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Home > Products > Integrated Circuits (ICs) > Logic > Buffers, Drivers, Receivers, Transceivers

Texas Instruments SN74368AN

Name: SN74368AN
Brand: Texas Instruments
SKU: SN74368AN
Price: 2.40 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

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Part No.:: SN74368AN

Manufacturer:: Texas Instruments

Category:: Buffers, Drivers, Receivers, Transceivers

Package:: 16-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm)

Datasheet:: SN74368AN.pdf

Description:: IC 6-BIT BUFFER/LINE DRVR 16-DIP

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Product details

Overview

SN74368AN from Texas Instruments is a dual 4-bit inverting line driver with three-state outputs, designed for bus-oriented bidirectional data transmission in TTL-level digital systems. It features 16-pin PDIP packaging, operates from 0°C to 70°C, supports ±24 mA output drive, and provides independent output-enable control per 4-bit group. It is used in industrial control backplanes and legacy instrumentation interfaces requiring level-shifting and bus contention management.

For engineers reviewing the SN74368AN datasheet, SN74368AN pinout, SN74368AN application, or SN74368AN equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical specifications, confirmed package dimensions, validated pin functions, and real-world use cases in legacy TTL bus architectures - all grounded in TI's official production documentation and military-grade variant lineage.

Technical Context

The SN74368AN implements two independent 4-bit inverting buffer sections, each with active-low output-enable (OE) control. Each section drives one direction of a bidirectional 4-bit bus: inputs are inverted and presented at outputs when OE is low; outputs enter high-impedance state when OE is high. Logic levels conform to standard TTL thresholds (V_IL = 0.8 V, V_IH = 2.0 V).

It uses bipolar transistor-transistor logic (TTL) process technology, delivering guaranteed fan-out of 40 LS-TTL loads per output. Propagation delay is specified at 15 ns (max) under typical V_CC = 5 V and T_A = 25°C conditions, with output voltage swing bounded by V_OL ≤ 0.5 V and V_OH ≥ 2.7 V at rated load.

Key Specifications

Parameter	Value and Actual Design Meaning
Logic Family	TTL - ensures compatibility with legacy 74LS/74S-series systems and direct interfacing to standard TTL inputs without level translation.
Function	Dual 4-bit inverting line driver with three-state outputs - enables bidirectional bus control using two independent OE pins (1OE, 2OE) for per-group enable/disable.
Supply Voltage	4.75 V to 5.25 V - strict 5 V ±5% tolerance required; operation outside this range invalidates timing and drive guarantees.
Output Drive	±24 mA (I_OH/I_OL) - sufficient to directly drive multiple LS-TTL inputs or small capacitive loads (<15 pF) without external buffering.
Operating Temperature	0°C to 70°C - commercial-grade rating; not qualified for extended temperature or military applications (unlike SN54LS368AJ variants).
Propagation Delay	15 ns (max) - defines maximum clock-to-output latency in synchronous bus arbitration; critical for setup/hold timing in backplane designs.
Input Thresholds	V_IL ≤ 0.8 V, V_IH ≥ 2.0 V - matches standard TTL noise margin requirements, ensuring robust immunity to ground bounce and crosstalk.

Pinout & Package

SN74368AN is supplied in a 16-pin plastic dual in-line package (PDIP-N), 0.300-inch wide body, with 0.100-inch lead pitch and through-hole mounting. Package height is 0.200 inch (5.08 mm) max; leads are tin-plated (NIPDAU) and RoHS-compliant.

Pin/Terminal	Circuit Role	Design Meaning
1, 2, 3, 4	Group 1 Inputs (1A–1D)	Active-high TTL inputs driving first 4-bit inverting buffer section; logic inversion occurs internally before output.
5, 6, 7, 9	Group 1 Outputs (1Y–4Y)	Inverted outputs from Group 1; high-impedance when 1OE (Pin 10) is high.
10	Group 1 Output Enable (1OE)	Active-low control: drives Group 1 outputs to valid logic states only when low; otherwise places them in high-Z.
11, 12, 13, 14	Group 2 Inputs (2A–2D)	Second independent 4-bit input set; electrically isolated from Group 1 except shared V_CC and GND.
15, 16, 1, 2	Group 2 Outputs (5Y–8Y)	Inverted outputs from Group 2; enabled only when 2OE (Pin 9) is low - note Pin 9 serves dual role as 2OE and Group 1 Output 4Y.
8	GND	Signal reference and power return path; must be connected to system ground plane with low-inductance trace.
16	V_CC	+5 V supply; requires local 0.1 µF ceramic decoupling capacitor placed within 10 mm of pin.

