Diodes Incorporated PI5C16210KE

Overview

PI5C16210KE from Pericom Semiconductor is a 20-bit, dual-port bus switch IC with 5 Ω ON-resistance, active-low bus enable control (1OE/2OE), and flow-through pinout for simplified PCB layout. It operates from 4 V to 5.5 V, supports –40°C to +85°C industrial temperature range, and delivers near-zero propagation delay in high-speed data path isolation applications such as notebook memory expansion buses.

For engineers reviewing the PI5C16210KE datasheet, PI5C16210KE pinout, PI5C16210KE application, or PI5C16210KE equivalent, key selection criteria include ON-resistance matching, bus enable timing (tPZH/tPHZ < 6.5 ns), quiescent current (<10 μA), and compatibility with 48-pin TVSOP (K48) footprint for space-constrained embedded systems.

Technical Context

The PI5C16210KE implements two independent 10-bit bidirectional bus switches (Port 1 and Port 2), each controlled by its own active-low enable input (1OE, 2OE). Each switch channel connects A-side and B-side pins with no internal logic or level translation-only passive FET-based conduction.

Its architecture eliminates ground bounce and adds no propagation delay beyond RC time constant (≈0.25 ns with 50 pF load), making it suitable for transparent signal routing between voltage-compatible buses without timing skew or signal integrity degradation.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

PI5C16210KE is packaged in a 48-pin TVSOP (K48), 173-mil wide, lead-free and RoHS-compliant surface-mount package with exposed thermal pad (not electrically connected). Pin pitch is 0.5 mm; body width is 4.4–4.5 mm.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar 20-bit bus switch applications.

Compared with SN74CBT16210DGGR and 74FCT16210CTPV, PI5C16210KE offers superior layout efficiency via flow-through pinout, lowest ON-resistance (5 Ω), and fastest enable/disable timing - critical for high-density, low-power, and timing-sensitive bus isolation.

Availability

PI5C16210KE is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for notebook memory expansion, industrial backplane reconfiguration, docking station interface routing, and PCI-to-ISA bridge designs requiring stable component supply and long-term lifecycle support.

Supply support for PI5C16210KE 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 was a fabless provider specializing in high-speed interface, timing, and signal integrity solutions before its acquisition by Diodes Incorporated in 2016. Its products target enterprise, communications, and computing infrastructure markets.

The PI5C16210KE belongs to Pericom's CBTL (Capacitor-Based Transistor Logic) bus switch family, designed specifically for low-latency, low-power, and low-noise bidirectional signal routing in portable and space-constrained embedded systems.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency supported by PI5C16210KE?

The PI5C16210KE does not specify a maximum clock frequency because it is a passive analog switch-not a synchronous device. Its usable bandwidth is determined by RC time constant: with 5 Ω R_ON and typical 5 pF trace + load capacitance, bandwidth exceeds 3 GHz. Real-world limits arise from driving source strength and PCB layout, not the switch itself.

Can PI5C16210KE be used for level translation between 3.3 V and 5 V buses?

No. PI5C16210KE is not a level translator-it is a bidirectional pass-through switch requiring matched voltage domains on both sides. Connecting 3.3 V and 5 V buses risks violating absolute maximum ratings (V_I ≤ V_CC + 0.5 V) and may damage the device or cause unreliable switching behavior.

Does PI5C16210KE require external pull-up or pull-down resistors on OE pins?

Yes. Since 1OE and 2OE are active-low and CMOS inputs, they must be actively driven or pulled HIGH (to V_CC) via ≥10 kΩ resistors when not asserted. Floating OE pins risk indeterminate switching states, increased leakage, and potential shoot-through current during power-up sequencing.

Is thermal pad on PI5C16210KE (TVSOP) electrically connected?

No. The exposed thermal pad on the PI5C16210KE in TVSOP package is not electrically connected to any internal node. It may be soldered to a thermal plane for improved heat dissipation but must remain isolated from signal or power planes to avoid unintended shorts or noise coupling.