Texas Instruments SN74BCT541AN
- Part No.:
- SN74BCT541AN
- Manufacturer:
- Texas Instruments
- Package:
- 20-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm)
- Datasheet:
-
SN74BCT541AN.pdf
- Description:
- IC BUF NON-INVERT 5.5V 20DIP
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:162
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Product details
Overview
SN74BCT541AN from Texas Instruments is an octal buffer/driver with 3-state outputs, designed for bus line driving and memory address register buffering in 5-V TTL-compatible systems. It operates from 4.5 V to 5.5 V, features P-N-P inputs to reduce DC loading, and uses a data flow-through pinout (inputs on one side, outputs on the other) to simplify PCB layout.
For engineers reviewing the SN74BCT541AN datasheet, SN74BCT541AN pinout, SN74BCT541AN application, or SN74BCT541AN equivalent, this device is selected for high-current 3-state bus interface tasks where low ICCZ quiescent current, fast enable/disable timing, and robust output drive (64 mA sink per channel) are required in industrial and embedded control systems.
Technical Context
The SN74BCT541AN implements dual active-low 3-state enable logic (OE1 and OE2), where either high input forces all eight outputs into high-impedance state-enabling shared-bus arbitration. Its BiCMOS architecture combines bipolar input stages for TTL-level compatibility and CMOS output stages for reduced power consumption and improved noise immunity.
Input clamping diodes support VIK = –1.2 V at –18 mA, while output drive capability is specified at IOL = 64 mA (min) and IOH = –15 mA (min) under VCC = 4.5 V, ensuring reliable interfacing with legacy TTL loads. Propagation delays range from 1.7 ns to 8.2 ns depending on signal path and temperature.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Supply Voltage | 4.5 V to 5.5 V - Ensures compatibility with standard 5-V TTL and mixed-voltage logic systems. |
| Output Drive (IOL) | 64 mA min - Sufficient to drive multiple TTL inputs or terminated transmission lines without external buffers. |
| 3-State Enable Logic | Active-low AND gate (OE1 ∧ OE2) - Enables flexible bus arbitration using either or both enables. |
| Propagation Delay (tPLH) | 1.7 ns min (VCC = 4.5 V, TA = min–max) - Supports high-speed address/data latching in memory subsystems. |
| Quiescent Current (ICCZ) | 5–7 mA - Significantly lower than earlier BCT families, reducing system standby power. |
| Input Clamp Current | –18 mA - Protects inputs during overvoltage transients and supports hot-swap tolerance. |
| Package Thermal Impedance (θJA) | 69°C/W (PDIP-N) - Defines maximum power dissipation limit (≈0.7 W) at 70°C ambient. |
Pinout & Package
SN74BCT541AN is housed in a 20-pin plastic dual in-line package (PDIP-N), 0.300-inch body width, with standard through-hole mounting and JEDEC MS-001 compliance.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1, 19 | OE1, OE2 | Active-low 3-state enable inputs - Dual controls allow independent or combined bus gating. |
| 2–9 | A1–A8 | Buffer inputs - P-N-P structure reduces DC loading on upstream drivers. |
| 11, 20 | GND, VCC | Power terminals - Decoupling capacitor placement near Pin 20 minimizes switching noise. |
| 12–18, 10 | Y1–Y8 | 3-state buffered outputs - Outputs drive bus lines directly; high-Z state prevents contention. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Data flow-through pinout | Inputs (Pins 2–9) and outputs (Pins 12–18, 10) on opposite sides - Reduces trace crossovers and improves signal integrity on dense PCBs. |
| BiCMOS process technology | Combines TTL-compatible input thresholds with CMOS output efficiency - Achieves 30% lower ICCZ vs. earlier BCT variants. |
| High-current 3-state outputs | 64 mA sink capability per Y pin - Eliminates need for external bus transceivers in medium-load applications. |
| Input voltage clamping | VIK = –1.2 V at –18 mA - Enables safe interfacing with open-collector or ECL sources without external protection. |
| Power-up high-impedance guarantee | OE tied to VCC via pullup ensures outputs remain disabled until control logic stabilizes - Prevents bus glitches during reset. |
Applications
| Memory Address Buffering | Industrial Bus Interface |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Buffering 8-bit address lines between microcontroller and SRAM/ROM in programmable logic controllers. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Non-inverting octal buffer with simultaneous 3-state control - Isolates address bus during DMA cycles and prevents back-driving. Use Value: 64 mA output drive ensures full TTL fanout (10+ loads) without degradation; tPHL ≤ 8.2 ns maintains timing margins in 20-MHz bus systems. |
Use Scenario: Driving shared control bus among multiple sensors and actuators in factory automation I/O modules. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bidirectional bus driver with dual OE control - Enables master-slave arbitration and hot-plug-safe operation. Use Value: Active-low OE logic allows direct connection to microcontroller GPIO pins; ICCZ < 7 mA reduces idle power in always-on systems. |
| Legacy System Upgrade | Test Equipment Signal Conditioning |
Use Scenario: Replacing obsolete 74LS244 in aging test fixtures requiring TTL-compatible drive strength and pinout compatibility. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Drop-in functional replacement with enhanced electrical specs - Maintains same footprint and logic behavior. Use Value: Identical PDIP-20 package and pin mapping (A1→Y1, etc.) enables zero-layout change upgrade; 50% faster tPLH improves test cycle time. |
Use Scenario: Level-shifting and buffering digital control signals (e.g., trigger, gate, reset) in automated test equipment with mixed-voltage subsystems. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Unidirectional voltage translator and current amplifier - Converts 3.3-V FPGA outputs to robust 5-V TTL levels. Use Value: VIH = 2.0 V minimum ensures reliable recognition of 3.3-V logic highs; 10 pF Co minimizes capacitive loading on high-speed control paths. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar octal 3-state buffer applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| SN74ACT541N | CMOS-based, 4.5–5.5 V supply, lower ICCZ (2 mA), higher VOH (4.4 V min), but only 24 mA IOL. | Better for low-power, noise-sensitive environments; insufficient for heavy TTL bus loading. | Select when power budget is critical and load count ≤ 4 TTL units. |
| SN74LS244N | Bipolar TTL, 4.75–5.25 V, 8 mA IOL, no BiCMOS benefits, higher ICC (40 mA active). | Legacy compatibility only; lacks 3-state speed, drive, and power advantages of SN74BCT541AN. | Use only for exact form-fit-function replacement where redesign is prohibited. |
Compared with SN74ACT541N and SN74LS244N, the SN74BCT541AN uniquely balances high drive strength (64 mA), low quiescent current (5–7 mA), and TTL-compatible input thresholds-making it optimal for bus-intensive industrial control where reliability and legacy interoperability are mandatory.
