The MM74HC540 and MM74HC541 3-STATE buffers utilize advanced silicon-gate CMOS technology. They possess high drive current outputs which enable high speed operation even when driving large bus capacitances. These circuits achieve speeds comparable to low power Schottky devices, while retaining the advantage of CMOS circuitry, i.e., high noise immunity, and low power consumption. Both devices have a fanout of 15 LS-TTL equivalent inputs. The MM74HC540 is an inverting buffer and the MM74HC541 is a non-inverting buffer. The 3-STATE control gate operates as a two-input NOR such that if either G1# or G2# are HIGH, all eight outputs are in the high-impedance state. In order to enhance PC board layout, the MM74HC540 and MM74HC541 offers a pinout having inputs and outputs on opposite sides of the package. All inputs are protected from damage due to static discharge by diodes to VCCand ground.