74HC Series
The 74HC series (High-Speed CMOS) is a family of digital logic integrated circuits (ICs) designed to offer high-speed performance comparable to standard 74LS (Low Power Schottky) TTL logic while consuming significantly less power. These ICs use CMOS technology and operate across a wide voltage range, making them ideal for a variety of digital system applications.
1. Technology and Construction
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CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor): The 74HC series is built on CMOS technology, which provides very high input impedance, low power consumption, and high noise immunity.
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TTL Compatible Inputs: Many 74HC devices have input thresholds compatible with TTL levels, making them suitable for mixed-technology environments when paired with 74HCT (TTL-compatible) variants.
2. Electrical Characteristics
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Supply Voltage (Vcc): 2V to 6V (typically 5V)
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Propagation Delay: ~7–15 ns (at 5V), depending on the specific function
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Power Consumption: Extremely low static power dissipation; dynamic power is proportional to switching frequency and capacitive load.
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Input Current: Typically in nanoampere (nA) range, much lower than TTL.
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Output Drive: Can typically source/sink 4–6 mA at 5V.
3. Logic Functions
The 74HC family includes a comprehensive range of logic functions, mirroring and expanding upon the original 74xx TTL series:
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Basic Gates: AND, OR, NAND, NOR, XOR, XNOR, NOT
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Flip-Flops: D, JK, T, and SR varieties
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Latches and Registers: Transparent latches, shift registers, and data registers
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Counters: Binary, decade, and programmable counters
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Multiplexers/Demultiplexers
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Encoders/Decoders
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Buffers/Drivers: Tri-state, open-drain, inverting and non-inverting
4. Key Advantages
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Speed: Faster than standard 4000-series CMOS logic and comparable to 74LS series TTL.
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Power Efficiency: Much lower static power consumption than TTL due to CMOS technology.
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Voltage Flexibility: Can operate over a broader range of supply voltages.
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Drive Capability: Good for moderate current loads; suitable for driving LEDs or interfacing with microcontrollers and other ICs.
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Compatibility: 74HCT subfamily is TTL-compatible for seamless integration with existing TTL systems.
5. Package Types
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DIP (Dual In-line Package)
These various packaging options make 74HC series ICs suitable for both prototyping and production environments.
6. Applications
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Microcontroller I/O expansion
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Digital signal routing and logic control
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Data storage and transfer circuits
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Timing and sequencing logic
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Consumer electronics, industrial controls, automotive systems
Examples of Common 74HC Series Devices
Part Number | Description |
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74HC00 | Quad 2-input NAND gate |
74HC04 | Hex Inverter |
74HC08 | Quad 2-input AND gate |
74HC32 | Quad 2-input OR gate |
74HC74 | Dual D-type Flip-Flop with Set and Reset |
74HC595 | 8-bit Serial-In, Parallel-Out Shift Register |
74HC138 | 3-to-8 Line Decoder |
74HC393 | Dual 4-bit Binary Counter |