SN74HC373N

The SN74HC373N is a high-speed CMOS octal transparent latch designed for use in digital circuits. It is part of Texas Instruments' 74HC family, which is known for its high-speed performance and low power consumption. Here’s a detailed description of its features and specifications:

General Description:

• Functionality: The SN74HC373N is an octal latch that can store 8 bits of data. It is designed to hold data when the latch enable (LE) signal is low and to allow data to pass through when LE is high. This makes it suitable for temporary data storage and transfer in digital systems.
• Package Type: The device is typically available in a 20-pin dual in-line package (DIP), which is easy to handle and solder onto a circuit board.

Key Features:

• Data Inputs: The device has 8 data inputs (D0 to D7) that accept standard logic levels. When the latch enable (LE) is activated, the data present at these inputs is transferred to the output latches.
• Output Configuration: The outputs (Q0 to Q7) are in a high-impedance state when the latch is not enabled, allowing for easy interfacing with other devices without causing conflicts.
• Control Signals: The SN74HC373N includes control inputs such as:
  • Latch Enable (LE): When this input is high, the data from the inputs is latched to the outputs. When low, the outputs retain their last state.
  • Output Enable (OE): This active-low input controls the output state. When OE is low, the outputs are enabled; when high, the outputs are in a high-impedance state.

Electrical Characteristics:

• Supply Voltage (Vcc): The device operates typically at a supply voltage of 2V to 6V, making it compatible with a wide range of digital logic levels.
• Input and Output Voltage Levels: The device is designed to recognize standard logic levels, with a high-level input voltage (VIH) typically around 2V (for Vcc = 5V) and a low-level input voltage (VIL) around 0.8V.
• Propagation Delay: The typical propagation delay from the input to the output is very low, typically in the range of nanoseconds, allowing for high-speed operation in synchronous circuits.

Applications:

The SN74HC373N is widely used in various applications, including:

• Data Storage: Temporary storage of data in digital systems.
• Data Transfer: Facilitating data transfer between different parts of a circuit.
• Bus Interface: Acting as a buffer for data buses in microcontroller and microprocessor applications.
• State Machines: Implementing state machines where data needs to be latched based on control signals.

Conclusion:

The SN74HC373N is a versatile and efficient component for digital circuit design, providing reliable data latching capabilities with high-speed performance. Its compatibility with various logic levels and ease of integration make it a popular choice among engineers and designers in the field of electronics.