Texas Instruments SN74LVC257ADG4
- Part No.:
- SN74LVC257ADG4
- Manufacturer:
- Texas Instruments
- Category:
- Signal Switches, Multiplexers, Decoders
- Package:
- 16-SOIC (0.154", 3.90mm Width)
- Datasheet:
-
SN74LVC257ADG4.pdf
- Description:
- IC MULTIPLEXER 4 X 2:1 16SOIC
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

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Product details
Overview
SN74LVC257ADG4 from Texas Instruments is a quadruple 2-line to 1-line data selector/multiplexer with 3-state outputs, designed for 1.65V–3.6V VCC operation. It supports mixed-voltage interfacing (inputs tolerate up to 5.5V), delivers ≤4.6ns propagation delay at 3.3V, and enables bus-organized signal routing in 4-bit data paths - used in telecom infrastructure, network switches, and I/O expander subsystems.
For engineers reviewing the SN74LVC257ADG4 datasheet, SN74LVC257ADG4 pinout, SN74LVC257ADG4 application, or SN74LVC257ADG4 equivalent, key selection criteria include its 3-state output control, voltage translation capability across 3.3V/5V domains, low ground bounce (<0.8V), and SOIC-16 package compatibility with industrial temperature range (–40°C to +85°C).
Technical Context
The SN74LVC257ADG4 implements four independent 2:1 multiplexers sharing a common active-low output-enable (OE) input and a single select line (A/B) that determines whether inputs A or B are routed to each Y output. Its CMOS design ensures balanced drive strength and rail-to-rail output swing within VCC.
Each multiplexer channel operates with input thresholds scaled to VCC (e.g., VIH = 0.65×VCC at 1.65V–1.95V), supports 24mA sink/source at 3V, and maintains high-impedance outputs when OE is high - critical for bus arbitration and hot-swap isolation in multi-master systems.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VCC Range | 1.65V to 3.6V - enables direct integration into modern low-voltage logic domains while maintaining backward compatibility with 3.3V systems. |
| Input Voltage Tolerance | Up to 5.5V - allows safe connection to legacy 5V logic without level-shifting circuitry. |
| tpd Max | 4.6ns at VCC = 3.3V - supports high-speed data routing in timing-critical applications such as packet switching and sensor interface multiplexing. |
| IOL/IOH | ±24mA at VCC = 3V - provides robust drive capability for driving moderate capacitive loads or multiple downstream inputs. |
| VO Undershoot/Overdrive | VOHV >2V & VOLP <0.8V at 3.3V - minimizes signal integrity risk during fast transitions on shared buses. |
| ESD Rating | HBM ±2000V - meets industrial-grade ESD immunity requirements for board-level reliability. |
| Operating Temp | –40°C to +85°C - qualified for commercial and industrial ambient environments without derating. |
Pinout & Package
SN74LVC257ADG4 is packaged in a 16-pin SOIC (D package), body size 9.90 mm × 3.90 mm, with standard JEDEC MS-012AC footprint. Pin 1 is top-left corner (notch-side indicator), and pin numbering follows conventional SOIC convention.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (A/B) | Select control input | Low selects A-inputs; high selects B-inputs for all four channels - enables synchronized source selection across parallel data lanes. |
| 2–3, 5–6, 10–11, 13–14 (1A–1B, 2A–2B, 3A–3B, 4A–4B) | Data inputs | Eight bidirectional I/O pins grouped as four 2-input pairs - accepts signals from dual sources per channel (e.g., primary/backup sensors or master/slave processors). |
| 4, 7, 9, 12 (1Y–4Y) | Multiplexed outputs | Four 3-state outputs driven by selected A/B inputs - high-impedance state when OE = high prevents bus contention in shared-data-path architectures. |
| 8 (GND) | Ground reference | Primary return path for logic and output current - must be low-inductance connected to system ground plane. |
| 16 (VCC) | Power supply | Single-supply rail for core logic and output drivers - requires local 0.1µF bypass capacitor placed adjacent to pin. |
| 15 (OE) | Output enable | Active-low control enabling/disabling all Y outputs simultaneously - tied high via pull-up resistor during power-up to ensure defined high-Z state. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Wide VCC range (1.65V–3.6V) | Enables deployment across battery-powered, low-power microcontroller peripherals and 3.3V FPGA I/O banks without external regulators. |
