are modern IC minimum specs accurate/precise ?

i was re-checking the specs on the A618SEP replacement for my
SN75518N ....
advertised as drop in replacement

and i noticed that the minimum clock for A6818 is 10 MHz @ 5v
and the SN75518 has a 1-5 MHz range @ 5v which is quite a ways
out of spec from the replacement's specs

do you suppose the A6818 will work in the 1-5 MHz range ?

what is the experience with these sorts of operational minimums ?
i guess they would not state a minimum if there was no real
minimum ?

if it turns out that the a6818 does not function due to spec
differences
what would (is there something) one could do to get this
replacement to work ?

i have not tried yet but imagined this may be a problem and did
not wnat to start etching my adapter if there is some
solution/control chip i will need to add to my adapter

thanks for any advice,
rob

 

The A6818SEP spec sheet has a strange way of expressing the clock frequency
limits.

Look at the far left (Characteristics) clock column - It says they are going
to express the MAXIMUM frequency. Then in the Limits column for 5V they
give a Minimum of 10 MHz and a Typical of 33 MHz.

What that means is, the maximum frequency is at least 10 MHz, but most
devices will work to 33 MHz. You may use a frequency of 1-5 MHz and be
assured it will work.

I'd call their expression a negative positive

They didn't.

 

thank you,
i was getting all psych'd about etching this board and then the
specs were not looking good.
thanks Don for the big sigh of relief,
rob