MAX3221 RS-232 Line Driver and Receiver

Texas Instruments Signal_Chain — specifications, applications, sourcing support and RFQ.

MAX3221 RS-232 Line Driver and Receiver

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Part Number
MAX3221
Manufacturer
Texas Instruments
Package
16-pin SSOP (DB), 6.20 mm x 5.30 mm; 16-pin TSSOP (PW), 5.00 mm x 4.40 mm
Category
Signal Chain
Product Type
Operational Amplifier

Quick Sourcing Note

MAX3221 from Texas Instruments is a Signal_Chain RS-232 line driver and receiver with one integrated driver and one integrated receiver with an enable pin. It operates from a 3 to 5.5 V VCC range and supports data signaling rates up to 250 kbps. The device is offered in 16-pin SSOP (DB) and 16-pin TSSOP (PW) packages. Key parameters include 30 V/us maximum driver output slew rate, +/-15 kV RS-232 bus-pin HBM ESD protection, 1 uA typical standby current in automatic power-down mode, and external charge-pump capacitor requirements. It supports 5-V logic inputs while operating from a 3.3-V supply.

Specifications

TypeDescription
Part NumberMAX3221
ManufacturerTexas Instruments
Product TypeOperational Amplifier
CategorySignal Chain
Package / Case16-pin SSOP (DB), 6.20 mm x 5.30 mm; 16-pin TSSOP (PW), 5.00 mm x 4.40 mm
Supply Voltage Range3 to 5.5 V; Operating supply voltage VCC
Data Signaling Rateup to 250 kbps; Driver/receiver operation
Driver Output Slew Rate30 V/us max; Driver output
RS-232 Bus-Pin ESD Protection+/-15 kV; Human body model, bus pins
Standby Current1 uA typ; Automatic power-down mode, no valid RS-232 signal sensed
External Capacitors4 x 0.1 uF; Required external charge-pump capacitors, feature summary
Logic Input CompatibilityAccepts 5-V logic input with 3.3-V supply; DIN/FORCEOFF/FORCEON/EN inputs
Driver Count1; Integrated RS-232 line driver
Receiver Count1; Integrated RS-232 line receiver with enable pin
Absolute Maximum VCC to GND-0.3 to 6 V; Over operating free-air temperature range
Absolute Maximum V+ to GND-0.3 to 7 V; Over operating free-air temperature range
Absolute Maximum V- to GND0.3 to -7 V; Over operating free-air temperature range
Absolute Maximum V+ plus |V-|13 V max; V+ and V- absolute difference limit
Absolute Maximum Logic Input Voltage-0.3 to 6 V; DIN, EN, FORCEOFF, FORCEON to GND
Absolute Maximum Receiver Input Voltage+/-25 V; RIN to GND
Absolute Maximum Driver Output Voltage+/-13.2 V; DOUT to GND
Absolute Maximum ROUT Output Voltage-0.3 to VCC + 0.3 V; ROUT to GND
Junction Temperature150 degC max; Absolute maximum rating
Storage Temperature Range-65 to 150 degC; Absolute maximum rating
HBM ESD Rating, Non-Bus Pins+/-3000 V; All pins except 8 and 13, ANSI/ESDA/JEDEC JS-001
HBM ESD Rating, Bus Pins+/-15000 V; Pins 8 and 13, ANSI/ESDA/JEDEC JS-001
CDM ESD Rating+/-1500 V; Per JEDEC JESD22-C101
Recommended VCC at 3.3-V Operation3 min, 3.3 nom, 3.6 max V; VCC = 3.3 V operating condition
Recommended VCC at 5-V Operation4.5 min, 5 nom, 5.5 max V; VCC = 5 V operating condition
Driver High-Level Input Voltage2 V min; DIN, FORCEOFF, FORCEON, EN; VCC = 3.3 V
Driver High-Level Input Voltage2.4 V min; DIN, FORCEOFF, FORCEON, EN; VCC = 5 V
Driver Low-Level Input Voltage0.8 V max; DIN, FORCEOFF, FORCEON, EN
Driver Input Voltage Range0 to 5.5 V; DIN, FORCEOFF, FORCEON, EN
Receiver Input Voltage Range-25 to 25 V; Recommended operating condition
Operating Free-Air Temperature, C Grade0 to 70 degC; MAX3221C
Operating Free-Air Temperature, I Grade-40 to 85 degC; MAX3221I
Charge-Pump Capacitors at 3.3 VC1-C4 = 0.1 uF; VCC = 3.3 V +/-0.3 V test condition
Charge-Pump Capacitors at 5 VC1 = 0.047 uF, C2-C4 = 0.33 uF; VCC = 5 V +/-0.5 V test condition
Junction-to-Ambient Thermal Resistance105.8 degC/W; DB SSOP, 16 pins
Junction-to-Ambient Thermal Resistance110.9 degC/W; PW TSSOP, 16 pins
Input Leakage Current+/-0.01 typ, +/-1 max uA; FORCEOFF, FORCEON, EN
Supply Current, Automatic Power-Down Disabled0.3 typ, 1 max mA; No load, FORCEOFF and FORCEON at VCC
Supply Current, Powered Off1 typ, 10 max uA; No load, FORCEOFF at GND, VCC = 3.3 V to 5 V
Supply Current, Automatic Power-Down Enabled1 typ, 10 max uA; No load, FORCEOFF at VCC, FORCEON at GND, all RIN open or grounded
Driver High-Level Output Voltage5 min, 5.4 typ V; DOUT with RL = 3 kohm to GND, DIN = GND
Driver Low-Level Output Voltage-5 max, -5.4 typ V; DOUT with RL = 3 kohm to GND, DIN = VCC
Driver High-Level Input Current+/-0.01 typ, +/-1 max uA; VI = VCC
Driver Low-Level Input Current+/-0.01 typ, +/-1 max uA; VI at GND
Driver Short-Circuit Output Current+/-35 typ, +/-60 max mA; VCC = 3.6 V, VO = 0 V
Driver Short-Circuit Output Current+/-35 typ, +/-60 max mA; VCC = 5.5 V, VO = 0 V
Driver Output Resistance300 min, 10M max ohm; VCC, V+, and V- = 0 V; VO = +/-2 V
Driver Output Leakage Current+/-25 uA max; FORCEOFF = GND, VO = +/-12 V, VCC = 3 V to 3.6 V
Driver Output Leakage Current+/-25 uA max; FORCEOFF = GND, VO = +/-12 V, VCC = 4.5 V to 5.5 V
Receiver High-Level Output VoltageVCC - 0.6 min, VCC - 0.1 typ V; IOH = -1 mA
Receiver Low-Level Output Voltage0.4 V max; IOL = 1.6 mA
Receiver Positive-Going Input Threshold1.5 typ, 2.4 max V; VCC = 3.3 V
Receiver Positive-Going Input Threshold1.8 typ, 2.4 max V; VCC = 5 V
Receiver Negative-Going Input Threshold0.6 min, 1.1 typ V; VCC = 3.3 V
Receiver Negative-Going Input Threshold0.8 min, 1.4 typ V; VCC = 5 V
Receiver Input Hysteresis0.5 V typ; VIT+ - VIT-
Receiver Output Leakage Current+/-0.05 typ, +/-10 max uA; FORCEOFF = 0 V
Receiver Input Resistance3 min, 5 typ, 7 max kohm; VI = +/-3 V to +/-25 V
INVALID Valid Positive Threshold2.7 V typ; Receiver input threshold for INVALID high-level output, FORCEON = GND, FORCEOFF = VCC
INVALID Valid Negative Threshold-2.7 V typ; Receiver input threshold for INVALID high-level output, FORCEON = GND, FORCEOFF = VCC
INVALID Invalid Threshold-0.3 min, 0.3 max V; Receiver input threshold for INVALID low-level output, FORCEON = GND, FORCEOFF = VCC
INVALID High-Level Output VoltageVCC - 0.6 V min; IOH = -1 mA, FORCEON = GND, FORCEOFF = VCC
INVALID Low-Level Output Voltage0.4 V max; IOH = -1 mA, FORCEON = GND, FORCEOFF = VCC
Datasheet Statusrequest_only

