MAX3244EAI

Overview

The MAX3244EAI is a low-power RS-232 transceiver featuring AutoShutdown Plus technology, which reduces supply current to 1µA when the interface is idle. It operates on a single +3.0V to +5.5V supply and includes a dual charge pump requiring only four 0.1µF capacitors. The device provides three drivers and five receivers with full-duplex communication capability. It guarantees a maximum data rate of 250kbps and supports propagation delays as low as 0.15µs. The component is housed in an SSOP-28 package and functions within an industrial temperature range of -40°C to +85°C.

Feature Summary

• AutoShutdown Plus functionality automatically enters low-power shutdown mode upon detecting inactivity for over 30 seconds and wakes upon valid signal transitions.
• Integrated dual charge pump generates required RS-232 voltage levels from a low-voltage single supply using minimal external capacitance.
• Dedicated R2OUTB pin provides an always-active noninverting receiver output to monitor peripheral activity during system shutdown without forward-biasing connected devices.

Applications

• Notebook, subnotebook, and palmtop computers
• Cellular phones and handheld equipment
• Battery-powered peripherals and printers

Procurement Notes

Verify the specific suffix 'EAI' against the manufacturer's official ordering guide to confirm the exact package type (SSOP) and temperature rating (-40°C to +85°C). Ensure that the lead-free designation (+) matches the required environmental compliance standards for the target assembly process.

Selection Notes

Select this component for applications requiring automatic power management without BIOS modifications. It is suitable for systems needing multiple receiver inputs and driver outputs. Verify that the 250kbps data rate meets the system requirements, as higher-speed variants like the MAX3245 offer 1Mbps operation.

Part Context

This part belongs to the MAX3224–MAX3245 family of 3V-powered EIA/TIA-232 interfaces. It shares core features such as AutoShutdown Plus and low supply current with siblings like the MAX3245, differing primarily in guaranteed data rates and specific pin configurations for driver/receiver counts.

Replacement Considerations

The MAX3245EAI serves as a functional substitute offering identical pinouts and features but with a guaranteed 1Mbps data rate instead of 250kbps. Other family members like the MAX3224 or MAX3226 share similar architectures but differ in driver and receiver counts.