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New Advanced HCMOS (AHC) logic devices are three times faster than HCMOS logic, while remaining pin-to-pin compatible.
Higher speed logic is particularly important as next-generation telecommunication and computer systems are developed with ever increasing speeds.
The AHC family of logic devices is well-suited for telecommunications equipment, portable and desktop PCs and networking hubs and routers. And because of its low noise and reduced power consumption, the new devices also are well-suited for portable, battery-operated systems such as laptop and notebook computers, personal digital assistants and handheld scanners.
"HCMOS has become very prevalent in the industry because it has certain advantages such as low power consumption and reduced noise. AHC shares these characteristics," said Ed Drew, TI's marketing specialist for AHC logic.
"In today's end-equipment markets, system speed is increasing exponentially. Telecommunication
switches and cellular base stations, next-generation PCs, as well
as networking hubs and routers, cannot be competitive if the logic
used in these systems slows down their throughput. That's where
AHC steps in and offers an easy and cost-effective migration path
to higher performance without greater costs."
A typical propagation delay for an AHC device is just 5.2 nanoseconds while the maximum propagation delay for any device in the family is only 8.5 ns. Both AHC and HCMOS exhibit very low levels of electrical noise and both types of logic have the same electrical drive characteristics. With a 5-V power supply, AHC logic has an output current of eight milli-amps.
AHC devices are based on CMOS technology, which is a low-power process. In a quiescent or static state, AHC logic consumes just 40 micro-amps of current, half the power consumption of standard HCMOS logic.
To assure an adequate supply of AHC logic, the Logic Products
Group of Philips Semiconductor has announced its intention to
alternate source the AHC logic family. Both TI and Philips devices
will have matching specifications, performance features, packaging
and pinouts, but each company will use its own advanced processing
and mask set to produce actual silicon. First production from
Philips is expected to start in mid-1996. TI and Philips plan
to independently release more than 40 devices with different functions
this year.
The AHC family is fabricated in 1.2-micron silicon using TI's advanced EPIC 1-S process. Designated SN74AHCXXX, the family is available in two pin counts and four package options:
Nineteen of the AHC devices are available now through TI and its authorized distributors at a suggested resale price of $0.20-$0.40 in 1,000-unit quantities. Another 20 AHC devices are scheduled to be available by the end of 1996.
April 1996, vol. 13, no. 3