onsemi MC10189L

Overview

MC10189L from ON Semiconductor is a high-speed ECL hex inverter with common enable, operating at –5.2 V VEE and dual VCC supplies (VCC1/Pin 1, VCC2/Pin 16), delivering 2.0 ns propagation delay (Y→Q) and 2.5 ns (X→Q) into 50 Ω loads, used in high-speed logic control and clock distribution within telecom line cards and test equipment.

For engineers reviewing the MC10189L datasheet, pinout, applications, or equivalent options, key selection considerations include its MECL 10,000-series compatibility, –5.2 V VEE bias requirement, CDIP-16 ceramic package thermal performance, and enable-controlled output disable behavior.

Technical Context

The MC10189L implements six independent inverting gates sharing a single active-low Enable input (Pin 9); when Enable is low, outputs follow inverted inputs; when Enable is high, all six outputs are forced low. It uses standard MECL 10,000-series differential input thresholds and terminated-output architecture.

Designed for operation across –30°C to +85°C with VEE = –5.2 V, it requires external 50 Ω termination to –2.0 V on each output and draws 44 mA typical supply current (IE, Pin 8). Its logic levels are defined relative to VEE: VOH = –0.890 V (min), VOL = –1.850 V (max) at +25°C.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MC10189L is supplied in a 16-pin Ceramic Dual-In-Line Package (CDIP-16), Case 620, with 0.300-inch wide body and through-hole mounting. Pin 1 = VCC1, Pin 16 = VCC2, Pin 8 = VEE, Pin 9 = Enable (active-low).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar hex inverter with enable applications.

Compared with MC10189P and MC10189FN, the MC10189L offers superior thermal stability and hermetic sealing in ceramic DIP form, making it the preferred choice for deployed telecom infrastructure and military-grade instrumentation where long-term parameter drift must be minimized.

Availability

MC10189L is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for telecom line card control, high-speed test equipment, radar pulse processing, and digital oscilloscope trigger path applications requiring stable component supply and long-lifecycle support.

Supply support for MC10189L 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

ON Semiconductor (now part of onsemi) is a global semiconductor supplier specializing in energy-efficient power management, analog, and logic solutions for automotive, industrial, and communications markets.

The MC10189L belongs to the legacy MECL 10,000-series logic family, designed specifically for high-speed, low-jitter digital signal routing in telecom infrastructure, test instrumentation, and defense electronics where nanosecond-level timing precision is critical.

FAQ

What is the recommended termination for MC10189L outputs?

The MC10189L requires each output to be terminated with a 50 Ω resistor to –2.0 V, as specified in the Electrical Characteristics table. This termination establishes correct logic voltage levels (VOH ≈ –0.89 V, VOL ≈ –1.85 V) and prevents reflections in high-speed traces. Failure to apply this termination results in invalid output states and timing violations. The MC10189L datasheet explicitly defines test conditions using this configuration.

Does MC10189L support mixed-voltage interfacing with TTL or CMOS logic?

No, the MC10189L is a dedicated MECL 10,000-series device operating at –5.2 V VEE and referenced to GND for VCC; its output voltages (–0.89 V to –1.85 V) are incompatible with TTL or CMOS input thresholds without level-shifting circuitry. Direct interfacing will cause logic misreads or excessive input current. The MC10189L is intended for use within ECL-only signal chains or with dedicated ECL-to-TTL translators like the MC10125.

What is the function of Pin 9 (Enable) on the MC10189L?

Pin 9 is the active-low Enable input for the MC10189L. When held low, the device performs standard hex inverting logic on all six channels. When driven high, all six outputs are forced to the logic-low state (≈ –1.85 V), regardless of input states. This feature allows synchronous disabling of multiple signal paths - for example, blanking outputs during system reset or calibration sequences in test equipment using the MC10189L.

Can MC10189L operate with a single power supply?

No, the MC10189L requires two distinct supply connections: VEE = –5.2 V (Pin 8) and VCC1/VCC2 = GND (Pins 1 and 16). It does not support single-supply operation. The internal emitter-coupled transistor structure depends on the –5.2 V rail to establish proper bias points and logic thresholds. Attempting to operate the MC10189L with only one supply will result in no functional output and potential device stress.

Is MC10189L pin-compatible with other MECL hex inverters like MC10116?

No, the MC10189L is not pin-compatible with MC10116. While both are MECL hex inverters, the MC10116 uses a different pinout (e.g., shared VEE on Pin 10, no separate VCC1/VCC2), lacks a global Enable input, and has distinct propagation delay characteristics. The MC10189L's Enable pin (Pin 9) and dual-VCC architecture are unique to its function set. Interchanging them would require PCB redesign and logic revalidation.