MAX3238E 3-V TO 5.5-V MULTICHANNEL RS-232 LINE DRIVER/RECEIVER WITH ±15-kV ESD (HBM) PROTECTION is an RS-232 line driver/receiver IC manufactured by TI company. The chip has ±15 kV ESD (HBM) protection, supports TIA/EIA-232-F and ITU v.28 standards, and operates at 3-5.5V. It supports 400kbit/s transmission speed and has five drivers and three receivers. It also has low standby current (1µA typical), external capacitors (4×0.1µF) and other features.
The MAX3238E is a multichannel RS‑232 line driver/receiver that integrates five line drivers, three line receivers, and a dual charge‑pump circuit. It offers +15 kV Human‑Body Model (HBM) ESD protection on driver outputs and receiver inputs, making it suitable for battery‑powered and handheld applications such as notebooks, PDAs, and modems.
The device operates from a single 3 V to 5.5 V supply, supports data rates up to 400 kbit/s, and includes an auto‑power‑down plus feature that reduces standby current to about 1 µA when the serial port is idle. Electrical characteristics, switching performance, and mechanical dimensions are provided for PCB design and system integration.
| Supply voltage range | 3 V to 5.5 V |
|---|---|
| Maximum data rate | up to 400 kbit/s |
| Number of drivers | 5 |
| Number of receivers | 3 |
| ESD protection (HBM) | +15 kV |
| Typical standby current (auto‑powerdown) | 1 µA |
| Auto‑Powerdown Plus feature | Enabled, reduces supply current when idle |
The device operates from 3 V to 5.5 V.
It provides +15 kV Human‑Body Model (HBM) ESD protection.
The chip contains five line drivers and three line receivers.
When enabled, it powers down the charge pump and drivers after about 30 seconds of inactivity, reducing standby current to roughly 1 µA.