ICL232IBET

Overview

The Intersil ICL232IBET is a dual transmitter and dual receiver RS-232 transceiver designed for +3V to +5.5V single-supply operation. It meets EIA/TIA-232 and V.28/V.24 specifications at 3.0V, featuring on-chip charge pumps requiring only four external 0.1µF capacitors. The device provides ±15kV ESD protection on RS-232 pins and includes automatic power-down functionality that reduces standby supply current to 1µA. It operates within a temperature range of -40°C to +85°C and is housed in a 16-pin SOIC package.

Feature Summary

• Automatic power-down circuitry reduces standby current to 1µA when no valid RS-232 signal is detected
• Integrated charge pumps eliminate the need for external voltage sources
• Robust ±15kV ESD protection on all RS-232 I/O pins
• Low power consumption suitable for battery-operated portable systems

Applications

• Portable computers and notebook PCs
• Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)
• Industrial control systems with serial communication requirements
• Battery-powered handheld devices

Procurement Notes

Verify the suffix 'IBE' corresponds to the industrial temperature grade (-40°C to +85°C) and SOIC-16 package configuration. Confirm RoHS compliance status as manufacturing processes may vary by production batch. Cross-reference the manufacturer's latest datasheet to ensure the part remains active and matches the specific pinout requirements for your design.

Selection Notes

Select this component for designs requiring low-power RS-232 communication in space-constrained environments. It serves as a direct drop-in replacement for older 5V MAX232 devices, allowing migration to 3.3V logic systems without hardware redesign. Ensure external decoupling capacitors are placed close to the IC to maintain signal integrity and meet EMI standards.

Part Context

The ICL232 belongs to the Intersil ICL32xxE family of low-power RS-232 transceivers. This series was engineered to replace legacy 5V components like the MAX232 and HIN232. The 'E' designation indicates enhanced features such as lower power consumption and improved ESD protection compared to standard versions.

Replacement Considerations

The ICL232IBET is a pin-compatible upgrade for the Maxim MAX232 and Hitachi HIN232. It can directly replace these parts in existing designs to reduce power consumption while maintaining compatibility with 3.3V and 5V logic levels.