MAX3218EAP+

Overview

The MAX3218EAP+ is a dual-driver, dual-receiver RS-232 transceiver designed for battery-powered EIA/TIA-232E and V.28/V.24 interfaces. It operates from a single supply voltage ranging from 1.8V to 4.25V, enabling direct connection to alkaline, NiCd, or NiMH cells without external regulators. The device features an AutoShutdown function that reduces supply current to 1µA when no valid signal is detected on the receiver inputs. It guarantees a data rate of 120kbps and maintains true RS-232 and EIA/TIA-562 voltage levels. The component is housed in a 20-pin SSOP package and supports an operating temperature range of -40°C to +85°C.

Feature Summary

• AutoShutdown technology minimizes power consumption by disabling the onboard power supply and drivers when invalid signal levels are detected on receiver inputs.
• Integrated switch-mode DC-DC converter generates internal ±6.5V rails from a low-voltage single supply using minimal external components.
• Three-state receiver outputs allow multiple receivers with different interface standards to be wire-ORed on the same bus.
• Logic-controlled FORCEON and FORCEOFF pins enable manual override of the automatic shutdown state.

Applications

• Battery-powered subnotebook computers
• Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)
• Hand-held equipment and peripherals
• Cellular phones

Procurement Notes

Verify the specific suffix 'EAP+' corresponds to the extended industrial temperature range (-40°C to +85°C) and SSOP package. Confirm RoHS compliance status as indicated by the '+' designation. Ensure the ordering information matches the required pin configuration and thermal specifications for the target application environment.

Selection Notes

Select this component for applications requiring low-power RS-232 communication directly from two-cell battery packs. The wide input voltage range accommodates varying battery states without regulation. Consider the external inductor and diode requirements for the charge pump circuitry when designing the PCB layout.

Part Context

The MAX3218 series includes variants such as the MAX3218CPP+ (plastic DIP, commercial temp) and MAX3218CAP+ (SSOP, commercial temp). The MAX3218EAP+ specifically denotes the SSOP package variant with an extended temperature range suitable for industrial environments.

Replacement Considerations

Public confirmed substitute part numbers: MAX3218CAP+, MAX3218CPP+