HIN241CA

Overview

The HIN241CA is a dual RS-232 transceiver manufactured by Harris Corporation, belonging to the ICL241/ICL242 family of CMOS drivers and receivers. It operates from a single +5V supply and incorporates internal charge pumps to generate the necessary positive and negative voltages for RS-232 communication without requiring external components. The device features two drivers and two receivers, providing full duplex communication capability. It is designed for low power consumption and offers high noise immunity, making it suitable for portable battery-powered applications.

Feature Summary

• Integrated charge pump circuitry eliminates the need for external capacitors or dual voltage supplies
• Single +5V power supply operation ensures compatibility with standard logic levels
• Full duplex data transmission with independent drivers and receivers
• High noise immunity and ESD protection for reliable signal integrity

Applications

• Portable computers and laptops requiring serial communication ports
• Battery-operated handheld devices and mobile terminals
• Industrial control systems with limited power budgets
• Modems and communication equipment interfacing with microcontrollers

Procurement Notes

Verify the manufacturer origin as Harris Corporation or its successors, noting that Harris Semiconductor assets were acquired by Intersil and subsequently Renesas. Confirm the package type matches the required PCB footprint, typically SOIC or DIP. Ensure the component meets RoHS compliance if required for the specific application environment. Cross-reference the datasheet revision to confirm pinout compatibility with legacy designs.

Selection Notes

Select this component when a single +5V supply is available and external inductors or transformers are undesirable due to space constraints. Compare propagation delay specifications against system timing requirements. Consider the operating temperature range to ensure suitability for the intended environmental conditions. Verify that the output drive strength meets the capacitance load of the connected cable or interface.

Part Context

This part belongs to the broader family of RS-232 transceivers developed for low-power applications. Harris Corporation was a significant player in semiconductor manufacturing before its acquisition. The HIN prefix often denotes Harris Integrated Network products. This specific model represents a transition period where CMOS technology replaced older bipolar implementations for better power efficiency.

Replacement Considerations

Direct replacements include the ICL241CA from Intersil/Renesas, which shares identical pinouts and functionality. The MAX232 series from Maxim Integrated is a common alternative but may require different external capacitor configurations. Verify electrical parameters such as slew rate and output voltage levels to ensure compatibility with the target RS-232 port.