Texas Instruments SN74HC244PWE4

Overview

SN74HC244PWE4 from Texas Instruments is an octal noninverting 3-state buffer/line driver IC, organized as two independent 4-bit banks with separate output-enable (OE) controls. It operates from 2V to 6V, delivers ±6mA output drive at 5V, exhibits typical propagation delay of 11ns (VCC = 6V, CL = 50pF), and draws ≤80µA ICC (max), enabling high-density bus interfacing in memory address and clock distribution systems.

For engineers reviewing the SN74HC244PWE4 datasheet, SN74HC244PWE4 pinout, SN74HC244PWE4 application, or SN74HC244PWE4 equivalent, key selection criteria include 3-state bus contention control, wide VCC range compatibility, low-power CMOS logic level translation, and TSSOP-20 package suitability for space-constrained PCB layouts in industrial and telecom infrastructure designs.

Technical Context

The SN74HC244PWE4 implements dual 4-bit noninverting buffers with independent active-low OE inputs per bank, supporting simultaneous or selective bus driving. Each output transitions to high-impedance when its corresponding OE is high, enabling bidirectional bus sharing without external logic.

It uses standard CMOS input structure with ≤1µA max input current and 10pF typical input capacitance, requiring controlled input transition rates (≤1000 ns/V at VCC = 2V) to prevent oscillation. Output drive capability (±6mA at 5V) supports direct connection to 15 LSTTL loads while maintaining rail-to-rail VOH/VOL across temperature.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

TSSOP-20 package (PW), 6.5mm × 6.4mm body size, 0.65mm lead pitch, surface-mount, moisture-sensitive level 1 (MSL-1).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with SN74HC244PWE4, SN74HCT244PWRE4 offers improved noise immunity in noisy 5V environments but sacrifices 2V minimum VCC support, while 74LCX244MTCX enables lower-power 3.3V operation with 5V-tolerant inputs but cannot operate above 3.6V - making SN74HC244PWE4 the only option spanning full 2V–6V interoperability.

Availability

SN74HC244PWE4 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for servers, LED displays, network switches, telecom infrastructure, and motor drivers requiring stable component supply across industrial temperature ranges and long production lifecycles.

Supply support for SN74HC244PWE4 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 SN74HC244PWE4 belongs to TI's HC (High-Speed CMOS) logic portfolio, designed for robust, low-power, pin-compatible replacements of legacy TTL devices in memory, bus, and interface applications.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating temperature for SN74HC244PWE4?

The SN74HC244PWE4 is rated for operation from –40°C to +125°C ambient temperature, as confirmed in Section 5.3 Recommended Operating Conditions of the official TI datasheet (SCLS130I, February 2026 revision). This extended range supports deployment in unventilated telecom chassis and industrial motor control enclosures where thermal margins are constrained.

Does SN74HC244PWE4 support 3.3V logic levels?

Yes, SN74HC244PWE4 fully supports 3.3V operation: VIH is guaranteed ≥2.0V at VCC = 3.3V (per Section 5.3), VOL ≤0.1V at IOL = 6mA, and VOH ≥3.1V at IOH = –6mA. Its 2V–6V supply range and CMOS input structure make it interoperable with 3.3V microcontrollers and FPGAs without level-shifting circuitry.

How many output-enable (OE) inputs does SN74HC244PWE4 have?

SN74HC244PWE4 has two independent active-low output-enable inputs: 1OE (Pin 1) controls Bank 1 outputs (1Y1–1Y4), and 2OE (Pin 19) controls Bank 2 outputs (2Y1–2Y4). This dual-OE architecture enables selective bus driving - for example, enabling memory address lines while disabling peripheral data lines during DMA transfers.

What is the typical propagation delay of SN74HC244PWE4 at 5V supply?

At VCC = 5V and CL = 50pF, the typical propagation delay (tpd) of SN74HC244PWE4 is 13ns (Section 5.9 Switching Characteristics). This value is measured from input (A) to output (Y) under standard test conditions and supports reliable operation in 30+ MHz synchronous bus interfaces with adequate timing margin.

Can SN74HC244PWE4 drive LEDs directly?

Yes - SN74HC244PWE4 can sink or source up to ±6mA per output at 5V (Section 1 Features), sufficient to drive low-current indicator LEDs (e.g., 2mA @ 2V forward voltage) without external transistors. For higher-brightness or multiplexed LED displays, verify total package current limits (±70mA VCC/GND) and thermal derating per TI's thermal metrics (RθJA = 131.8°C/W for TSSOP-20).