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LSF0204: SPI shared with other device working at 5V

Part Number: LSF0204
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: SN74AVC4T774

Hi, 

I have some questions about the LSF0204. Basically the LSF0402 is intended to be used as level translator for an SPI communication including all 4 signals (/CS, CLK, MOSI,MISO). I have seen all tutorial videos I came up to some questions.

1-  The SPI is shared with other devices such as an EEPROM and digital transceiver (5V) and the level translator is meant for an accelerator (3.3V).  

      I have placed only one pull up resistor 330ohms in B side for MISO up translation and the rest 3 signals are only meant for down translations.

      Would this affect the communication with the other devices ? speed would be limited to the pull up resistor and load capacitance ? 

2- The 330ohms is calculated to ensure at least speeds more than 10MHz. In case signal integrity issues, a smaller resistor would help to reach the speed required ?

3- The EN pin as I understood it should be controlled with a push pull output from a uC so no 200Kohms resistor needed for biasing?

Thank you !

  • Hi Said,

    I usually would recommend a unidirectional solution for SPI such as SN74AVC4T774, but LSF0204 will work in most cases.

    1-  The SPI is shared with other devices such as an EEPROM and digital transceiver (5V) and the level translator is meant for an accelerator (3.3V).  

    What do you mean by "accelerator?"

          I have placed only one pull up resistor 330ohms in B side for MISO up translation and the rest 3 signals are only meant for down translations.

          Would this affect the communication with the other devices ? speed would be limited to the pull up resistor and load capacitance ? 

    The 330 Ω resistor will cause a great deal of current draw (5 / 330 = 15 mA). Some devices are not capable of this amount of drive current, so you might run into problems.

    I would need to see a full schematic to comment on how the communication would be affected.

    2- The 330ohms is calculated to ensure at least speeds more than 10MHz. In case signal integrity issues, a smaller resistor would help to reach the speed required ?

    Yes - smaller resistors will increase edge rates, however, as mentioned above, they also increase required drive current. Many times this is a balancing act and you have to settle for an OK signal instead of a great signal.  This is why I recommend using a unidirectional solution like SN74AVC4T774.

    3- The EN pin as I understood it should be controlled with a push pull output from a uC so no 200Kohms resistor needed for biasing?

    Yes - the LSF0204 is unique in the LSF family as the EN pin does not directly control the bias voltage. You can drive that pin directly with a typical push-pull output.

  • HiEmrys,

    1. I mean Accelerometer but without importance. The thing is that SPI is shared with other devices working a 5V level and only for the Accelerometer the level shifter is used. The pull up 330Ohms is used only in MISO where the up translation, the rest is without Pull up resistor as they are only down translated to 3.3V. The A side (low side) 10K pull ups are used to ensure Leakage current.

    2- This I know , I have to make a compromise. The SN74AVC4T774 proposed is only 3.6 Vmax.

    Thank you
  • any Comments?
  • HiEmrys,

    1. I mean Accelerometer but without importance. The thing is that SPI is shared with other devices working a 5V level and only for the Accelerometer the level shifter is used. The pull up 330Ohms is used only in MISO where the up translation, the rest is without Pull up resistor as they are only down translated to 3.3V. The A side (low side) 10K pull ups are used to ensure Leakage current.

    2- This I know , I have to make a compromise. The SN74AVC4T774 proposed is only 3.6 Vmax.

    Thank you
  • Hi,
    I provided all of my comments above.