| 5.5V-tolerant inputs | Eliminates need for discrete level translators when interfacing with 5V legacy controllers or analog front-end ICs. |
| 3-state outputs with common OE | Supports time-multiplexed bus sharing among multiple SN74LVC257ADG4 devices or other peripherals on same data lines. |
| Low ground bounce & undershoot | Reduces switching noise coupling into adjacent signal traces and power rails - critical for mixed-signal PCB layouts. |
| Latch-up immunity >250mA | Ensures robustness against transient overcurrent events in noisy industrial environments or during hot-plug operations. |
Applications
| Cable Modem Termination Systems | Network Switches |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Selecting between upstream/downstream data paths or redundant PHY interfaces in DOCSIS-compliant CMTS hardware. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Data selector routing RF-modulated digital streams between MAC-layer processors and physical layer transceivers. Use Value: Enables dynamic reconfiguration of signal paths without FPGA reprogramming or mechanical relays - reducing latency and increasing system uptime. | Use Scenario: Multiplexing management interface signals (e.g., MDIO, I²C, or GPIO) across multiple switch ASICs or PHYs in modular chassis-based switches. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bus-organized signal router consolidating control lines onto shared backplane traces. Use Value: Reduces PCB layer count and connector pin count while preserving deterministic timing for register access and status polling. |
| I/O Expanders | Telecom Infrastructure |
Use Scenario: Adding parallel GPIO capacity to microcontrollers with limited native I/O, especially where voltage domain bridging (3.3V MCU ↔ 5V peripheral) is required. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Level-translating multiplexer extending host processor's address/data bus to external latch or buffer arrays. Use Value: Doubles effective I/O count using only two control lines (A/B and OE), minimizing MCU pin usage and firmware overhead. | Use Scenario: Signal routing in base station control modules for selecting between primary/backup clock sources, alarm inputs, or diagnostic test points. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Fault-tolerant data selector ensuring continuity of supervisory signals during component failure or maintenance. Use Value: Provides hardware-level redundancy without software intervention - meeting telecom equipment availability targets (>99.999%). |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar multiplexer applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| SN74LVC157AD | Same function but lacks 5.5V-tolerant inputs; max VI = VCC + 0.5V. | Suitable only in homogeneous 3.3V systems; cannot interface directly with 5V logic. | Choose when cost sensitivity outweighs voltage translation need and all connected devices operate at ≤3.6V. |
| 74LVCH16257MTD | 16-bit (dual-octuple) version in TSSOP-48; higher channel count, larger footprint. | Used in high-density data bus expansion where 4-channel capacity is insufficient. | Choose when scaling beyond 4-bit multiplexing is required and PCB space allows larger package. |
Compared with SN74LVC157AD and 74LVCH16257MTD, the SN74LVC257ADG4 uniquely balances compact SOIC-16 packaging, 5.5V input tolerance, and industrial temperature rating - making it optimal for space-constrained, mixed-voltage telecom and networking modules requiring field-proven reliability.
Availability
SN74LVC257ADG4 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for cable modem termination systems, network switches, and telecom infrastructure requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.
Supply support for SN74LVC257ADG4 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 connectivity technologies with over 90 years of innovation in industrial, automotive, and communications markets.
The SN74LVC257ADG4 belongs to TI's LVC logic family, engineered for low-voltage, high-speed, mixed-signal interface applications - particularly where voltage translation, bus isolation, and deterministic timing are essential.
FAQ
What is the maximum input voltage the SN74LVC257ADG4 can safely accept?
