40ns comparitors with push-pull outputs

Texas Instruments has introduced two 40ns comparitors with push-pull outputs – rather than open-drain outputs.

TI TLV321x 45ns comparator
  • TLV3214-Q1 is a quad with automotive qualification
  • TLV3211 is a single for industrial use

Operation is across 1.8 to 5.5V, and -40 to +125°C.

Inputs are rail-to-rail, plus 200mV above and below, and maximum input offset is ±5mV across temperature at 5V (±1mV typically).


This rail-to-rail characteristic allows, for example, over-current trips to be based on shunt resistors in either power rail,


In fault conditions, including transients, input currents must be limited to a maximum of 10mA by added series resistance where necessary.

To discourage oscillation typically 1.8mV or hysteresis is built in (4mV max across temperature), and needs to be added to the input offset for design purposes. Depending on application, external hysteresis can still be required.

The 40ns max propogation delay figure is at 5V with 100mV over-drive and 15pF load. Across temperature this stretches out to 50ns.

Current-draw is typically ~45µA per channel, and a maximum of 60µA across temperature.

For predictable start-up, a power-on circuit has been included which holds the output low for up to 32μs after the power rail rises past 1.65V.

The automotive quad TLV3214-Q1 comes in 5 x 6.4mm 14pad TSSOP or 3 x 3mm 16pad WQFN, while the TLV3211 industrial single is packaged in 5pad 2 x 2.1mm SC70 or 2.9 x 2.8mm SOT-23.

Steve Bush

Steve Bush is the long-standing technology editor for Electronics Weekly, covering electronics developments for more than 25 years. He has a particular interest in the Power and Embedded areas of the industry. He also writes for the Engineer In Wonderland blog, covering 3D printing, CNC machines and miscellaneous other engineering matters.

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