16K x 9 asynchronous FIFO — what it is and where it fits
The SN74ACT7202LA50NP is a 16K x 9 asynchronous FIFO memory from Texas Instruments, organized as 16,384 words by 9 bits wide. The 9-bit width covers an 8-bit data byte plus a parity or control bit, which makes it a natural fit for buffering between buses where the extra bit carries a tag or error-check flag. Asynchronous operation means the read and write clocks are independent — no common clock domain required. This is the go-to topology for crossing clock boundaries in data-acquisition front-ends, DSP pipelines, or any system where two asynchronous buses need a lossless buffer between them.
No NRND flag, no last-time-buy notice. The Bulk package means parts ship loose in tubes or trays, not taped and reeled. That is the standard delivery for DIP or SOIC wide-body footprints — no reel fee, no minimum quantity imposed by the carrier format.
Peer comparison — how the speed grade changes the fit
The closest sibling is the SN74ACT7202LA15DV, which shares the same 16K x 9 architecture and die family (74ACT7202) but carries a 15 ns access-time grade versus the 50 ns grade of the LA50NP. The LA50 suffix on this part signals the slower speed bin — fine for sub-20 MHz clock crossings, but a bottleneck if the downstream bus runs faster than 20 MHz.