NC7SZ125M5X-L22090 - TinyLogic UHS Buffer 3-State SOT-23-5 | onsemi
MPN: NC7SZ125M5X-L22090 ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0.41 | $0.41 |
| 10 | $0.36 | $3.60 |
| 100 | $0.27 | $27.00 |
| 500 | $0.21 | $105.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.16 | $160.00 |
| 3,000 | $0.12 | $360.00 |
NC7SZ125M5X-L22090 Overview
A buffer in CMOS logic is a non-inverting driver that copies a digital input to its output while providing isolation and current amplification between source and load. Buffers belong to the broader family of logic ICs under digital signal conditioning, alongside inverters, transceivers, and line drivers; TinyLogic UHS parts sit at the high-speed end of this taxonomy, optimized for short propagation delay and high fan-out within a small SOT-23 outline.
Key specifications include a propagation delay (tPD) of approximately 2.6 ns at 5 V, output drive of ±24 mA at 4.5 V VCC, quiescent current well under 10 uA across the supply range, and TTL-compatible inputs when VCC is at 4.5 V to 5.5 V. The /OE pin features an internal pull-up so the output defaults to high-impedance (effectively disabled) if the pin is left floating, simplifying power-up behavior in mixed-voltage buses.
The NC7SZ125 architecture uses a single-stage CMOS inverter/buffer chain with a tri-state output totem pole. Because the silicon is specified over 1.65 V to 5.5 V, the same footprint can serve 1.8 V, 2.5 V, 3.3 V, and 5 V logic domains, making it ideal as a voltage-level translation element when driven from a lower-voltage controller I/O into a higher-voltage bus.
Typical applications include point-to-point signal buffering in portable and consumer devices, I/O expansion for microcontrollers, address/data bus isolation in memory and display interfaces, and translation between logic domains in mixed-voltage systems. It is also commonly used as a high-impedance power-gating switch for sub-system rails.
When designing with this part, place a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VCC pin, and treat the SOT-23-5 thermal pad (when present) as a low-impedance ground return. Avoid driving large capacitive loads (>50 pF) without series damping, because the high drive strength can create ground-bounce issues on tightly-routed boards.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the onsemi datasheet alone, giving engineers a faster decision path for cross-brand or second-source selection.
Drop-in alternatives for NC7SZ125M5X-L22090 — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with NC7SZ125M5X-L22090 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Temperature, MSL Level, RoHS Status, Function, Input Voltage Tolerance.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
NC7SZ125M5X
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →NC7SZ125P5X
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
SN74LVC1G125DBVR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.13 / Unit
View Datasheet →74LVC1G125GW
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
74LVC1G125SE-7
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
NC7SZ125M5X-L22090 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Function | Buffer, Non-Inverting |
| Number of Elements | 1 |
| Bits per Element | 1 |
| Output Type | 3-State |
| Logic Family | TinyLogic UHS (CMOS) |
| Supply Voltage (VCC) | 1.65 V to 5.5 V |
| Output Drive (IOH/IOL) | ±24 mA at 4.5 V VCC |
| Input Compatibility | TTL-compatible at VCC = 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Enable Input (/OE) | Active-low, internal pull-up |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C |
| Package | SOT-23-5 (M5) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Quiescent Current (ICC) | < 10 uA (typical) |
| Propagation Delay (tPD) | Approx. 2.6 ns at 5 V VCC |
NC7SZ125M5X-L22090 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | /OE — Active-low output enable; internal pull-up holds output in high-impedance when floating |
| Pin 2 | A — Data input |
| Pin 3 | GND — Ground reference |
| Pin 4 | Y — Buffered non-inverting data output; 3-state when /OE is high |
| Pin 5 | VCC — Supply voltage, 1.65 V to 5.5 V |
Typical Applications
NC7SZ125M5X-L22090 is suitable for 6 applications: I/O Expansion for Microcontrollers, Mixed-Voltage Level Translation, Address/Data Bus Isolation in Memory Interfaces, Portable Consumer Device Signal Buffering, Industrial Control Signal Conditioning, LED Driver and Indicator Buffering.
