True RS232 Transceivers MAX3232CPE Integrated Circuit Chip Using Four 0.1レF External Capacitors

3.0V to 5.5V, Low-Power, up to 1Mbps, True RS-232

Transceivers Using Four 0.1µF External Capacitors

General Description

The MAX3222/MAX3232/MAX3237/MAX3241 transceivers have a proprietary low-dropout transmitter output stage enabling true RS-232 performance from a 3.0V to 5.5V supply with a dual charge pump. The devices require only four small 0.1µF external chargepump capacitors. The MAX3222, MAX3232, and MAX3241 are guaranteed to run at data rates of 120kbps while maintaining RS-232 output levels. The MAX3237 is guaranteed to run at data rates of 250kbps in the normal operating mode and 1Mbps in the MegaBaud™ operating mode, while maintaining RS-232 output levels. The MAX3222/MAX3232 have 2 receivers and 2 drivers.

The MAX3222 features a 1µA shutdown mode that reduces power consumption and extends battery life in portable systems. Its receivers remain active in shutdown mode, allowing external devices such as modems to be monitored using only 1µA supply current. The MAX3222 and MAX3232 are pin, package, and functionally compatible with the industry-standard MAX242 and MAX232, respectively. The MAX3241 is a complete serial port (3 drivers/ 5 receivers) designed for notebook and subnotebook computers. The MAX3237 (5 drivers/3 receivers) is ideal for fast modem applications. Both these devices feature a shutdown mode in which all receivers can remain active while using only 1µA supply current. Receivers R1 (MAX3237/MAX3241) and R2 (MAX3241) have extra outputs in addition to their standard outputs. These extra outputs are always active, allowing external devices such as a modem to be monitored without forward biasing the protection diodes in circuitry that may have VCC completely removed. The MAX3222, MAX3237, and MAX3241 are available in space-saving TSSOP and SSOP packages.

__Detailed Description Dual Charge-Pump Voltage Converter

The MAX3222/MAX3232/MAX3237/MAX3241’s internal power supply consists of a regulated dual charge pump that provides output voltages of +5.5V (doubling charge pump) and -5.5V (inverting charge pump), regardless of the input voltage (VCC) over the 3.0V to 5.5V range. The charge pumps operate in a discontinuous mode; if the output voltages are less than 5.5V, the charge pumps are enabled, and if the output voltages exceed 5.5V, the charge pumps are disabled. Each charge pump requires a flying capacitor (C1, C2) and a reservoir capacitor (C3, C4) to generate the V+ and V- supplies.

High Data Rates

The MAX3222/MAX3232/MAX3241 maintain the RS-232 ±5.0V minimum transmitter output voltage even at high data rates. Figure 5 shows a transmitter loopback test circuit. Figure 6 shows a loopback test result at 120kbps, and Figure 7 shows the same test at 235kbps. For Figure 6, all transmitters were driven simultaneously at 120kbps into RS-232 loads in parallel with 1000pF. For Figure 7, a single transmitter was driven at 235kbps, and all transmitters were loaded with an RS-232 receiver in parallel with 1000pF. The MAX3237 maintains the RS-232 ±5.0V minimum transmitter output voltage at data rates up to 1Mbps. Figure 8 shows a loopback test result at 1Mbps with MBAUD = VCC. For Figure 8, all transmitters were loaded with an RS-232 receiver in parallel with 250pF.