MC3487N

What does this differential line driver do?

The MC3487N converts four independent TTL-compatible input signals into differential output pairs. It is designed for balanced digital signal transmission between electronic circuits.

Which communication standards does this device meet?

The device is designed to meet or exceed the requirements of ANSI TIA/EIA-422-B and ITU Recommendation V.11. It provides line-driving functions rather than a complete communication interface.

What supply voltage is required?

A single nominal 5 V DC supply is required. The recommended operating supply range is 4.75 V to 5.25 V.

How many driver channels are included?

There are four independent differential driver channels. Each channel has one logic input and two complementary outputs, with output enable controls shared between channels 1 and 2, and between channels 3 and 4.

What package and mounting style does this device use?

The MC3487N uses a 16-pin plastic dual-in-line package, or PDIP, for through-hole mounting. Its package should be checked against the circuit board footprint when selecting a replacement.

What is the recommended operating temperature range?

The recommended operating free-air temperature range is 0°C to 70°C. This is the operating range, not the storage temperature range.

How do the output enable controls work?

A high logic level on an enable input activates its associated pair of driver channels. A low logic level places both differential outputs of those channels in a high-impedance state.

What input logic levels are required?

The inputs are TTL-compatible. A high-level input must be at least 2 V, while a low-level input must be no more than 0.8 V, within the specified operating conditions.

What differential output voltage is specified?

The device provides a minimum differential output voltage magnitude of 2 V with a 100-ohm load under the specified test conditions. The actual output depends on the connected load and operating conditions.

How quickly do the outputs respond to an input change?

The specified maximum propagation delay is 20 ns for both low-to-high and high-to-low output transitions. This specification applies at a 5 V supply with a 15 pF load under the datasheet test conditions.

What happens to the outputs during power transitions?

Internal circuitry maintains the differential outputs in a high-impedance state during power-up and power-down transitions, provided the corresponding output enable input is held low.

Which receiver is intended to work with this driver?

The MC3487N is designed for optimum performance with the MC3486 quadruple differential line receiver. The driver sends differential signals, while the receiver converts them back into logic signals.

What should be checked before fitting a replacement?

Check the 16-pin PDIP footprint, pin assignments, supply voltage, input logic levels, output enable connections and operating temperature requirements. A similar-looking device should not be treated as interchangeable without checking its electrical specifications.