Digital buffer is an electronic component that is being used all around us. It’s used for temperature measurement in boilers as well as in an aircraft flying in cold environments. It’s also used in control circuits designed for aircraft, airports, subways, and in a multitude of production operations.
There’s no shortage of applications when it comes to digital buffers but what does this component actually do? In principle, the digital buffer is used for the isolation of the input from the output. This means that either no voltage is generated or an output voltage the same as the input voltage is generated.
Digital buffers are also known as unity gain buffers because the gain is equal to 1. In simpler words, since digital buffers give the same output voltage as the input – or none at all – they have no amplification function.
So how exactly can we achieve amplification using a digital buffer which, in principle, is a device with no amplification function? Let’s find out!
Digital Buffer Amplification: The Fan-out Parameter
Unlike the NOT logic gate which inverts the input, digital buffer isolates the input voltage, which means it forwards the input voltage as is. In fact, a digital buffer can also be created using two NOT gates connected together.
The first one will invert the input and then the second will re-invert it again. This double inversion leads to a non-inverting effect, which is exactly what a digital buffer is!
Now let’s get to the question of how digital buffer amplifies an input signal. Essentially, the amplification can be credited to the Fan-out parameter of the buffer. The fan-out is the output driving ability of a logic gate.
In general circuitry, the output of a logic gate is mostly linked to the inputs of other logic gates. So fan-out is the count of parallel loads that a single buffer can drive simultaneously. When working in the capacity of a current source, a digital buffer can operate as many as 20 gates belonging to the same logic family.
The number of gates a digital buffer can control is known as its fan-out rating. However, it’s also worth mentioning that if a digital buffer with a high fan-out rating requires a similarly high fan-in rating.
In simpler words, to operate as a high current source, digital buffer requires a high current sink as well. If you’re looking for a fanout buffer which can be used as a high-speed broadband amplifier, ADSANTEC has got just the right product for you!
Check out our online store to order the ASNT5023-PQC (FANOUT BUFFER) or get in touch now!