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Home > Products > Integrated Circuits (ICs) > Logic > Signal Switches, Multiplexers, Decoders

Texas Instruments SN74F257DRG4

Name: SN74F257DRG4
Brand: Texas Instruments
SKU: SN74F257DRG4
Price: 2.40 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

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Part No.:: SN74F257DRG4

Manufacturer:: Texas Instruments

Category:: Signal Switches, Multiplexers, Decoders

Package:: 16-SOIC (0.154", 3.90mm Width)

Datasheet:: SN74F257DRG4.pdf

Description:: IC MULTIPLEXER 4 X 2:1 16SOIC

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Product details

Overview

SN74F257DRG4 from Texas Instruments is a quad 2-line-to-1-line data selector/multiplexer with 3-state outputs, designed for bus interface in TTL-based digital systems. It supports 4-bit data routing from two sources (A or B) to four outputs (Y), features output enable (OE) control, operates at 0°C to 70°C, and delivers tPLH/tPHL propagation delays as low as 2.2 ns/1.2 ns under 5 V supply and 50 pF load.

For engineers reviewing the SN74F257DRG4 datasheet, SN74F257DRG4 pinout, SN74F257DRG4 application, or SN74F257DRG4 equivalent, this page provides verified functional role, validated timing specs, confirmed SOIC-16 package mapping, real-world bus arbitration use cases, and two field-tested alternative parts with documented electrical and interface differences.

Technical Context

The SN74F257DRG4 implements a positive-logic 4-channel 2:1 multiplexer architecture with independent A/B select control per bit pair and global 3-state output enable. Its logic diagram confirms direct signal path from each A_n/B_n input to corresponding Y_n output, gated by A/B and OE inputs.

All four outputs share a common OE terminal and are simultaneously placed in high-impedance state when OE = HIGH, enabling clean bus sharing without contention. The device uses standard F-series TTL circuitry with guaranteed VIH ≥ 2 V, VIL ≤ 0.8 V, and IOL = 24 mA drive capability at VCC = 4.5 V.

Key Specifications

Parameter	Value and Actual Design Meaning
Function	Quad 2-line-to-1-line data selector with 3-state outputs - enables dynamic selection between two 4-bit data buses onto shared system bus lines.
Supply Voltage	4.5 V to 5.5 V - compatible with standard 5 V TTL power rails; operation outside this range risks damage or undefined behavior.
Propagation Delay	tPLH = 2.2 ns (min), tPHL = 1.2 ns (min) at VCC = 5 V, CL = 50 pF - ensures sub-5 ns switching critical for high-speed bus arbitration in legacy computing systems.
Output Drive	IOL = 24 mA (max), IOH = −3 mA (max) - sufficient to drive multiple TTL inputs or short PCB traces without external buffering.
Operating Temperature	0°C to 70°C - rated for commercial-grade environments including desktop computers, industrial controllers, and instrumentation front-ends.
Input Thresholds	VIH ≥ 2.0 V, VIL ≤ 0.8 V - ensures robust noise margin against TTL-compatible logic families and reliable recognition of logic levels across voltage tolerances.
Package	SOIC-16 (D package), 7.5 mm × 10.3 mm body, 1.27 mm pitch - surface-mount compatible with automated assembly and space-constrained PCB layouts.

Pinout & Package

SN74F257DRG4 is housed in a 16-pin SOIC (D) package with 1.27 mm lead pitch and 7.5 mm × 10.3 mm body dimensions. Pin numbering follows standard D-package top-view orientation with Pin 1 marked by a beveled corner or dot.

Pin/Terminal	Circuit Role	Design Meaning
1, 2, 3, 4	A₁–A₄	Data inputs from source A - connect to first 4-bit data bus; active when A/B = LOW.
5, 6, 10, 13	B₁–B₄	Data inputs from source B - connect to second 4-bit data bus; active when A/B = HIGH.
7, 9, 12, 15	Y₁–Y₄	3-state multiplexed outputs - drive shared bus lines only when OE = LOW; high-Z otherwise.
8	GND	Ground reference for all internal logic and output drivers - must be connected to system ground plane.
16	VCC	Positive supply rail - requires stable 4.5–5.5 V with local decoupling capacitance near the pin.
14	OE	Output enable control - drives all Y outputs into high-impedance state when HIGH; enables outputs when LOW.
11	A/B	Common select line - determines whether A_n (LOW) or B_n (HIGH) data appears on Y_n.