I/O Expansion for Microcontrollers
The NC7SZ125M5X-L22090 fits I/O expansion use cases because its 1.65 V to 5.5 V VCC range lets a single buffer sit on any modern MCU rail (1.8 V, 3.3 V, or 5 V) without level-shift circuitry, and its ±24 mA drive lets a weak MCU GPIO control heavier loads such as LEDs, relay coils, or bus segments. Placing the buffer between the MCU pin and the load also provides electrical isolation, so an ESD event on the external connector is absorbed by the TinyLogic UHS output stage rather than the MCU. The active-low /OE pin enables dynamic bus sharing, allowing multiple peripherals to share a single MCU pin in time-multiplexed fashion.
Recommended
Mixed-Voltage Level Translation
The NC7SZ125M5X-L22090 is well suited for unidirectional 3.3 V to 5 V level translation: power VCC at 5 V, drive the input pin from a 3.3 V CMOS controller, and read the buffered 5 V CMOS-compatible output downstream. Per the onsemi NC7SZ125 datasheet, TTL-compatible inputs recognize VIL <= 0.8 V and VIH >= 2.0 V at VCC = 4.5 V, so 3.3 V CMOS signals cleanly cross both thresholds. Its sub-10 uA quiescent current also keeps power overhead negligible when the translator sits idle, which matters for always-on rails in IoT gateways.
Recommended
Address/Data Bus Isolation in Memory Interfaces
For address and data bus isolation in SRAM, NOR flash, or display interfaces, the NC7SZ125M5X-L22090 provides a tri-state output controlled by /OE, which is essential for sharing a bus between multiple devices. Its 2.6 ns propagation delay at 5 V introduces minimal timing overhead, preserving bus throughput up to the memory's rated speed. The SOT-23-5 footprint also fits densely alongside each memory chip's control pins, allowing per-chip enable buffering without board-area penalty, and the TTL-compatible inputs accept 3.3 V logic levels when VCC is 5 V for legacy 5 V memory devices.
Recommended
Portable Consumer Device Signal Buffering
In portable consumer designs such as wearables, wireless earbuds, and handheld instruments, the NC7SZ125M5X-L22090 provides compact point-to-point signal buffering with sub-10 uA quiescent current that does not drain the battery, plus a SOT-23-5 footprint that fits inside even the smallest enclosures. Its ±24 mA output drive can directly pulse a status LED or piezo buzzer without an external transistor, and the 1.65 V minimum VCC supports direct connection to single-cell Li-Ion battery stacks when they sag below 3 V. The active-low /OE with internal pull-up also lets the buffer default to high-impedance during deep-sleep, eliminating back-powering into disabled subsystems.
Recommended
Industrial Control Signal Conditioning
For industrial control boards operating over the -40 C to +85 C range, the NC7SZ125M5X-L22090 conditions slow or noisy sensor signals before they reach a PLC or MCU input. The ±24 mA drive can also fan out to optocouplers that switch 24 V field-side loads, replacing heavier discrete transistor buffers. With 1.65 V to 5.5 V operation, the same part handles both legacy 5 V PLC backplanes and modern 3.3 V MCUs, simplifying BOM standardization across product variants. The SOT-23-5 package tolerates conformal coating and vibration typical of factory-floor environments.
