The TXS0108E is a popular 8-channel bidirectional logic level converter designed for interfacing devices with differing voltage levels.
The TXS0108E is a straightforward, robust module for interfacing digital systems running at different voltages, with ease of use thanks to its auto-direction sensing and speed capabilities. It’s widely used in maker and professional setups for connecting 1.8 V, 3.3 V, and 5 V logic domains—just be mindful of OE and pull-ups!
? Key Features
- 8‑bit bi‑directional translation (no direction-control signal needed)
Voltage support:
- Port A (low) V<sub>CCA</sub>: 1.4 – 3.6 V (typical: 1.8/3.3 V)
- Port B (high) V<sub>CCB</sub>: 1.65 – 5.5 V (typical: 3.3/5 V)
High speed:
- Push–pull: up to 110 Mbps
- Open‑drain: up to 1.2 Mbps
- No power sequencing required: either supply (A or B) can power up first
OE (Output Enable) pin:
- Active‑high = outputs enabled
- Active‑low = all channels go high‑impedance
- Built‑in ESD protection: up to 2 kV HBM on A‑port
? Pin & Board Layout
Module boards (e.g., SparkFun) expose:
- VCCA, A1–A8, OE, GND, B1–B8, VCCB (20 pins total)
- Dimensions ~26 × 16 mm; plated‑through‑hole headers for easy soldering
⚙️ How It Works
The TXS0108E uses pass‑gate circuits with edge‑rate accelerators to automatically detect the direction of signals:
- Push–pull signals: full‑duplex up to 110 Mbps.
- Open‑drain interfaces (e.g. I²C, 1-wire): works with internal pull-ups to each side; up to 1.2 Mbp
- Enable/OE logic: OE tied low disables translator (Hi‑Z); tie high (or VCCA) to enable. Defaults disabled via pull‑down resistor on many breakout boards
✅ Typical Applications
- SPI / UART / GPIO bridging between 3.3 V and 5 V systems
- I²C bus translation (open‑drain auto‑direction sensing)
- Interfacing microcontrollers, sensors, SD cards, etc.
?️ Wiring Example (e.g., RPi ↔ Arduino):
- Connect RPi 3.3 V → VCCA and relevant A pins (A1-Ax).
- Connect Arduino 5 V → VCCB and matching B pins.
- Tie GND between both systems.
- Connect OE to VCCA (3.3 V) to enable translator.
- Connect your data lines: e.g., A1 ↔ B1, A2 ↔ B2, etc.
⚠️ Notes & Limitations
- Not ideal for analog signals—designed for digital logic edges.
- Pull‑ups: internal ones for open‑drain lines; external pull‑ups may be needed for heavy loads or long wires.
- OE must never be left floating—tie it explicitly to avoid undefined behavior .
- Bidirectional auto-detect doesn’t work for all analog speeds—best for digital buses with moderate speeds.