74ACT541 is an octal buffer/line driver with 3-state outputs, designed for high-speed bus-oriented applications such as memory addressing, clock distribution, and microprocessor interfacing.
Function: Octal Buffer/Line Driver with 3-STATE Outputs
Package: DIP, SOP, SOIC 20 Pin Type
Manufacturer: Fairchild Semiconductor
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Description
The 74AC541 and 74ACT541 are octal buffer/line drivers designed to be employed as memory and address drivers, clock drivers and bus oriented transmitter/receivers.
These devices are similar in function to the 74AC244 and 74ACTC244 while providing flow-through architecture (inputs on opposite side from outputs).
This pinout arrangement makes these devices especially useful as an output port for microprocessors, allowing ease of layout and greater PC board density.
It features a flow-through pin configuration (inputs and outputs on opposite sides), simplifying PCB routing and enabling higher layout density. The ACT variant provides TTL-compatible input thresholds with CMOS output performance.
Features
- Octal non-inverting buffer/line driver
- 3-state outputs for bus sharing
- Flow-through architecture (inputs opposite outputs)
- Reduced ICC and IOZ (≈50% lower than earlier families)
- High drive capability: ±24 mA output current
- TTL-compatible inputs (ACT family)
- High-speed CMOS technology
Pinouts
Functional Description
- Each of the 8 buffers is non-inverting (A → Y)
- Outputs are enabled when both OE pins are LOW
- When either OE is HIGH, outputs enter high-impedance (Hi-Z) state
- Designed for driving heavily loaded buses or long PCB traces
Design Notes
- Use for bus buffering to isolate capacitive loads and improve signal integrity
- Ensure proper control of OE pins to avoid bus contention
- Decouple VCC with a 0.1 µF capacitor close to the device
- Consider signal edge rates and termination for high-speed designs
- Suitable for interfacing between TTL and CMOS logic domains
Typical Applications
- Microprocessor address/data bus buffering
- Memory interface drivers
- Clock and signal distribution
- Bus transceivers and system expansion
How to Choose This Part
- Select ACT variant for TTL-level input compatibility
- Use when strong drive capability (±24 mA) is required
- Prefer flow-through pinout for simplified PCB routing
- Consider AC/HC variants for pure CMOS-level systems
Alternative / Equivalent Products
- 74AC541 (CMOS input thresholds)
- 74ACT244 (similar function, different pinout)
- 74HC541 (lower power, slower speed)
- 74LVC541 (low-voltage modern alternative)
Other data sheets are available within the file:
74AC541MTC, 74AC541PC, 74AC541SC, 74AC541SJ, 74541, 74AC541
74ACT541 Datasheet PDF Download
