Texas Instruments SN74ACT241PWR

Overview

SN74ACT241PWR from Texas Instruments is an octal 3-state buffer/driver IC designed for memory address, clock, and bus interface applications. It operates at 4.5V–5.5V V_CC, supports TTL-compatible inputs up to 5.5V, delivers ≤8.5ns propagation delay at 5V, and features dual independent output-enable controls (1OE, 2OE) for flexible bus management in industrial and embedded systems.

For engineers reviewing the SN74ACT241PWR datasheet, SN74ACT241PWR pinout, SN74ACT241PWR application, or SN74ACT241PWR equivalent, this page provides verified functional modes, real-world timing behavior, package-specific thermal data, and validated alternative options for bus buffering in 5V logic systems.

Technical Context

The SN74ACT241PWR implements two independent 4-bit noninverting buffer sections, each with complementary 3-state control: 1OE enables Y1–Y4 when low; 2OE enables Y1–Y4 when high. Its ACT logic family ensures TTL-level input compatibility and CMOS-level output drive strength.

Switching performance is characterized at V_CC = 5V ±0.5V across –40°C to +85°C, with t_PLH/t_PHL ≤9.5ns, t_PZH/t_PZL ≤10ns, and t_PHZ/t_PLZ ≤10.5ns - enabling reliable use in high-speed address/data latching and clock distribution where controlled bus contention is required.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

TSSOP-20 (PW) package: 6.5mm × 6.4mm body size, 1.2mm max height, 0.65mm lead pitch, RoHS-compliant NiPdAu finish, MSL Level-1.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar octal 3-state buffer applications.

Compared with SN74ACT244PWR and SN74LVC244APWR, the SN74ACT241PWR uniquely provides dual independent 3-state enables for segmented bus control and native 5V tolerance - making it irreplaceable in mixed-voltage industrial backplanes requiring granular arbitration and legacy interoperability.

Availability

SN74ACT241PWR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial automation, test equipment, and embedded computing applications requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and RoHS-compliant TSSOP packaging.

Supply support for SN74ACT241PWR 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 solutions, with decades of expertise in high-reliability industrial and automotive-grade components.

The SN74ACT241PWR belongs to TI's 74ACT advanced CMOS logic family, engineered for robust 5V bus interfacing in noise-prone environments - emphasizing timing precision, voltage tolerance, and thermal resilience for mission-critical control systems.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating temperature range for SN74ACT241PWR?

The SN74ACT241PWR is rated for operation from –40°C to +85°C, matching the commercial temperature grade of the 74ACT family. This range supports deployment in industrial enclosures, factory-floor controllers, and outdoor-rated instrumentation where ambient temperatures exceed consumer-grade limits. The TSSOP-20 package's θ_JA = 126.2°C/W must be respected in thermal design to maintain reliability within this range.

Does SN74ACT241PWR support 3.3V logic inputs?

Yes, SN74ACT241PWR accepts 3.3V logic inputs reliably: its VIH threshold is 2.0V (min) at V_CC = 4.5V, and inputs tolerate voltages up to 5.5V regardless of supply. This allows direct connection to 3.3V microcontrollers without level shifters, provided the 4.5–5.5V V_CC rail is maintained. However, outputs swing rail-to-rail (0V to V_CC), so 3.3V-only receivers require external clamping or translation.

How does the dual output-enable architecture of SN74ACT241PWR improve bus management?

The SN74ACT241PWR uses separate 1OE (active-low) and 2OE (active-high) controls to independently manage two 4-bit buffer groups sharing the same Y1–Y4 pins. This enables asymmetric arbitration - e.g., holding one group in high-Z while driving the other - critical for time-multiplexed bus protocols or fault-isolation schemes. Unlike single-OE alternatives, it eliminates need for external logic to sequence enables, reducing component count and PCB area.

Can SN74ACT241PWR replace SN74ACT241N in existing designs?

Yes, SN74ACT241PWR is a direct functional replacement for SN74ACT241N (PDIP-20) with identical AC/DC specifications, pinout, and logic behavior. However, the TSSOP-20 package requires PCB footprint revision: smaller body (6.5mm × 6.4mm vs. 24.33mm × 9.4mm), finer pitch (0.65mm vs. 2.54mm), and different thermal vias. Layout adaptation is needed, but no schematic or firmware changes are required for drop-in functional equivalence.

What is the recommended bypass capacitor for SN74ACT241PWR?

Texas Instruments recommends a 0.1µF ceramic capacitor placed as close as possible to the V_CC (Pin 20) and GND (Pin 10) pins of SN74ACT241PWR. For boards with multiple logic devices, paralleling a 1µF capacitor nearby improves low-frequency decoupling. The capacitor must be X7R or better dielectric, mounted with minimal trace length (<2mm) to ensure effective suppression of switching noise and prevent ground bounce during simultaneous output transitions.