Diodes Incorporated PI4ULS5V108Q1LEX

Overview

PI4ULS5V108Q1LEX from Diodes Incorporated is an automotive-qualified 8-channel bidirectional voltage-level translator IC for open-drain and push-pull interfaces, supporting up to 100 MHz down-translation and 40 MHz up/down translation at 50 pF load, with AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualification (–40°C to +125°C), flow-through TSSOP-20 pinout, and independent VREFA/VREFB biasing for flexible 0.95 V ↔ 5 V level shifting.

For engineers reviewing the PI4ULS5V108Q1LEX datasheet, PI4ULS5V108Q1LEX pinout, PI4ULS5V108Q1LEX application, or PI4ULS5V108Q1LEX equivalent, key selection criteria include bidirectional translation without direction control, hot-insertion support, 5 V-tolerant I/O, low Ron (≤10 Ω), and automotive-grade ESD robustness (8 kV HBM / 1 kV CDM).

Technical Context

The PI4ULS5V108Q1LEX implements passive FET-based bidirectional translation per channel, eliminating need for DIR control logic. Each of its eight A/B data pairs operates independently with user-configurable VREFA (0.95–4.5 V) and VREFB (1.8–5.5 V) rails, enabling mixed-voltage interconnects such as 1.2 V ↔ 3.3 V and 2.5 V ↔ 1.8 V simultaneously.

Enable (EN) is referenced to VREFB and must be pulled high via 200 kΩ resistor to activate translation; EN = low places all I/O pins in high-impedance state. Propagation delays range from 0.78 ns (CL = 15 pF) to 2.2 ns (CL = 50 pF), with dynamic performance validated for MDIO, SDIO, SMBus, and PMBus protocols.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 20-pin TSSOP (173 mil wide), lead-free and RoHS 3 compliant, with flow-through pin arrangement optimizing PCB trace routing.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar bidirectional level translation applications.

Compared with TXS0108E and NLVSX108MUTAG, PI4ULS5V108Q1LEX uniquely delivers Grade 1 automotive operation, lowest standby current (1 µA), and highest translation bandwidth (≥100 MHz down), making it optimal for thermally demanding, safety-relevant vehicle networks.

Availability

PI4ULS5V108Q1LEX is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive body electronics, industrial PLC backplanes, ADAS camera modules, and telecom baseband bridges requiring stable component supply with full AEC-Q100 compliance and long-term lifecycle assurance.

Supply support for PI4ULS5V108Q1LEX 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-reliability power management, signal integrity, and protection solutions for automotive, industrial, and communications markets.

The PI4ULS5V108Q1LEX belongs to Diodes' Pericom® automotive interface portfolio, engineered specifically for robust bidirectional voltage translation in harsh-temperature vehicle networks with zero-direction-pin simplicity.

FAQ

What is the minimum VREFA voltage supported by PI4ULS5V108Q1LEX?

The absolute minimum VREFA is –0.5 V (per Absolute Maximum Ratings), but functional operation begins at 0.95 V as specified in the Function Description. Below 0.95 V, output voltage clamping and translation accuracy degrade; 0.95 V is the lowest recommended rail for reliable 1.2 V ↔ 3.3 V or 1.0 V ↔ 2.5 V configurations.

Can PI4ULS5V108Q1LEX translate between 1.8 V and 5 V in both directions simultaneously?

Yes - each channel supports bidirectional translation between 1.8 V and 5 V when VREFA = 1.8 V and VREFB = 5 V. The device does not require direction control; low-side pull-up resistors on the 5 V bus ensure correct logic levels during HIGH-to-LOW transitions, and internal FET conduction handles LOW-to-HIGH pass-through.

How should EN be connected for proper power-up sequencing?

EN must be tied to VREFB and pulled high through a 200 kΩ resistor. This ensures EN remains low during VREFB ramp-up, placing I/O in high-impedance until both VREFA and VREFB stabilize - preventing bus contention or false writes during power-on reset in automotive ECUs.

Is PI4ULS5V108Q1LEX compatible with I²C clock stretching?

Yes - its bidirectional, directionless architecture fully supports I²C clock stretching. When a slave holds SCL low, the PI4ULS5V108Q1LEX maintains low-impedance conduction from slave to master, allowing the stretched clock signal to propagate unaltered across voltage domains without added latency or level misalignment.