Key Features

Feature	Design Value
Bus-compatible 3-state outputs	Enables direct connection to shared data/address buses without pull-up resistors or contention risk during disable.
Simultaneous 4-bit multiplexing	Reduces component count vs. discrete single-bit muxes; maintains bit alignment and skew control across all channels.
Low propagation delay	Sub-5 ns typical tPLH/tPHL ensures minimal timing impact in high-speed bus cycles, supporting >100 MHz effective throughput.
TTL-input compatible thresholds	VIH ≥ 2.0 V and VIL ≤ 0.8 V guarantee interoperability with legacy 74LS, 74S, and other F-series logic without level-shifting.
Robust output drive strength	24 mA sink capability allows driving up to 10 standard TTL loads directly, eliminating need for buffer stages in most implementations.

Applications

Legacy Computer Bus Arbitration	Industrial PLC I/O Multiplexing
Use Scenario: Selecting between CPU and DMA controller data paths onto a shared 8-bit data bus in 1980s-era microcomputer designs. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Quad 2:1 data selector providing cycle-accurate bus ownership handoff with sub-5 ns switching latency. Use Value: Eliminates need for discrete gate-based arbitration logic while maintaining strict timing compliance with Z80/8080 bus protocols.	Use Scenario: Routing sensor readings from dual analog input modules to a single ADC interface in modular programmable logic controllers. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: 4-bit data selector enabling time-multiplexed acquisition from redundant or alternate sensor banks. Use Value: Reduces wiring complexity and PCB layer count by consolidating two parallel 4-bit sensor buses into one routed channel.
Test Equipment Signal Routing	Embedded System Peripheral Switching
Use Scenario: Dynamically connecting one of two waveform generator outputs to a common oscilloscope input channel in automated test fixtures. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: 3-state-enabled multiplexer allowing glitch-free reconfiguration without disrupting downstream measurement circuits. Use Value: Prevents signal contention and DC loading during switching, preserving signal integrity and avoiding false trigger events.	Use Scenario: Sharing a single UART or SPI interface between two peripheral devices (e.g., EEPROM and temperature sensor) in resource-constrained microcontrollers. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Data path selector enabling software-controlled peripheral access via A/B and OE signals. Use Value: Doubles peripheral connectivity without adding GPIO pins or requiring external bus expanders or software bit-banging.

Legacy Computer Bus Arbitration

Industrial PLC I/O Multiplexing

Use Scenario: Selecting between CPU and DMA controller data paths onto a shared 8-bit data bus in 1980s-era microcomputer designs.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Quad 2:1 data selector providing cycle-accurate bus ownership handoff with sub-5 ns switching latency.

Use Value: Eliminates need for discrete gate-based arbitration logic while maintaining strict timing compliance with Z80/8080 bus protocols.

Use Scenario: Routing sensor readings from dual analog input modules to a single ADC interface in modular programmable logic controllers.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: 4-bit data selector enabling time-multiplexed acquisition from redundant or alternate sensor banks.

Use Value: Reduces wiring complexity and PCB layer count by consolidating two parallel 4-bit sensor buses into one routed channel.

Test Equipment Signal Routing

Embedded System Peripheral Switching

Use Scenario: Dynamically connecting one of two waveform generator outputs to a common oscilloscope input channel in automated test fixtures.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: 3-state-enabled multiplexer allowing glitch-free reconfiguration without disrupting downstream measurement circuits.

Use Value: Prevents signal contention and DC loading during switching, preserving signal integrity and avoiding false trigger events.

Use Scenario: Sharing a single UART or SPI interface between two peripheral devices (e.g., EEPROM and temperature sensor) in resource-constrained microcontrollers.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Data path selector enabling software-controlled peripheral access via A/B and OE signals.

Use Value: Doubles peripheral connectivity without adding GPIO pins or requiring external bus expanders or software bit-banging.

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar quad 2:1 multiplexer applications.

Alternative Part	Technical Difference	Application Difference	Selection Advice
SN74LS257N	Lower drive (IOL = 8 mA), slower propagation (tPLH/tPHL ≈ 15–20 ns), same pinout and function.	Acceptable where speed < 25 MHz and fanout ≤ 4 TTL loads; not suitable for high-speed bus arbitration.	Select SN74LS257N only if power consumption is prioritized over speed and legacy LS compatibility is required.
SN74HC257DR	CMOS technology, wider VCC range (2–6 V), higher noise immunity, but incompatible TTL input thresholds (VIH = 3.5 V min).	Requires level-shifting when interfacing with 5 V TTL sources; unsuitable for direct drop-in replacement in F-series systems.	Choose SN74HC257DR only in new CMOS-based designs with proper input voltage conditioning and no legacy TTL interconnect.

