Diodes Incorporated PI4ULS3V4857GEAEX

Overview

PI4ULS3V4857GEAEX from Diodes Incorporated is a 6-bit bidirectional SD 3.0-compliant level translator with integrated 100mA LDO, supporting 1.2V–1.8V host-side and 1.8V/3.0V card-side interfaces, 208 MHz SDR104 clock rate, automatic VSD-based enable/disable, and 8 kV IEC 61000-4-2 ESD protection on card-side pins - deployed in smartphone memory card interface circuits.

For engineers reviewing the PI4ULS3V4857GEAEX datasheet, PI4ULS3V4857GEAEX pinout, PI4ULS3V4857GEAEX application, or PI4ULS3V4857GEAEX equivalent, this device is selected for high-speed SD/microSD interface voltage translation where host SoC I/Os operate below 1.8V and memory cards require 1.8V or 3.0V signaling with built-in power regulation and EMI filtering.

Technical Context

This level shifter implements dual-voltage bidirectional translation without direction control pins, using VSD as both supply and enable trigger. Its internal architecture integrates a selectable-output LDO (1.8V or 3.0V), ESD-hardened I/O buffers, and on-die pull-up/pull-down resistors (30 kΩ typ. on data/command lines) to meet SD 3.0 timing and signal integrity requirements across SDR104, DDR50, and legacy modes.

The device uses separate host-side (VCCA) and card-side (VCCB) supply domains, with automatic regulator activation when VSD exceeds 2.25 V. Propagation delay is 3.0–5.5 ns (host→card) and 2.5–4.5 ns (card→host), while transition times are under 1.32 ns, enabling reliable operation at 208 MHz with minimal skew.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 20-ball WLCSP (2.10 mm × 1.70 mm, 0.4 mm pitch), marked GEAEX per Diodes ordering code PI4ULS3V4857GEAEX.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar SD interface voltage translation applications.

Compared with TXS0108E and SN74AVC4T245, PI4ULS3V4857GEAEX uniquely integrates LDO regulation, auto-enable, and 8 kV ESD protection in a 6-channel SD-optimized package-reducing total solution size by 35% and eliminating four external components required by alternatives.

Availability

PI4ULS3V4857GEAEX is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for smartphones, digital cameras, tablet PCs, and laptop SD card readers requiring stable component supply, SD 3.0 SDR104 compliance, and compact WLCSP packaging.

Supply support for PI4ULS3V4857GEAEX 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

Diodes Incorporated is a global manufacturer of discrete semiconductors and analog ICs, specializing in high-performance, energy-efficient solutions for consumer, computing, and industrial markets.

This device belongs to Diodes' PI4ULS series of SD/microSD interface translators, designed specifically to simplify high-speed memory card integration in space-constrained portable electronics with minimal external components.

FAQ

What is the function of the SEL pin on PI4ULS3V4857GEAEX?

The SEL pin selects the output voltage of the integrated LDO: logic LOW configures 3.0V output for standard SD cards, while logic HIGH configures 1.8V output for UHS-I microSD cards. It directly controls the regulator's feedback network and must be set before VSD ramp-up to ensure correct card-side I/O voltage.

Does PI4ULS3V4857GEAEX require external pull-up resistors on CMD and DAT lines?

No - the device integrates 30 kΩ pull-up resistors on all CMD and DAT lines (both host and card sides), eliminating the need for external resistors. These are factory-trimmed and specified over temperature, ensuring consistent bus termination without layout dependency.

How does the automatic enable/disable feature work with the VSD pin?

VSD serves as both supply input and enable control: when VSD rises above 2.25 V, the device powers up its LDO and level shifters; when VSD falls below 2.2 V, it enters 7 µA standby mode, disabling translation and regulator output. This eliminates need for external enable logic in SD hot-plug detection circuits.

Can PI4ULS3V4857GEAEX support DDR50 mode with 50 MHz clock frequency?

Yes - the device fully supports DDR50 (50 MHz) as part of SD 3.0 specification compliance. Its 208 MHz maximum clock rate, sub-6 ns propagation delay, and <1.32 ns transition times provide >3× timing margin at DDR50, ensuring robust double-data-rate operation with proper setup/hold timing across all 6 channels.