Part Number: MAX232, MAX232CPE

Function: +5V-Powered, Multichannel RS-232 Driver / Receiver

Package: DIP 16 Pin

Manufacturer: Maxim Integrated

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What is MAX232?

This is Multichannel RS-232 Driver / Receiver.

The MAX220, MAX232 Thru MAX249 family of line drivers/receivers is intended for all EIA/TIA-232E and V.28/V.24 communications interfaces, particularly applications where ±12V is not available.

These parts are especially useful in battery-powered systems, since their low-power shutdown mode reduces power dissipation to less than 5µW. The MAX225, MAX233, MAX235, and MAX245, MAX246, MAX247 use no external components and are recommended for applications where printed circuit board space is critical.

The MAX220 thru MAX249 are offered in 26 different packages with temperatures from 0 to +70°C up to -55°C to +125°C. See ordering information table at the end of the data sheet for all package and temperature options.

 

Pinouts:

RS-232 Drivers

The typical driver output voltage swing is ±8V when loaded with a nominal 5kΩRS-232 receiver and VCC=+5V. Output swing is guaranteed to meet the EIA/TIA-232E and V.28 specification, which calls for ±5V minimum driver output levels under worst-case conditions. These include a minimum 3kΩload, VCC= +4.5V, and maximum operating temperature. Unloaded driver output voltage ranges from (V+ -1.3V) to (V- +0.5V).

RS-232 Receivers

EIA/TIA-232E and V.28 specifications define a voltage level greater than 3V as a logic 0, so all receivers invert. Input thresholds are set at 0.8V and 2.4V, so receivers respond to TTL level inputs as well as EIA/TIA-232E and V.28 levels. The receiver inputs withstand an input overvoltage up to ±25V and provide input terminating resistors with nominal 5kΩvalues. The receivers implement Type 1 interpretation of the fault conditions of V.28 and EIA/TIA-232E.

Applications / Uses :

1. Battery-Powered RS-232 Systems
2. Interface Translation
3. Low-Power Modems
4. Multidrop RS-232 Networks
5. ortable Computing

Reference Site: [ Wikipedia MAX232 Info ]

MAX232 vs MAX3232?

1. Supply voltage range:

MAX232 is designed to operate with a single +5V supply voltage, while MAX3232 can operate with a wider range of supply voltages, from +3V to +5.5V.

2. Maximum data rate:

MAX232 can support a maximum data rate of 120 kbps, while MAX3232 can support data rates up to 1 Mbps.

3. Number of drivers/receivers:

MAX232 has two drivers and two receivers, while MAX3232 has four drivers and four receivers.

4. Power consumption: MAX3232 has a lower power consumption than MAX232.

MAX232 Datasheet PDF Download

Other data sheets are available within the file: MAX220 Thru MAX249, MAX222C-D, MAX223C-D