The SN65LVDS84AQ FlatLink™ transmitter contains three 7-bit parallel-load serial-out shift registers, and four low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS) line drivers in a single integrated circuit. These functions allow 21 bits of single-ended LVTTL data to be synchronously transmitted over 3 balanced-pair conductors for receipt by a compatible receiver, such as the SN75LVDS82 or SN75LVDS86/86A.

When transmitting, data bits D0–D20 are each loaded into registers of the SN65LVDS84AQ upon the falling edge. The internal PLL is frequency-locked to CLKIN and then used to unload the data registers in 7-bit slices. The three serial streams and a phase-locked clock (CLKOUT) are then output to LVDS output drivers. The frequency of CLKOUT is the same as the input clock, CLKIN.

The SN65LVDS84AQ requires no external components and little or no control. The data bus appears the same at the input to the transmitter and output of the receiver with the data transmission transparent to the user(s). The only user intervention is the possible use of the shutdown/clear (SHTDN) active-low input to inhibit the clock and shut off the LVDS output drivers for lower power consumption. A low-level on this signal clears all internal registers to a low level.

The SN65LVDS84AQ is characterized for operation over the full automotive temperature range of –40°C to 125°C.