I have an hex inverting buffer (HEF40098B) and I don't understand anything about the High-level-output-current and Low-level-output-current in it's datasheet.
What is the meaning of High-level-output-current and Low-level-output-current in the below table and why is the Low-level-output-current greater than the Output-clamping-current?
And the Low-level-output-current should not be Maximum instead of Minimum?
Consider this image: a CMOS push-pull output stage.
source of image Push pull CMOS output stage overcoming the distortion problem
Here's the definition of the IOH and IOL currents
By convention, the ammeter's common input is referenced to the fixed potential (low side or high side opposite the load). This is explained the "minus" and "plus" signs of the IOH and IOL currents. The values of these currents can be different may vary according to the characteristics of the internal transistors.
The IOK current relates to the protection of ESD diodes, which are designed to withstand specified currents when output voltages are exceeded.
When you have a DC load such as a LED on the buffer output, it consumes current.
The buffer is not an ideal voltage source with infinite current, so therefore the more current is drawn, the more the output voltage differs from ideal, because the driver output has some output impedance, so power is lost to heat in the output transistors.
So the output current is the value how much current you can draw from output while the voltage still being within guaranteed voltage values.
Why the other has min and the othet has max rating may be an error, or relate to the current direction having a sign. Usually the outputs are guaranteed to pass at least a rated amount of current with some rated voltage.
The clamping currents do not relate to buffer outputs, but when you externally push voltage outside limits and force current in or out so it goes through the protection circuitry.
That's why they are the maximum current separately for clamping and buffer output.