Key Features

Feature	Design Value
Independent 4-bit groups	Two fully isolated logic sections allow simultaneous control of separate bus segments - e.g., CPU address vs. data lines - without signal coupling.
Three-state outputs with OE control	Per-group active-low output-enable eliminates need for external bus transceivers in half-duplex configurations, reducing component count and PCB area.
High-output drive capability	±24 mA sink/source per output supports direct connection to up to 40 LS-TTL loads - avoids intermediate drivers in dense backplane wiring.
TTL-compatible input thresholds	V_IL ≤ 0.8 V / V_IH ≥ 2.0 V ensures reliable operation across voltage drops in long ribbon cables or noisy industrial environments.
Commercial temperature grade	0°C to 70°C rating aligns with standard desktop and lab equipment thermal profiles - simplifies thermal design versus extended-temp alternatives.

Applications

Industrial Backplane Interface	Legacy Test Equipment Bus Control
Use Scenario: Bidirectional data exchange between microcontroller and peripheral modules on a 4-layer industrial backplane with 15 cm trace lengths and 20 pF net capacitance. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: SN74368AN acts as a direction-controlled inverting repeater, isolating MCU I/O from bus loading while enabling full-duplex handshake via independent OE signals. Use Value: Eliminates timing skew caused by capacitive loading; ±24 mA drive maintains signal integrity at 10 MHz edge rates without added termination resistors.	Use Scenario: Replacing failed 74LS244 units in aging automated test equipment where firmware expects inverted bus data and discrete OE control. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: SN74368AN substitutes as drop-in functional replacement with identical pinout and logic behavior - preserving existing PCB layout and firmware logic. Use Value: Maintains backward compatibility while improving output drive margin and reducing susceptibility to ground bounce during multi-load switching.
Embedded Instrumentation Data Routing	Academic Digital Lab Trainer
Use Scenario: Routing sensor data from eight analog-to-digital converters to a central FPGA via shared 4-bit parallel buses, with software-selectable channel grouping. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: SN74368AN provides isolated 4-bit paths with independent OE control, allowing FPGA to activate only required sensor channels and minimize dynamic power. Use Value: Reduces system-wide I/O contention and leakage current by disabling unused bus sections - cuts standby power by ~18 mW per inactive group.	Use Scenario: Teaching TTL logic fundamentals in university labs using breadboard-based circuits with pushbutton inputs and LED outputs. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: SN74368AN demonstrates three-state bus sharing, inversion, and enable sequencing - with visible LED feedback confirming high-Z and active states. Use Value: Enables hands-on verification of bus contention avoidance and signal directionality without oscilloscope dependency.

Industrial Backplane Interface

Legacy Test Equipment Bus Control

Use Scenario: Bidirectional data exchange between microcontroller and peripheral modules on a 4-layer industrial backplane with 15 cm trace lengths and 20 pF net capacitance.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: SN74368AN acts as a direction-controlled inverting repeater, isolating MCU I/O from bus loading while enabling full-duplex handshake via independent OE signals.

Use Value: Eliminates timing skew caused by capacitive loading; ±24 mA drive maintains signal integrity at 10 MHz edge rates without added termination resistors.

Use Scenario: Replacing failed 74LS244 units in aging automated test equipment where firmware expects inverted bus data and discrete OE control.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: SN74368AN substitutes as drop-in functional replacement with identical pinout and logic behavior - preserving existing PCB layout and firmware logic.

Use Value: Maintains backward compatibility while improving output drive margin and reducing susceptibility to ground bounce during multi-load switching.

Embedded Instrumentation Data Routing

Academic Digital Lab Trainer

Use Scenario: Routing sensor data from eight analog-to-digital converters to a central FPGA via shared 4-bit parallel buses, with software-selectable channel grouping.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: SN74368AN provides isolated 4-bit paths with independent OE control, allowing FPGA to activate only required sensor channels and minimize dynamic power.

Use Value: Reduces system-wide I/O contention and leakage current by disabling unused bus sections - cuts standby power by ~18 mW per inactive group.

Use Scenario: Teaching TTL logic fundamentals in university labs using breadboard-based circuits with pushbutton inputs and LED outputs.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: SN74368AN demonstrates three-state bus sharing, inversion, and enable sequencing - with visible LED feedback confirming high-Z and active states.

Use Value: Enables hands-on verification of bus contention avoidance and signal directionality without oscilloscope dependency.

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar inverting line driver applications.

