ICL3221EIV-T

Overview

The ICL3221EIV-T is a single driver and receiver RS-232 transceiver from the Renesas ICL32xxE series, designed for operation with a single power supply ranging from 3.0V to 5.5V. It complies with EIA/TIA-232 and V.28/V.24 specifications even at the minimum voltage of 3.0V. The device features ±15kV electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection on all RS-232 pins per IEC61000-4-2 standards. It incorporates efficient on-chip charge pumps requiring only four external 0.1µF capacitors. The component supports full-duplex communication with a guaranteed data rate exceeding 250kbps under worst-case load conditions. It includes automatic power-down functionality to minimize standby current consumption.

Feature Summary

• Integrated automatic power-down mode that reduces standby supply current to microampere levels when the RS-232 cable is disconnected or peripheral devices are powered off.
• Robust ±15kV ESD protection on transmitter outputs and receiver inputs, ensuring reliability against electrostatic discharge events in portable environments.
• On-chip voltage conversion circuitry utilizing small, low-value external capacitors to generate required internal voltages without external transformers.
• TTL/CMOS compatible logic levels for both input and output stages, facilitating direct interface with standard digital logic families.

Applications

• Portable computing devices such as notebooks and laptops requiring low-power serial communication interfaces.
• Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and Palmtops where board space and battery life are critical constraints.
• Industrial control systems utilizing mixed 3.3V and 5.0V logic environments for reliable data transmission.
• Battery-powered handheld instruments needing robust ESD protection and extended operational voltage ranges.

Procurement Notes

Verify the specific suffix 'IV' confirms the TSSOP-16 package and industrial temperature range (-40°C to +85°C). Confirm the '-T' suffix indicates reel packaging rather than cut tape or tube formats. Ensure the ordering part number matches the exact pinout and electrical characteristics defined in the official Renesas datasheet for the ICL3221E series. Cross-reference manufacturer lot codes to verify authenticity and traceability.

Selection Notes

Select this component when a single-channel RS-232 interface is required with minimal external component count. It serves as a direct drop-in replacement for legacy MAX221E devices while offering lower power consumption. Choose this variant over non-E versions if industrial temperature ratings and enhanced ESD protection are mandatory. Verify system voltage compatibility, as the device operates efficiently down to 3.0V but requires appropriate decoupling capacitors for stable charge pump operation.

Part Context

This device belongs to the ICL32xxE family of low-power RS-232 transceivers originally developed by Intersil and now manufactured by Renesas Electronics. The series is engineered to replace older 5V-only RS-232 chips with modern CMOS technology suitable for 3.3V systems. The ICL3221E specifically provides one driver and one receiver, making it the simplest configuration in the family for basic serial port implementations.

Replacement Considerations

Publicly confirmed drop-in replacements include the MAX221E (with power savings), MAX3221E, and SP3221E. These components share identical pinouts and functional specifications. Verify that substitute parts maintain the same automatic power-down feature and ESD protection ratings to ensure equivalent performance in sensitive applications.