MAX481CSA+T

Overview

The MAX481CSA+T is a low-power, half-duplex RS-485 and RS-422 transceiver manufactured by Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated. It integrates one driver and one receiver within an 8-pin SOIC package. The device supports data transmission rates up to 2.5Mbps with no slew-rate limitation. It operates from a single 5V supply (4.75V to 5.25V) and draws 300µA of quiescent current in active mode. A low-current shutdown mode reduces consumption to 0.1µA when both RE is high and DE is low. The component features thermal shutdown protection and fail-safe receiver inputs.

Feature Summary

• Half-duplex operation with integrated driver and receiver for bidirectional communication
• Low-power shutdown mode reducing supply current to 0.1µA
• Thermal shutdown circuitry protects against excessive power dissipation
• Fail-safe receiver input guarantees logic-high output during open-circuit conditions

Applications

• Low-Power RS-485 Transceivers
• Low-Power RS-422 Transceivers
• Industrial-Control Local Area Networks

Procurement Notes

Verify the specific suffix CSA+T corresponds to the SOIC-8 package and commercial temperature range (0°C to +70°C). Confirm RoHS compliance status through official manufacturer documentation or authorized distributors. Ensure the ordering information matches the required pin configuration and electrical specifications for the target application design.

Selection Notes

Select this component for applications requiring half-duplex communication at speeds up to 2.5Mbps on a 5V system. It is suitable where low standby power is critical due to the available shutdown mode. Compare against MAX483 if reduced EMI via slew-rate limiting is required instead of maximum speed. Verify bus load requirements as this part uses standard unit-load impedance.

Part Context

The MAX481 belongs to the MAX481/MAX483/MAX485/MAX487–MAX491/MAX1487 family of low-power transceivers designed for RS-485 and RS-422 communication. This series provides various options for duplex modes, data rates, and bus loading capabilities. The MAX481 specifically offers high-speed transmission without slew-rate limiting while maintaining low power consumption characteristics typical of the family.

Replacement Considerations

MAX485CSA+T: Similar half-duplex RS-485/RS-422 transceiver with identical 2.5Mbps speed and 5V operation, but lacks the low-power shutdown feature found in the MAX481.