ICL3222CVZ

Overview

The ICL3222CVZ is a dual driver, dual receiver RS-232 transceiver manufactured by Renesas Electronics Corporation. It operates within a supply voltage range of 3.0V to 5.5V and supports data rates up to 250kbps. The device features ±15kV electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection on both the transmitter outputs and receiver inputs. It incorporates an efficient on-chip charge pump requiring only four small external capacitors. The component includes automatic power-down functionality that reduces standby current to approximately 1µA when no valid signal is detected. It is housed in a TSSOP-20 surface-mount package.

Feature Summary

• Automatic power-down mode significantly reduces standby current consumption when the interface is idle or disconnected.
• Integrated charge pump circuitry eliminates the need for external inductors or complex power generation components.
• Robust ±15kV ESD protection ensures reliability against electrostatic discharge events at all RS-232 pins.

Applications

• Portable computing devices such as laptops and notebooks requiring low-power serial communication.
• Personal digital assistants (PDAs) and handheld computers with strict power constraints.
• Industrial control systems utilizing RS-232 interfaces in environments susceptible to electrical noise.

Procurement Notes

Verify the specific suffix 'CVZ' against official Renesas documentation to confirm the exact temperature grade and packaging configuration. Ensure compatibility with target PCB footprint dimensions for the TSSOP-20 package. Confirm RoHS compliance status through the manufacturer's current product change notices. Validate that the selected variant meets the required operating temperature range for the intended application environment.

Selection Notes

Select this component when designing systems requiring full-duplex RS-232 communication with minimal quiescent current. It is suitable for applications where space is limited due to the compact TSSOP-20 package and reduced external capacitor count. Consider this part for mixed-voltage systems operating between 3.3V and 5.0V logic levels. Evaluate the 250kbps data rate limit to ensure it satisfies the throughput requirements of the connected peripheral devices.

Part Context

This device belongs to the ICL32xE series of RS-232 transceivers designed for low-voltage operation. The series shares common architectural features including integrated charge pumps and ESD protection. Variants within the family differ primarily in the number of drivers and receivers, such as single-driver or quad-driver configurations. The CVZ suffix typically denotes specific commercial temperature grading and tape-and-reel packaging options.

Replacement Considerations

ICL3222EIVZ: Similar dual driver/receiver RS-232 transceiver with potentially different industrial temperature rating.

FAQ

What is the maximum data rate supported by the ICL3222CVZ?

The device guarantees data rates greater than 250kbps under worst-case load conditions.

How does the automatic power-down feature function?

The power-down mode activates automatically when no valid RS-232 signal is present on the receiver inputs, reducing standby current to approximately 1µA without hardware changes.

What level of ESD protection is provided?

The ICL3222CVZ provides ±15kV ESD protection on both the transmitter outputs and receiver inputs, compliant with IEC61000-4-2 standards.