The maximum clock frequency is typically limited by the rise and fall times of the clock signal, as well as the capacitive load on the clock line. As a general rule, the clock frequency should not exceed 20 MHz to ensure reliable operation.
To ensure proper initialization, the RCLR (Reset) pin should be tied to VCC through a pull-up resistor, and the SRCLR (Synchronous Reset) pin should be tied to GND through a pull-down resistor. This will ensure that the shift register is reset to a known state after power-up.
There is no theoretical limit to the number of shift registers that can be cascaded together, but the maximum number is typically limited by the capacitive load on the data lines and the clock signal. As a general rule, it's recommended to limit the number of cascaded shift registers to 4-6 to ensure reliable operation.
The latency introduced by the shift register is typically equal to the number of clock cycles required to shift the data through the register. To minimize latency, it's recommended to use a clock frequency that is as high as possible while still ensuring reliable operation, and to use a parallel-in, parallel-out shift register architecture whenever possible.
The recommended operating voltage range for the SN74HC594DTG4 is 2 V to 6 V, with a typical operating voltage of 5 V. Operating the device outside of this range may affect its performance and reliability.
SN74HC594DTG4 datasheet
by Texas Instruments
