NXP Semiconductors N74F3038D,518

Overview

N74F3038D,518 from NXP Semiconductors (formerly Philips) is a quad 2-input NAND open-collector line driver optimized for incident-wave switching on 30 Ω transmission lines. It delivers 160 mA sink current at VCC ≥ 4.5 V, achieves 6.0 ns typical propagation delay, and features dual VCC (pins 12,13) and dual GND (pins 4,5) for low-inductance power delivery. It is used in high-speed backplane and bus termination applications requiring controlled-impedance drive.

For engineers reviewing the N74F3038D,518 datasheet, N74F3038D,518 pinout, N74F3038D,518 application, or N74F3038D,518 equivalent, key selection criteria include guaranteed 160 mA IOL at VOL ≤ 0.8 V into 30 Ω loads, open-collector output architecture, 16-pin SO package (SOT162-1), and FAST-family AC timing compatibility with 50 pF/500 Ω test conditions.

Technical Context

The N74F3038D,518 implements four independent 2-input NAND gates with open-collector outputs, each capable of sinking up to 160 mA continuously without exceeding VOL = 0.8 V when driving 30 Ω transmission lines. Its dual VCC and dual GND pins reduce lead inductance to 3 nH per supply path, enabling stable high-current switching during fast edge transitions.

AC performance is characterized using standard FAST open-collector test loads (50 pF, 500 Ω pull-up/pull-down). Propagation delay is highly sensitive to pull-up resistor value: reducing RL from 500 Ω to 100 Ω cuts tPLH by ~50% while increasing tPHL only marginally - a trade-off critical for optimizing rise/fall balance in impedance-matched systems.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 16-pin plastic small outline (SO16), SOT162-1, 7.5 mm body width, gull-wing leads.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar high-current open-collector line driver applications.

Compared with SN74F3038N and 74ACT3038D, the N74F3038D,518 uniquely balances 160 mA drive, 30 Ω line matching, and SO16 manufacturability - making it the only option among the three that satisfies incident-wave switching requirements without additional components.

Availability

N74F3038D,518 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for backplane bus termination, high-speed data acquisition interfaces, and legacy industrial control backplanes requiring stable component supply and long-term obsolescence mitigation.

Supply support for N74F3038D,518 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

NXP Semiconductors is a global semiconductor company formed from the spin-off of Philips Semiconductors in 2006, specializing in secure connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and IoT applications.

The 74F FAST logic family - including the N74F3038D,518 - was designed by Philips for high-speed, high-drive digital interfacing in computer backplanes, instrumentation, and real-time control systems where transmission-line effects dominate timing behavior.

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous output current rating for N74F3038D,518?

The N74F3038D,518 is rated for 160 mA continuous sink current per output (IOL) at VCC ≥ 4.5 V while maintaining VOL ≤ 0.8 V. This rating applies to any combination of outputs under continuous duty and is validated for 30 Ω transmission line loading. Exceeding 160 mA risks violating the absolute maximum rating of 320 mA total output current and may cause thermal overstress or parametric shift in the N74F3038D,518.

Does N74F3038D,518 support incident-wave switching, and what conditions are required?

Yes, the N74F3038D,518 is explicitly designed for incident-wave switching. To achieve this, it must drive a 30 Ω transmission line with IOL = 160 mA and VCC ≥ 4.5 V, resulting in VOL ≤ 0.8 V at the driver output. The dual VCC (pins 12,13) and dual GND (pins 4,5) configuration minimizes supply inductance (3 nH each), ensuring fast current delivery before reflections return. These conditions are specified in the N74F3038D,518 datasheet's DESCRIPTION and RECOMMENDED OPERATING CONDITIONS sections.

What is the typical propagation delay of N74F3038D,518, and how does load resistance affect it?

The N74F3038D,518 has a typical propagation delay of 6.0 ns (tPLH/tPHL) under standard FAST test conditions (CL = 50 pF, RL = 500 Ω). Reducing RL to 100 Ω decreases tPLH by approximately 50% (~3 ns), while tPHL increases only slightly. This behavior is documented in the N74F3038D,518 AC CHARACTERISTICS graph and is due to faster charging of load capacitance through lower pull-up resistance - a key tuning parameter for optimizing edge symmetry in the N74F3038D,518.

Can N74F3038D,518 be used with 3.3 V logic systems?

No, the N74F3038D,518 is not rated for 3.3 V operation. Its recommended VCC range is 4.5 V to 5.5 V, and absolute maximum VCC is +7.0 V. Input thresholds (VIH = 2.0 V, VIL = 0.8 V) are TTL-compatible but not 3.3 V–optimized; applying 3.3 V logic levels may result in marginal noise margin or undefined switching. For 3.3 V systems, a level-shifting buffer or a modern 3.3 V–compatible driver should be used instead of the N74F3038D,518.

What package type is used for N74F3038D,518, and are thermal pads supported?

The N74F3038D,518 uses the SOT162-1 package: a 16-pin plastic small outline (SO16) with 7.5 mm body width and gull-wing leads. This package has no exposed thermal pad or heatsink tab. Thermal performance relies on copper pour on PCB layers connected to pins 4, 5 (GND) and 12, 13 (VCC). The N74F3038D,518 datasheet specifies junction-to-ambient thermal resistance (RθJA) of 90 °C/W for the SO16 variant - adequate for its 40 mA max ICC under typical ambient conditions.