Active 74AC buffer in 20-SSOP — fit and sourcing
The Texas Instruments SN74AC244DBR is a 74AC-series octal buffer with non-inverting logic and 3-state outputs. It packs two 4-bit elements into a 20-SSOP (5.30 mm width) surface-mount package. Supply range spans 2V to 6V, making it compatible with 3.3V and 5V rails. Output drive is rated 24 mA per channel on both high and low states — enough to drive a bus or a bank of LEDs without external buffers.
The 2V to 6V supply range means this part works on 3.3V or 5V rails without a level translator. The 24 mA output current is symmetric — sourcing and sinking — so it can handle bus-hold or line-driving loads up to about 12 standard LSTTL loads per output. If you need higher drive (e.g., 32 mA), the 74LVTH16245 transceiver is a functional alternative but draws more quiescent current and runs on 2.7V to 3.6V only.
ROHS3 compliant, no exemptions. That means it stays on the BOM without requalification risk for new builds.
