Diodes Incorporated PI3CH281LE

Overview

PI3CH281LE from Pericom Semiconductor is a low-voltage, high-bandwidth 2-channel 4:1 analog multiplexer/demultiplexer with single enable control and 3-state outputs. It features 5 Ω on-resistance, 300 MHz –3 dB bandwidth, near-zero propagation delay (0.3 ns), and operates from 2.5 V or 3.3 V supplies while tolerating 5 V I/O. It is used in high-speed signal routing for PCIe Gen1/2 reference clock switching and DDR memory bus isolation.

For engineers reviewing the PI3CH281LE datasheet, PI3CH281LE pinout, PI3CH281LE application, or PI3CH281LE equivalent, key selection criteria include switch bandwidth, on-resistance matching across channels, enable timing (tPZH/tPHZ ≤ 9.0 ns at 3.3 V), rail-to-rail input tolerance, and industrial temperature support (–40°C to +85°C).

Technical Context

The PI3CH281LE implements dual independent 4:1 analog switches using CMOS transmission-gate architecture, each with dedicated S0/S1 select lines and shared EN control. Its NanoSwitch™ design minimizes charge injection and ground bounce, enabling clean signal pass-through without added propagation delay beyond RC time constant (~0.3 ns for 10 pF load).

It supports hot insertion and rail-to-rail logic inputs up to 3.6 V regardless of supply voltage (2.5 V or 3.3 V), and includes integrated 2 kV HBM ESD protection and latch-up immunity >250 mA per JESD17. The device maintains < ±0.5 dB flatness up to 200 MHz and achieves –60 dB crosstalk and off-isolation.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

PI3CH281LE is packaged in a Pb-free, green 16-pin TSSOP (173-mil width) with 0.65 mm pitch and exposed thermal pad. Pin 1 is marked by a beveled corner.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar analog multiplexer applications.

Compared with TS3USB30E and ADG732BRUZ, PI3CH281LE uniquely delivers dual 4:1 topology with 300 MHz bandwidth, 2.5/3.3 V dual-supply flexibility, and sub-10 ns enable timing-making it optimal for high-speed, low-latency parallel signal routing in telecom and computing infrastructure.

Availability

PI3CH281LE is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for PCIe clock switching, DDR memory isolation, FPGA I/O reconfiguration, and multi-source video routing requiring stable component supply and long-term industrial-grade availability.

Supply support for PI3CH281LE 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

Pericom Semiconductor (now part of Diodes Incorporated) specialized in high-speed interface and signal integrity solutions for computing, communications, and consumer electronics before its 2016 acquisition.

The PI3CH281 belongs to Pericom's NanoSwitch™ family, engineered for ultra-low-distortion analog signal routing in high-speed digital systems where timing integrity, bandwidth preservation, and power efficiency are critical.

FAQ

What is the maximum signal frequency supported by PI3CH281LE without significant attenuation?

The PI3CH281LE maintains –3 dB bandwidth up to 300 MHz, meaning signals below this frequency experience ≤3 dB insertion loss. At 200 MHz, flatness is within ±0.5 dB, making it suitable for PCIe Gen2 (100 MHz differential), HDMI TMDS clock (165 MHz), and DDR2 address strobes (266 MHz). Performance degrades above 300 MHz due to parasitic capacitance and RON–CL time constant.

Can PI3CH281LE operate with 2.5 V supply while accepting 3.3 V logic inputs on EN and S0/S1?

Yes. The device supports rail-to-rail logic inputs up to 3.6 V independent of supply voltage. With VCC = 2.5 V, EN, S0, and S1 may be driven from 0 V to 3.6 V, enabling direct interface to 3.3 V microcontrollers or FPGAs without level-shifting circuitry. This is explicitly guaranteed in the DC Electrical Characteristics table for 2.5 V supply.

Does PI3CH281LE require external termination resistors for 50 Ω systems?

No external termination is required for basic operation, but system-level impedance matching depends on layout. The 5 Ω on-resistance and 15 pF ON-capacitance result in a characteristic impedance near 50 Ω only when combined with controlled PCB trace geometry. For optimal 50 Ω signal integrity, maintain 50 Ω microstrip routing and place decoupling capacitors ≤5 mm from VCC/GND pins.

How does the enable timing affect simultaneous switching of both channels?

EN controls both YA and YB identically with tPZH/tPHZ ≤ 9.0 ns (3.3 V) and ≤15.0 ns (2.5 V). Propagation skew between channels is minimized by shared enable path and matched internal routing. Measured pulse skew (tSK(p)) is |tPHL – tPLH| ≤ 0.3 ns, ensuring synchronized channel disable/enable-critical for avoiding momentary bus contention in dual-bus applications.