ICL3238ECA

Overview

The Intersil ICL3238ECA is a low-power RS-232 transceiver designed for operation with supply voltages ranging from +3.0V to +5.5V. It integrates five drivers and three receivers, supporting full-duplex communication at data rates up to 250kbps. The device features an automatic powerdown mode that reduces standby current to approximately 1µA when no valid RS-232 signal is detected on the receiver inputs. It includes on-chip charge pumps requiring only small external capacitors and provides ±15kV ESD protection on both RS-232 I/O pins and logic pins.

Feature Summary

• Integrates five drivers and three receivers for comprehensive RS-232 connectivity
• Features automatic powerdown circuitry to minimize standby power consumption
• Provides ±15kV ESD protection on RS-232 and logic pins

Applications

• ISDN Terminal Adaptors
• Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and Palmtops
• Notebook and laptop computers
• Portable peripherals

Procurement Notes

Verify the specific suffix against official Renesas or Intersil documentation to confirm temperature range and packaging variations. Ensure compatibility with existing board layouts regarding capacitor values and pin configurations before procurement.

Selection Notes

Select this component for applications requiring low voltage operation down to 3V while maintaining standard RS-232 signaling. Consider the SSOP-28 package constraints and verify that the 250kbps speed meets system requirements compared to higher-speed alternatives.

Part Context

This part belongs to the ICL32X7E family of low-power RS-232 transceivers. It serves as a lower-power alternative to older generations like the MAX207E, offering improved efficiency through automatic powerdown while maintaining compliance with EIA/TIA-232 specifications.

Replacement Considerations

Publicly confirmed substitutes include the MAX3238ECAI+T from Analog Devices/Maxim Integrated and the SP3238EEA from Sipex. Verify pinout and electrical parameter compatibility before substitution.