drivers, Receivers, Transceivers
- Package:
- 16-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm)
- Datasheet:
-
DS26LS31N.pdf
- Description:
- IC TRANSCEIVER 4/0 16PDIP
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:2,227
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Product details
Overview
DS26LS31N from Texas Instruments is a quad high-speed differential line driver IC designed for RS-422 digital data transmission over balanced twisted-pair lines. It delivers 10 ns typical input-to-output delay, 2.0 ns typical output skew, operates from a single 5V supply, features TRI-STATE outputs with enable/disable control, and meets EIA RS-422 and Federal Standard 1020 requirements in industrial temperature range (0°C to +70°C).
For engineers reviewing the DS26LS31N datasheet, DS26LS31N pinout, DS26LS31N application, or DS26LS31N equivalent, this page provides verified functional specifications, package mapping to PDIP-16 (NFG0016E), confirmed RS-422 compliance, real-world timing behavior, and validated alternative options for balanced line driver selection.
Technical Context
The DS26LS31N implements four independent LS-compatible differential drivers with logically ANDed enable control, complementary outputs per channel, and output short-circuit protection. Its architecture supports unipolar differential drive into 100 Ω twisted-pair loads while maintaining <2 ns inter-channel skew under CL = 30 pF conditions.
All inputs present one unit load and are compatible with TTL/LS logic families; outputs remain high-impedance when VCC = 0V and tolerate −0.25 V to 6 V during power-off states. The device uses bipolar technology optimized for robustness in electrically noisy industrial environments.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Supply Voltage | 4.75 V to 5.25 V - Ensures stable operation across standard 5V rail tolerances without regulation overhead. |
| Input-to-Output Delay | 10 ns typical (CL = 30 pF) - Enables reliable 50 Mbps+ data rates in point-to-point RS-422 links. |
| Output Skew | 2.0 ns typical - Guarantees tight timing alignment across all four channels for synchronized multi-signal transmission. |
| Output Drive Capability | VOH ≥ 2.5 V at IOH = −20 mA; VOL ≤ 0.5 V at IOL = 20 mA - Meets RS-422 voltage margin requirements for noise immunity. |
| TRI-STATE Enable Timing | tLZ = 15–35 ns, tHZ = 15–25 ns (CL = 10 pF) - Supports fast bus arbitration and dynamic channel activation in multipoint systems. |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to +70°C - Qualified for commercial-grade industrial control, instrumentation, and factory automation applications. |
| ESD Protection | Limited built-in ESD protection - Requires handling via conductive foam or shorted leads to prevent gate damage during assembly. |
Pinout & Package
DS26LS31N is packaged in a 16-pin plastic dual in-line package (PDIP) per drawing NFG0016E, with 0.300-inch body width and standard through-hole mounting. Pin spacing is 0.100 inch, and lead finish is Pb-free CU SN.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1, 4, 10, 13 | Non-Inverting Input (A) | Accepts TTL/LS-compatible logic signals; one unit load per input. |
| 2, 5, 11, 14 | Inverting Input (B) | Differential complement to corresponding A input; enables noise-rejecting reception. |
| 3, 6, 12, 15 | Non-Inverting Output (Y) | Active-high differential output; drives + side of RS-422 pair. |
| 7, 8, 16, 9 | Inverting Output (Z) | Active-low differential output; drives − side of RS-422 pair. |
| 16 (shared) | Enable Input (EN) | ANDed with all four drivers; low = active, high = TRI-STATE disable. |
| 16 (shared) | Ground (GND) | Common reference for all inputs, outputs, and internal circuitry. |
| 16 (shared) | Power Supply (VCC) | Single 5V supply connection; outputs remain high-Z if VCC = 0V. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Quad RS-422 Line Driver | Integrates four fully independent differential drivers in one PDIP-16 package, reducing board space and interconnect complexity. |
| TRI-STATE Output Control | Single shared enable pin disables all outputs simultaneously, enabling multi-drop bus sharing without external gating. |
| RS-422 Compliance | Fully satisfies EIA RS-422 electrical specifications including differential output voltage, loading, and timing requirements. |
| Robust Power-Off Behavior | Outputs present no load to transmission lines when VCC = 0V, preventing signal corruption during hot-swap or brownout events. |
| Short-Circuit Protected Outputs | Withstands sustained output shorts to VCC or GND without latch-up or permanent damage, enhancing field reliability. |
Applications
| Industrial Serial Communication | Factory Automation Networks |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Point-to-point or multi-drop serial links between PLCs, HMIs, and remote I/O modules in harsh factory environments. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Differential line driver providing noise-immune signal transmission over 1200 m twisted-pair cables at up to 10 Mbps. Use Value: 2.0 ns typical output skew ensures deterministic timing across four simultaneous control signals, critical for synchronized motion control axes. |
Use Scenario: Interconnecting CNC controllers, servo drives, and safety-rated I/O subsystems using RS-422 physical layer. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Unipolar differential driver delivering compliant RS-422 output swing (≥2.0 Vpp) into 100 Ω loads. Use Value: TRI-STATE enable allows dynamic bus arbitration among multiple masters without external bus switches or level shifters. |
| Test & Measurement Equipment | Avionics Data Buses (Legacy) |
|
Use Scenario: Signal conditioning and long-haul transmission in automated test equipment (ATE) racks with mixed-voltage backplanes. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-speed line driver converting TTL-level trigger and sync signals to balanced differential format. Use Value: 10 ns typical propagation delay enables precise sub-microsecond timing correlation across distributed measurement nodes. |
Use Scenario: Interface between legacy avionics LRUs using ARINC 429-compatible physical layers or custom differential protocols. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Robust differential transmitter meeting MIL-STD-1553-like noise immunity requirements in EMI-heavy aircraft bays. Use Value: Output short-circuit protection and −0.25 V to 6 V power-off tolerance prevent system faults during partial power loss or maintenance disconnects. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar quad differential line driver applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| AM26LS31PC | Pin-compatible but rated for −40°C to +85°C; slightly higher ICC (max 70 mA vs. 60 mA); identical timing and RS-422 compliance. | Preferred for extended temperature deployments in outdoor or automotive-adjacent enclosures where ambient exceeds 70°C. | Select AM26LS31PC when operating temperature range must exceed +70°C while retaining same PCB layout and firmware interface. |
| SN65LBC174N | Not pin-compatible; requires 3.3V supply; lower power (ICC ≈ 25 mA); integrated fail-safe biasing; supports up to 16 Mbps. | Suitable for modern 3.3V systems requiring lower power and higher data rate, but mandates PCB redesign and level-shifting for legacy 5V interfaces. | Choose SN65LBC174N only when migrating to 3.3V infrastructure and higher-speed RS-422 links-requires full hardware revision. |
Compared with AM26LS31PC and SN65LBC174N, DS26LS31N offers optimal fit for existing 5V industrial designs needing guaranteed 0°C to +70°C operation, proven field reliability, and drop-in replacement for legacy AM26LS31-based systems without layout changes.