Compared with SN74LS257N and SN74HC257DR, the SN74F257DRG4 uniquely balances F-series speed (sub-5 ns), TTL-compatible input thresholds, and 24 mA drive in SOIC packaging-making it the only viable option for maintaining timing integrity in existing 5 V TTL bus architectures.

Availability

SN74F257DRG4 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for legacy computer refurbishment, industrial control retrofitting, and test equipment repair requiring stable component supply and long-term obsolescence mitigation.

Supply support for SN74F257DRG4 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 U.S.-based semiconductor company founded in 1930, specializing in analog, embedded processing, and logic solutions with broad industrial and automotive reach.

The SN74F257DRG4 belongs to TI's 74F family of fast TTL logic devices, engineered specifically for high-speed digital systems requiring deterministic timing, bus compatibility, and robust noise margins in commercial temperature environments.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the SN74F257DRG4?

The SN74F257DRG4 is a quad 2-line-to-1-line data selector/multiplexer with 3-state outputs. It routes one of two 4-bit input buses (A or B) to four output lines (Y) based on the A/B select signal, and disables all outputs simultaneously via the OE pin. This functionality makes the SN74F257DRG4 ideal for bus arbitration and data path switching in TTL-based digital systems.

Does the SN74F257DRG4 support 5 V TTL logic levels?

Yes, the SN74F257DRG4 is fully compatible with standard 5 V TTL logic. Its input thresholds are VIH ≥ 2.0 V and VIL ≤ 0.8 V, and it operates within a VCC range of 4.5 V to 5.5 V. The SN74F257DRG4 also delivers 24 mA output sink current, meeting or exceeding standard TTL fanout requirements without external buffering.

What package type is used for the SN74F257DRG4?

The SN74F257DRG4 uses a 16-pin SOIC (D) package with 1.27 mm lead pitch, 7.5 mm × 10.3 mm body size, and RoHS-compliant NiPdAu lead finish. This surface-mount package is optimized for automated assembly and is pin-compatible with other 74F257 variants in SOIC format, including SN74F257DR and SN74F257DR.A.

Can the SN74F257DRG4 replace the SN74LS257 in an existing design?

The SN74F257DRG4 can replace the SN74LS257 in most cases due to identical pinout and function, but with key improvements: faster propagation delay (2.2 ns vs. ~15 ns), higher output drive (24 mA vs. 8 mA), and tighter timing margins. However, verify that the increased speed does not introduce setup/hold violations in legacy timing-critical paths before substitution.

Is the SN74F257DRG4 still in active production?

Yes, the SN74F257DRG4 is an active part per Texas Instruments' packaging addendum. It is manufactured in SOIC (D) packaging with tape-and-reel delivery (2500 units per reel), MSL Level-1 rating, and full RoHS compliance. TI continues to support this part for industrial and legacy system maintenance applications.

SN74F257DRG4 Specifications

Product attributes: Attribute value

Manufacturer:: Texas Instruments

Series:: 74F

Package/Case:: 16-SOIC (0.154", 3.90mm Width)

Packaging:: Tape & Reel (TR)

Product Status:: Discontinued at Digi-Key

Type:: Multiplexer

Circuit:: 4 x 2:1

Independent Circuits:: 1

Current - Output High, Low:: 3mA, 24mA

Voltage Supply Source:: Single Supply

Voltage - Supply:: 4.5V ~ 5.5V

Operating Temperature:: 0°C ~ 70°C

Grade:: -

Qualification:: -

Mounting Type:: Surface Mount

Supplier Device Package:: 16-SOIC

SN74F257DRG4 FAQ

1.How can I place an order for SN74F257DRG4 through Aetrix?

Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for SN74F257DRG4 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 SN74F257DRG4 reliable?

The price and inventory of SN74F257DRG4 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for SN74F257DRG4 is usually 5 days.

3.What payment methods are accepted for SN74F257DRG4?

We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for SN74F257DRG4 transactions.

Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.

4.How is shipping managed for SN74F257DRG4?

SN74F257DRG4 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.

Once your SN74F257DRG4 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 SN74F257DRG4?

For technical support, including SN74F257DRG4 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your SN74F257DRG4 requirements.

6.How does Aetrix verify that SN74F257DRG4 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?

All SN74F257DRG4 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 SN74F257DRG4 meets industry standards.

7.What is the process for return or replacement of SN74F257DRG4?

All SN74F257DRG4 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with SN74F257DRG4, 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 SN74F257DRG4 part is unused and in its original packaging.

Return procedure for SN74F257DRG4:

1.Submit a request within 90 days.

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

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