Level translator for square waves

Help & Support Robot Parts
1

Hello,

I am trying to synchronize two different sensor systems (Xsens motion capture with Vicon motion capture) where one machine will send a 5V TTL square wave pulse to a second machine that receives only 3.3 V, as per this page (https://base.xsens.com/knowledgebase/s/article/MVN-Analyze-Synchronization-Options-TTL-1605784071402).

I am searching for a way to step down the 5V pulse from my master device to a 3.3V pulse that the receiver needs, and was informed by the vendor that I need a 5V to 3.3V SMD level translator. I have found this component: https://www.robotshop.com/ca/en/sparkfun-voltage-level-translator-breakout-pca9306.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwjbCDBhAwEiwAiudBywyiJJ0mpCJW7r4phQEUypjUYlZ-m__jSsOz6TQY_xEaArAg3uYsgRoCa4kQAvD_BwE. I originally had thought a buck converter is probably sufficient, but was told that chips for simple voltage step down might not switch fast enough. I just wanted to make sure that this particular chip can handle a 5V square wave in, and produce a 3.3V square wave out, or if not, then something else that might be suitable.

Thank you.

3

Hello @jf2lin and welcome to the RobotShop forum!

As what you need is to transform a digital signal from one level to another and not regulate a power voltage you need a logic level translator/shifter and not a voltage regulator.

The PCA9306 is a logic level translator, so yes you can use it to produce a 3.3V signal from a 5V signal.