The SN74LVC257ADG4 accepts input voltages up to 5.5V regardless of VCC level, enabling direct interfacing with 5V logic families without external level shifters. This specification is verified per TI's recommended operating conditions table and applies across the full –40°C to +85°C temperature range. The SN74LVC257ADG4 maintains this tolerance while operating from 1.65V to 3.6V VCC, making it ideal for mixed-voltage system integration.
Does the SN74LVC257ADG4 support hot-swap or live-insertion scenarios?
Yes, the SN74LVC257ADG4 supports controlled hot-swap operation through its 3-state outputs and robust ESD protection (±2000V HBM). When OE is held high during insertion, all Y outputs remain in high-impedance state, preventing bus contention. Its latch-up immunity (>250mA) and overvoltage-tolerant inputs further enhance resilience during power-rail sequencing mismatches. For reliable operation, OE should be pulled high via a resistor before VCC stabilizes - a practice confirmed in TI's functional mode documentation for the SN74LVC257ADG4.
What is the propagation delay performance of the SN74LVC257ADG4 at 1.8V VCC?
At VCC = 1.8V ± 0.15V, the SN74LVC257ADG4 exhibits a maximum propagation delay (tpd) of 13.5ns for A/B → Y transitions, as specified in Section 5.7 of the official datasheet. This value is measured under standard load conditions (CL = 50pF) and reflects worst-case timing for timing-critical designs operating at minimum valid supply voltage. The SN74LVC257ADG4 maintains functional operation down to 1.65V, though tpd increases progressively below 1.8V.
Can the SN74LVC257ADG4 be used as a level translator between 3.3V and 5V logic domains?
Yes, the SN74LVC257ADG4 functions as a unidirectional level translator: its inputs accept 0–5.5V signals while its outputs swing rail-to-rail between GND and VCC (1.65V–3.6V). When VCC = 3.3V, it translates 5V inputs to 3.3V-compatible outputs - useful for connecting legacy 5V peripherals to modern low-voltage processors. However, it does not translate in the reverse direction (3.3V-out → 5V-in), and output drive strength remains constrained by VCC. This behavior is explicitly documented in the SN74LVC257ADG4 feature description and functional block diagram.
What package type and RoHS status does the SN74LVC257ADG4 use?
The SN74LVC257ADG4 uses a 16-pin SOIC (D) package with dimensions 9.90 mm × 6.00 mm, RoHS-compliant with NiPdAu lead finish and Moisture Sensitivity Level 1 (unlimited floor life at ≤30°C/60% RH). It is supplied in tape-and-reel (2500 units/reel) and tube (40 units/tube) formats, with part marking "LVC257A" on the top surface. This package variant is listed as active in TI's official Packaging Information addendum dated July 2026, confirming long-term manufacturing availability for the SN74LVC257ADG4.
SN74LVC257ADG4 Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Texas Instruments
- Series:
- 74LVC
- Package/Case:
- 16-SOIC (0.154", 3.90mm Width)
- Packaging:
- Tube
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- Type:
- Multiplexer
- Circuit:
- 4 x 2:1
- Independent Circuits:
- 1
- Current - Output High, Low:
- 24mA, 24mA
- Voltage Supply Source:
- Single Supply
- Voltage - Supply:
- 1.65V ~ 3.6V
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 85°C
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- 16-SOIC
SN74LVC257ADG4 FAQ
1.How can I place an order for SN74LVC257ADG4 through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for SN74LVC257ADG4 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 SN74LVC257ADG4 reliable?
The price and inventory of SN74LVC257ADG4 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for SN74LVC257ADG4 is usually 5 days.
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Once your SN74LVC257ADG4 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 SN74LVC257ADG4?
For technical support, including SN74LVC257ADG4 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your SN74LVC257ADG4 requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that SN74LVC257ADG4 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All SN74LVC257ADG4 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 SN74LVC257ADG4 meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of SN74LVC257ADG4?
All SN74LVC257ADG4 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with SN74LVC257ADG4, 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 SN74LVC257ADG4 part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for SN74LVC257ADG4:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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