SN74LS169BNE4 Texas Instruments Integrated Circuit (Dual-In-Line Packages) In Stock
SN74LS169BNE4 is a synchronous 4-bit up/down binary counter in a 16-pin DIP package from the 74LS logic family. It operates at up to 20 MHz, provides parallel load and terminal count output, and cascades easily for wider count ranges. Suitable for frequency division, event counting, and address generation in digital control circuits.
- Manufacturer
- Texas Instruments
- Package
- Dual-In-Line Packages
- Pin Count
- 16
- Lifecycle
- OBSOLETE
- Datasheet
- SN74LS169BNE4 Datasheet PDF
- Category
- Integrated Circuit
- Temp Range
- ?°C to 70.0°C
- RoHS
- Compliant
- Lead Time
- 3–7 business days
- Shipping
- DHL Express · Worldwide
What are the key features of SN74LS169BNE4?
- Synchronous 4-bit bidirectional binary counter counting up or down
- Maximum clock frequency of 20 MHz with 45 pF load capacitance
- Parallel synchronous load for presettable starting count values
- Terminal count output (TCO) enabling cascading to 8-bit, 12-bit counters
- 74LS family logic operating from 4.75 V to 5.25 V supply
- 16-pin DIP package for through-hole prototyping and industrial boards
- Active-low enable inputs for synchronous gating without output glitches
What is SN74LS169BNE4 used for?
The SN74LS169BNE4 is used in digital frequency dividers, programmable timers, and event counting circuits on industrial control boards and embedded prototyping platforms. Its bidirectional counting and cascadable TCO output make it a practical building block for address counters in memory interface circuits and stepper motor position tracking applications. It also finds use in laboratory instruments and legacy digital systems requiring through-hole 74LS-compatible counter ICs.
What are the specifications of SN74LS169BNE4?
| YTEOL | 0 |
| Additional Feature | TCO OUTPUT |
| Count Direction | BIDIRECTIONAL |
| Family | LS |
| JESD-30 Code | R-PDIP-T16 |
| JESD-609 Code | e4 |
| Load Capacitance (CL) | 45pF |
| Load/Preset Input | YES |
| Logic IC Type | BINARY COUNTER |
| Max Frequency@Nom-Sup | 20000000Hz |
| Max I(ol) | 0.024A |
| Mode of Operation | SYNCHRONOUS |
| Number of Bits | 4 |
| Number of Functions | 1 |
| Package Body Material | PLASTIC/EPOXY |
| Package Equivalence Code | DIP16,.3 |
| Package Shape | RECTANGULAR |
| Package Style | IN-LINE |
| Packing Method | TUBE |
| Power Supply Current-Max (ICC) | 45mA |
| Prop. Delay@Nom-Sup | 40ns |
| Propagation Delay (tpd) | 25ns |
| Qualification Status | Not Qualified |
| Supply Voltage-Max (Vsup) | 5.25V |
| Supply Voltage-Min (Vsup) | 4.75V |
| Supply Voltage-Nom (Vsup) | 5V |
| Surface Mount | NO |
| Technology | TTL |
| Temperature Grade | COMMERCIAL |
| Terminal Finish | NICKEL PALLADIUM GOLD |
| Terminal Form | THROUGH-HOLE |
| Terminal Pitch | 2.54mm |
| Terminal Position | DUAL |
| Trigger Type | POSITIVE EDGE |
| fmax-Min | 20MHz |
| Package | Dual-In-Line Packages |
Compliance & Regulatory
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes (Pb-Free) |
| HTS Code | 8542.39.00.60 |
| Country of Origin | Malaysia, Mexico |
Where can I find the SN74LS169BNE4 datasheet?
SN74LS169BNE4 Datasheet DownloadOfficial datasheet from Texas Instruments
What are equivalent replacements for SN74LS169BNE4?
Compatible alternatives and drop-in replacements for SN74LS169BNE4:
Binary Counter, LS Series, Synchronous, Positive Edge Triggered, 4-Bit, Bidirectional, TTL, PDIP16
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum clock frequency of SN74LS169BNE4 and how does it affect cascaded designs?
SN74LS169BNE4 clocks at up to 20 MHz with a 45 pF load, providing a counting rate sufficient for audio frequency division and medium-speed digital event counting. When cascading two devices to form an 8-bit counter, the terminal count output propagation adds approximately 15 ns of delay per stage, limiting the cascaded system to around 15 MHz for reliable synchronous operation.
How does the synchronous parallel load of SN74LS169BNE4 benefit programmable timer designs?
The synchronous parallel load loads all 4 bits simultaneously on the active clock edge, allowing the counter to be preset to any value from 0 to 15 without output glitches. In a programmable timer, this means the period can be changed mid-operation by loading a new start value, and the change takes effect in exactly 1 clock cycle for deterministic timing accuracy.
Can SN74LS169BNE4 be cascaded to build a wider counter and what output enables this?
Yes, the terminal count output (TCO) goes active when the counter reaches its terminal count of 15 (up mode) or 0 (down mode), and this output directly drives the count enable of the next stage. By connecting TCO of one SN74LS169BNE4 to the enable of a second device, designers build 8-bit counters reaching 255 counts, or 12-bit counters reaching 4095 counts with 3 cascaded stages.
For a legacy board replacement, what supply voltage does SN74LS169BNE4 require?
SN74LS169BNE4 requires a 5 V supply with a tolerance of 4.75 V to 5.25 V, consistent with all 74LS family devices. This standard 5 V requirement makes it a drop-in replacement for other 74LS169 counter ICs on existing PCBs and compatible with TTL-level I/O on 5 V microcontrollers and FPGAs with 5 V-tolerant I/O banks.
In what application scenarios is the bidirectional counting of SN74LS169BNE4 particularly useful?
Bidirectional counting is essential in quadrature encoder interfaces where a motor shaft turning clockwise increments the count while counter-clockwise rotation decrements it. SN74LS169BNE4 tracks a position range of 0 to 15 per stage in real time, and cascading two devices extends the range to 0 to 255, covering ±128 positions from a home reference for compact motion control systems.
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About Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments (TI) is a global semiconductor company headquartered in Dallas, Texas. TI designs and manufactures analog and embedded processing chips used in industrial, automotive, consumer, communications, and enterprise systems.
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