Voltage Translation Between 3.3-V, 2.5-V, 1.8-V, and 1.5-V Logic Standards (Rev. A)

Due to rapid migration to lower power-supply voltages, bus translators often are necessary as an interface between separately powered components of a logic system. This application report discusses the features of the Texas Instruments AVCA164245 and AVCB164245 dual-supply bus-translating transceivers. These devices provide active buffered bidirectional translation of logic signals between standard power-supply ranges of 3.3 V, 2.5 V, 1.8 V, and 1.5 V. Common problems associated with voltage translation in dual-supply systems are introduced. These problems can be solved by using features of these devices, such as translation, overvoltage tolerance, configurability, input switching levels, bus hold, power-supply isolation, and partial power down.