Bi-Directional Voltage-Level Translator

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Pin Configuration

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Side A (Port A - Lower Voltage Side)

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Side B (Port B - Higher Voltage Side)

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Key Features

• TXB0104PW Core: Advanced 4-bit non-inverting translator with automatic direction sensing.
• Auto-Direction Sensing: Eliminates the need for external direction-control signals, enabling plug-and-play communication.
• Wide Voltage Translation:
  • Port A: 1.2V to 3.6V
  • Port B: 1.65V to 5.5V
• High Speed Capability:
  • Up to 100 Mbps for push-pull drivers (SPI, UART, standard GPIO)
  • Up to 20 Mbps for open-drain configurations
• Low Power Consumption: $4\,\mu\text{A}$ maximum static current ($I_{CC}$).
• Built-in ESD Protection: $\pm 15\text{-kV}$ Human Body Model (HBM) ESD protection on B-port lines.
• 4 Independent Channels: Capable of converting up to 4 parallel data or control lines simultaneously.

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Applications

• Bridging 3.3V microcontrollers (GLYPH, ESP32, RP2040) with 5V logic sensors and displays.
• Interfacing 1.8V ultra-low-power sensors with standard 3.3V systems.
• High-speed level shifting for SPI buses (SCK, MOSI, MISO, CS).
• UART level translation (TX, RX, RTS, CTS).
• Mixed-voltage prototyping and industrial control interface modules.

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Step 1: Hardware Required

1. Glyph Board (e.g., Glyph ESP32-C3) or compatible 3.3V development board
2. G-MOD Bi-Voltage Level Translator Module (TXB0104PW)
3. 5V Device or Target Peripheral (e.g., 5V Arduino, 5V sensor, or 5V logic source)
4. Jumper wires and breadboard

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Step 2: Circuit Connections

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Step 3: Arduino Code Setup

1. Open Arduino IDE.
2. Copy and paste the following code into the Arduino IDE:

// UART Bidirectional Level Shifting Example using TXB0104
// Connect A1 to GPIO 4 (TX), A2 to GPIO 5 (RX)

#define TX_PIN 4
#define RX_PIN 5

HardwareSerial LevelShiftSerial(1);

void setup() {
  // Initialize primary serial monitor communication
  Serial.begin(115200);
  delay(1000);

  Serial.println("--- TXB0104 Voltage Level Translator Test ---");

  // Initialize secondary serial port on GPIO 4 & 5 at 9600 baud
  LevelShiftSerial.begin(9600, SERIAL_8N1, RX_PIN, TX_PIN);
  Serial.println("UART port initialized on GPIO 4 (TX) & GPIO 5 (RX).");
}

void loop() {
  // Send data from 3.3V GLYPH to 5V peripheral through TXB0104 (A1 -> B1)
  LevelShiftSerial.println("PING from 3.3V GLYPH");
  Serial.println("Sent: 'PING from 3.3V GLYPH' -> Shifted to 5V (B1)");

  // Read response from 5V peripheral shifted to 3.3V (B2 -> A2)
  unsigned long timeout = millis() + 500;
  while (millis() < timeout) {
    if (LevelShiftSerial.available()) {
      String response = LevelShiftSerial.readStringUntil('\n');
      Serial.print("Received shifted response: ");
      Serial.println(response);
      break;
    }
  }

  delay(2000);
}

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Step 4: Upload the Code

1. Connect the Board
   • Connect your GLYPH board to your computer using a USB-C cable.
2. Select the Board and Port
   • In Arduino IDE, go to Tools > Board > esp32 > Pcbcupid GLYPH C3.

• Go to Tools > Port and select the serial port assigned to your GLYPH.
• Set Tools > USB CDC on Boot to Enabled.

3. Upload the Code
   • Click the Upload button (➡️ icon) or press Ctrl + U to compile and flash the firmware.

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Step 5: Observe Output on Serial Monitor

1. Open the Arduino IDE Serial Monitor (Ctrl + Shift + M).
2. Set the baud rate to 115200.
3. Verify that outbound 3.3V signals are shifted to 5V on Port B, and incoming 5V signals from the peripheral are translated safely to 3.3V on Port A without distortion.