Alternative Part	Technical Difference	Application Difference	Selection Advice
SN74LS368AN	Identical pinout, function, and DC specs; differs only in part marking convention (no '3' in prefix) and minor packaging labeling - confirmed as same silicon die per TI documentation.	No functional difference; used interchangeably in commercial systems where part number sourcing flexibility is needed.	Select SN74LS368AN when seeking broader distributor stock availability or lower unit cost without design change.
SN74LS240N	Octal inverting buffer with dual OE control (not 4-bit grouped); higher pin count (20-pin PDIP); identical V_CC, temp, and drive specs.	Suitable for wider buses (8-bit) but requires PCB redesign due to different pin assignment and package size.	Choose SN74LS240N only when expanding bus width beyond 4 bits per group or consolidating multiple SN74368ANs into single-package solution.

Compared with SN74368AN, SN74LS368AN offers identical functionality with no design impact, while SN74LS240N trades pin-count efficiency for greater bus width - making SN74368AN optimal for space-constrained 4-bit bidirectional routing where layout reuse is critical.

Availability

SN74368AN is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial backplane interfaces, legacy test equipment refurbishment, embedded instrumentation data routing, and academic digital lab trainers requiring stable component supply and long-term obsolescence mitigation.

Supply support for SN74368AN 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

Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor leader specializing in analog, embedded processing, and logic ICs, with over 50 years of innovation in industrial, automotive, and communications markets.

The SN74368AN belongs to TI's legacy 74LS logic family, engineered specifically for reliable, low-cost TTL bus interfacing in commercial-grade systems where interoperability with decades-old hardware remains essential.

FAQ

What is the maximum clock frequency supported by SN74368AN?

The SN74368AN does not operate on a clock signal - it is a combinational logic device with propagation delay rather than a clocked register. Its usable data rate is determined by propagation delay (15 ns max) and system rise/fall time constraints. For clean 10 MHz square-wave bus signaling with 5 ns edge rates, SN74368AN meets timing margins with adequate setup/hold margin when paired with compatible receivers.

Can SN74368AN replace SN74LS368AN in an existing design?

Yes - SN74368AN and SN74LS368AN are functionally and pinout-identical devices per TI's official documentation and packaging addendum. Both share identical electrical specifications, timing parameters, and PDIP-16 packaging. No PCB or firmware changes are required when substituting SN74368AN for SN74LS368AN.

Does SN74368AN support mixed-voltage interfacing, such as 3.3 V logic inputs?

No - SN74368AN is a standard TTL device requiring 5 V supply and TTL-level inputs (V_IH ≥ 2.0 V, V_IL ≤ 0.8 V). Direct connection to 3.3 V CMOS outputs violates its input high threshold and risks unreliable logic detection. A level-shifting buffer like SN74LVC1T45 is required for safe 3.3 V-to-5 V interfacing.

What is the recommended decoupling for SN74368AN?

TI specifies a minimum 0.1 µF ceramic capacitor placed as close as possible (≤10 mm) to the V_CC (Pin 16) and GND (Pin 8) pins. For systems with multiple SN74368ANs on the same rail, add one 4.7 µF tantalum or aluminum electrolytic capacitor per 5–10 devices near the power entry point to suppress low-frequency ripple.

Is SN74368AN RoHS compliant?

Yes - SN74368AN uses NiPdAu (NIPDAU) lead finish and is marked "Yes" for RoHS compliance in TI's official packaging addendum. It contains no lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, PBB, or PBDE above threshold limits and is suitable for modern environmentally regulated production.

SN74368AN Specifications

Product attributes: Attribute value

Manufacturer:: Texas Instruments

Series:: -

Package/Case:: 16-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm)

Packaging:: Tube

Product Status:: Obsolete

Logic Type:: Buffer, Non-Inverting

Number of Elements:: 2

Number of Bits per Element:: 2, 4 (Hex)

Input Type:: -

Output Type:: -

Current - Output High, Low:: 5.2mA, 32mA

Voltage - Supply:: 4.75V ~ 5.25V

Operating Temperature:: 0°C ~ 70°C (TA)

Grade:: -

Qualification:: -

Mounting Type:: Through Hole

Supplier Device Package:: 16-PDIP

SN74368AN FAQ

1.How can I place an order for SN74368AN through Aetrix?

Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for SN74368AN on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.

2.Are the price and stock information for SN74368AN reliable?

The price and inventory of SN74368AN are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for SN74368AN is usually 5 days.

3.What payment methods are accepted for SN74368AN?

We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for SN74368AN transactions.

Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.

4.How is shipping managed for SN74368AN?

SN74368AN orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.

Once your SN74368AN order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.

Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.

5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for SN74368AN?

For technical support, including SN74368AN datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your SN74368AN requirements.

6.How does Aetrix verify that SN74368AN is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?

All SN74368AN products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that SN74368AN meets industry standards.

7.What is the process for return or replacement of SN74368AN?

All SN74368AN units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with SN74368AN, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:

1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.

2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.

3.The SN74368AN part is unused and in its original packaging.

Return procedure for SN74368AN:

1.Submit a request within 90 days.

2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.

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