Recommended
LED Driver and Indicator Buffering
The NC7SZ125M5X-L22090 drives indicator LEDs directly because its ±24 mA output sink capability at 4.5 V is sufficient to switch a standard 20 mA LED through a series resistor without an external BJT. This eliminates a transistor and base resistor per indicator on the PCB, reducing BOM cost and board area. The /OE pin can also be PWM-modulated by the host MCU to dim the LED or generate visual alerts, while the buffer's high-speed switching keeps the PWM frequency clean above the flicker-fusion threshold for human-perceptible dimming.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for NC7SZ125M5X-L22090 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | NC7SZ125M5X | NC7SZ125P5X | SN74LVC1G125DBVR | 74LVC1G125GW | 74LVC1G125SE-7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | onsemi | onsemi | onsemi | Texas Instruments | NXP Semiconductors | Diodes Incorporated |
| Package | SOT-23-5 (M5) | SOT-23-5 (M5) - same | SC-70-5 - smaller footprint, same pinout | SOT-23-5 (DBV) - same | SOT-353-1 (GW) - same footprint | SOT-353 - same footprint |
| Supply Voltage (VCC) | 1.65 V to 5.5 V | 1.65 V to 5.5 V | 1.65 V to 5.5 V | 1.65 V to 5.5 V | 1.65 V to 5.5 V | 1.65 V to 5.5 V |
| Output Drive | ±24 mA at 4.5 V | ±24 mA at 4.5 V | ±24 mA at 4.5 V | ±24 mA at 4.5 V | ±24 mA at 4.5 V | ±24 mA at 4.5 V |
| Propagation Delay (tPD) | ~2.6 ns at 5 V | ~2.6 ns at 5 V | ~2.6 ns at 5 V | ~3.7 ns at 3.3 V | ~3.5 ns at 3.3 V | ~3.5 ns at 3.3 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +125 C (extended) | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +125 C |
| Enable Pin Polarity | Active-low /OE with internal pull-up | Active-low /OE with internal pull-up | Active-low /OE with internal pull-up | Active-low /OE, no internal pull-up | Active-low /OE, no internal pull-up | Active-low /OE, no internal pull-up |
| RoHS Compliance | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- Internal pull-up on /OE pin (vs SN74LVC1G125DBVR)
- Same-die second source within onsemi portfolio (vs NC7SZ125P5X)
- Wider operating temperature on competing brands (vs SN74LVC1G125DBVR)
Design Notes
Place a 0.1 uF X7R ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VCC pin (pin 5) of the NC7SZ125M5X-L22090, with the ground return via a short trace or via to the ground plane. A bulk 1 uF to 10 uF capacitor on the same VCC rail further reduces supply impedance during output transitions. Although quiescent current is sub-10 uA, the ±24 mA output drive causes brief current spikes during switching, so adequate decoupling prevents VCC droop that could couple into nearby analog or RF circuits.
Route the input trace on pin 2 away from the output trace on pin 4 to avoid crosstalk in high-impedance nodes, and keep the SOT-23-5 thermal pad (when present per package variant) tied to ground for mechanical stability. Avoid long output traces that exceed 50 pF of total capacitance, because the high ±24 mA drive can create ground bounce and ringing on tightly-routed boards; if the load is intrinsically capacitive, place a 22-33 ohm series damping resistor within 5 mm of the Y output pin.
Estimated: when driving 50 pF at 5 V VCC, the buffer can generate ground-bounce transients of approximately 0.5 V on a poorly-decoupled ground return (input values: 24 mA drive, 2 ns edge rate, 0.5 nH ground inductance). To minimize this, use a continuous ground plane beneath the SOT-23-5 footprint, multiple ground vias stitching the thermal pad, and avoid sharing ground returns between the buffer and noise-sensitive analog circuitry.
Do not leave /OE (pin 1) floating if you require a defined output state at power-up; the internal pull-up defaults the output to high-impedance, which is safe for bus sharing but may surprise engineers expecting an active output. Do not drive the input beyond VCC, because the absolute-maximum input voltage equals VCC per the onsemi datasheet. Do not parallel multiple NC7SZ125 outputs to increase drive strength, as the tri-state output stages can fight and cause destructive current flow.
Compliance Information
Standard-grade industrial part, not AEC-Q100 qualified for automotive; choose NC7SZ125Q5X or similar Q-suffix variant for automotive applications.