Availability
DS26LS31N is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial serial communication, factory automation networks, test & measurement equipment, and legacy avionics data buses requiring stable component supply and long-term lifecycle support.
Supply support for DS26LS31N 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 company founded in 1930, specializing in analog, embedded processing, and connectivity technologies for industrial, automotive, and communications markets.
The DS26LS31N belongs to TI's legacy RS-422/RS-485 interface product line, engineered specifically for robust, high-speed differential signaling in electrically noisy industrial control and instrumentation systems.
FAQ
What is the operating temperature range for DS26LS31N?
The DS26LS31N is specified for operation from 0°C to +70°C, making it suitable for commercial and industrial environments where ambient temperatures remain within this range. This range is explicitly defined in the Electrical Characteristics table of the official TI datasheet SNOSBK1C, and differs from the wider −55°C to +125°C range of the military-grade DS26LS31M variant. DS26LS31N maintains full RS-422 compliance across its entire rated temperature span.
Does DS26LS31N support true RS-422 compliance?
Yes, DS26LS31N meets all electrical requirements of EIA Standard RS-422 and Federal Standard 1020, including differential output voltage (≥2.0 Vpp into 100 Ω), input thresholds (VIH = 2.0 V, VIL = 0.8 V), and timing parameters (10 ns typical propagation delay, 2.0 ns typical skew). These specifications are verified across temperature and supply voltage ranges in the TI datasheet SNOSBK1C, confirming full interoperability with RS-422 receivers such as DS26LS32.
What package type is used for DS26LS31N?
DS26LS31N is supplied in a 16-pin plastic dual in-line package (PDIP) with drawing number NFG0016E, also referenced as D0016A in some TI documentation. It features through-hole mounting, 0.300-inch body width, and Pb-free CU SN lead finish. This package is distinct from SOIC variants like DS26LS31CM and is confirmed in TI's Package Option Addendum dated 23-Aug-2017.
Can DS26LS31N outputs be safely left floating or unterminated?
No - DS26LS31N outputs must be terminated per RS-422 practice, typically with a 100 Ω resistor across the differential pair at the receiver end. While the device includes output short-circuit protection, unterminated lines cause signal reflections that distort edge integrity and violate RS-422 common-mode voltage limits. The TI datasheet Figure 5 explicitly shows termination resistors (RT) as "optional although highly recommended" to reduce reflection-induced errors.
Is DS26LS31N pin-compatible with AM26LS31PC?
Yes, DS26LS31N is pin-compatible with AM26LS31PC - both use identical 16-pin PDIP layouts with matching pin functions, including shared enable, complementary inputs/outputs, and power/ground assignments. This compatibility is explicitly stated in the TI datasheet Feature list ("Pin Compatible with AM26LS31") and confirmed by identical logic diagrams and top-view package drawings in SNOSBK1C.
DS26LS31N Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Texas Instruments
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- 16-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm)
- Packaging:
- Tube
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- Type:
- Driver
- Protocol:
- RS422, RS485
- Number of Drivers/Receivers:
- 4/0
- Duplex:
- -
- Receiver Hysteresis:
- -
- Data Rate:
- -
- Voltage - Supply:
- 4.5V ~ 5.5V
- Operating Temperature:
- 0°C ~ 70°C
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Through Hole
- Supplier Device Package:
- 16-PDIP
DS26LS31N FAQ
1.How can I place an order for DS26LS31N through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for DS26LS31N 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 DS26LS31N reliable?
The price and inventory of DS26LS31N are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for DS26LS31N is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for DS26LS31N?
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Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for DS26LS31N?
DS26LS31N orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your DS26LS31N 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 DS26LS31N?
For technical support, including DS26LS31N datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your DS26LS31N requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that DS26LS31N is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All DS26LS31N 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 DS26LS31N meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of DS26LS31N?
All DS26LS31N units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with DS26LS31N, 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 DS26LS31N part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for DS26LS31N:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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