3V-Powered, Low-Power, True RS-232 Transceiver

The MAX212 RS-232 transceiver is intended for 3V-powered EIA/TIA-232E and V.28/V.24 communication interfaces where three drivers and five receivers are needed with minimum power consumption. The operating voltage range extends from 3.6V down to 3.0V while still maintaining true RS-232 and EIA/TIA-562 voltage levels.

A 1µA typical shutdown mode reduces power consumption, extending battery life in portable systems. While shut down, all receivers can remain active or can be disabled under logic control. This enables a system incorporating the CMOS MAX212 to be in low-power shutdown mode and monitor incoming RS-232 activity.

A guaranteed data rate of 120kbps provides compatibility with popular software for communicating with personal computers.

Three-state drivers on all receiver outputs are provided so that multiple receivers, generally of different interface standards, can be wire-ORed at the UART.

The MAX212 is available in both small-outline (SO) and shrink-small-outline (SSOP) packages. The SSOP package occupies less than half of the board area required by the equivalent SO package.

Applications

* Computers: Notebooks/Palmtops/Subnotebooks * Instruments * Peripherals * Printers

* Operates from Single +3.0V to +3.6V Supply

* 24-Pin SSOP or Wide SO Packages

* Meets All EIA/TIA-232E and EIA/TIA-562 Specifications

* 3mA Max Supply Current (Unloaded)

* 1µA Low-Power Shutdown Mode

* All Receivers Active During Low-Power Shutdown

* Mouse Compatible at 3.0V

* Low-Cost, Surface-Mount External Components

* 120kbps Guaranteed Data Rate-LapLink™ Compatible

* Three-State Receiver Outputs

* Evaluation Kit Available

* Flow-Through Pinout