Availability
SN74BCT541AN is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial control systems, memory subsystems, and legacy equipment upgrades requiring stable component supply, long-term obsolescence management, and RoHS-compliant through-hole packaging.
Supply support for SN74BCT541AN 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 heritage in industry-standard logic families.
The SN74BCT541AN belongs to TI's BCT (Bipolar-CMOS Transistor) logic series, engineered specifically for high-speed, high-drive 5-V bus interface applications in industrial, military, and computing infrastructure.
FAQ
What is the recommended power-up sequence for SN74BCT541AN to avoid bus contention?
TI recommends tying both OE1 and OE2 to VCC via a pullup resistor (≤10 kΩ) during power-up to ensure all outputs remain in high-impedance state until control logic stabilizes. This prevents unintended bus driving during VCC ramp-up. The SN74BCT541AN's internal design does not guarantee high-Z at power-on without external biasing, so this external precaution is mandatory in systems with shared buses.
Can SN74BCT541AN interface directly with 3.3-V microcontrollers?
Yes, the SN74BCT541AN accepts 3.3-V logic-high inputs reliably: its VIH threshold is 2.0 V min, well below typical 3.3-V CMOS VOH (≥3.0 V). However, its outputs swing to 5-V TTL levels, so level-shifting is required if feeding back to 3.3-V receivers. The SN74BCT541AN itself does not perform bidirectional translation-it is unidirectional with 5-V output compliance.
What is the maximum continuous output current per Y pin on SN74BCT541AN?
The SN74BCT541AN is rated for 64 mA minimum sink current (IOL) per output pin at VCC = 4.5 V and TA = 70°C. Absolute maximum rating is 128 mA per pin, but sustained operation above 64 mA requires thermal derating based on θJA = 69°C/W and ambient conditions. Simultaneous switching of all eight outputs at full load is not recommended without board-level thermal analysis.
Does SN74BCT541AN support hot-swap insertion into a live 5-V bus?
The SN74BCT541AN has input clamp diodes (VIK = –1.2 V at –18 mA) and 5.5-V absolute max VI rating, enabling limited hot-swap tolerance-but only if OE is held high (disabled) during insertion. Live insertion with OE low risks bus contention and transient overstress. For true hot-swap systems, external current-limiting or dedicated hot-swap controllers are advised alongside the SN74BCT541AN.
How does the "data flow-through" pinout of SN74BCT541AN improve PCB layout?
The SN74BCT541AN places all inputs (A1–A8) on the left side (Pins 2–9) and all outputs (Y1–Y8) on the right side (Pins 12–18, 10), with GND (Pin 11) and VCC (Pin 20) centrally located. This allows straight-through routing-input traces enter from left, cross under the IC, and exit right-side outputs-reducing vias, crosstalk, and layer count in dense 2-layer boards, especially in memory address and data bus layouts.
SN74BCT541AN Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Texas Instruments
- Series:
- 74BCT
- Package/Case:
- 20-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm)
- Packaging:
- Bulk
- Product Status:
- Active
- Logic Type:
- Buffer, Non-Inverting
- Number of Elements:
- 1
- Number of Bits per Element:
- 8
- Input Type:
- -
- Output Type:
- 3-State
- Current - Output High, Low:
- 15mA, 64mA
- Voltage - Supply:
- 4.5V ~ 5.5V
- Operating Temperature:
- 0°C ~ 70°C (TA)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Through Hole
- Supplier Device Package:
- 20-PDIP
SN74BCT541AN FAQ
1.How can I place an order for SN74BCT541AN through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for SN74BCT541AN 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 SN74BCT541AN reliable?
The price and inventory of SN74BCT541AN are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for SN74BCT541AN is usually 5 days.
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SN74BCT541AN orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your SN74BCT541AN 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 SN74BCT541AN?
For technical support, including SN74BCT541AN datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your SN74BCT541AN requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that SN74BCT541AN is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All SN74BCT541AN 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 SN74BCT541AN meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of SN74BCT541AN?
All SN74BCT541AN units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with SN74BCT541AN, 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 SN74BCT541AN part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for SN74BCT541AN:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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