The MAX3397E 15kV ESD-protected bidirectional level translator provides level shifting for data transfer in a multivoltage system. Externally applied voltages, VCC and VL, set the logic levels on either side of the device. A logic-low signal present on the VL side of the device appears as a logic-low signal on the VCC side of the device, and vice versa. The MAX3397E utilizes a transmission-gate-based design to allow data translation in either direction (VL VCC) on any single data line. The MAX3397E accepts VL from +1.2V to +5.5V and VCC from +1.65V to +5.5V, making the device ideal for data transfer between low-voltage ASICs/PLDs and higher voltage systems.