Product Overview

The Texas Instruments MAX3221 is an RS-232 line driver and receiver in the Signal_Chain category. It integrates one RS-232 driver and one RS-232 receiver with an enable pin, supporting driver and receiver operation up to 250 kbps. The operating supply range is 3 to 5.5 V, with recommended 3.3-V and 5-V operating ranges specified separately.

The device includes charge-pump operation using external capacitors. The feature summary lists 4 x 0.1 uF capacitors, while test conditions specify C1-C4 = 0.1 uF at 3.3 V and C1 = 0.047 uF with C2-C4 = 0.33 uF at 5 V. Logic inputs DIN, FORCEOFF, FORCEON, and EN accept 5-V logic input with a 3.3-V supply.

MAX3221 is available in 16-pin SSOP (DB), 6.20 mm x 5.30 mm, and 16-pin TSSOP (PW), 5.00 mm x 4.40 mm. It is specified for MAX3221C over 0 to 70 degC and MAX3221I over -40 to 85 degC free-air operation.

Key Features

  • 3 to 5.5 V operating VCC range
  • Up to 250 kbps data signaling rate
  • One integrated RS-232 line driver
  • One integrated RS-232 receiver with enable pin
  • 30 V/us maximum driver output slew rate
  • +/-15 kV HBM ESD protection on bus pins
  • 1 uA typical standby current in automatic power-down
  • Accepts 5-V logic input with 3.3-V supply
  • 16-pin SSOP and 16-pin TSSOP package options
  • Receiver input range specified from -25 to 25 V

Typical Applications

  • RS-232 line driver interfaces
  • RS-232 receiver interfaces
  • 3.3-V logic to RS-232 conversion
  • 5-V logic to RS-232 conversion
  • Low-standby-current serial ports
  • Single-driver single-receiver serial links
  • Enabled receiver interface designs
  • Charge-pump RS-232 interface circuits

Procurement Notes

When requesting a quote for MAX3221, buyers should confirm the manufacturer, package or case, required quantity, target date code, compliance documents, packing method, destination country and expected delivery schedule.

If alternatives are acceptable, buyers should share the approved vendor list, required electrical or optical limits, package constraints and qualification requirements. Any alternative part should be reviewed by the buyer's engineering team before production use.

For analog and signal-chain sourcing, supply voltage, bandwidth, accuracy, noise level, package, temperature grade, input/output configuration and qualification requirements should be verified before approval.

FAQ

What supply voltage range does the MAX3221 support?

The MAX3221 operates from a 3 to 5.5 V VCC supply range. Recommended operating conditions list 3.0 to 3.6 V for 3.3-V operation and 4.5 to 5.5 V for 5-V operation.

How many RS-232 channels are integrated in the MAX3221?

The device integrates one RS-232 line driver and one RS-232 line receiver. The extracted facts also specify that the receiver includes an enable pin.

What data rate is specified for MAX3221 driver and receiver operation?

The datasheet facts specify a data signaling rate up to 250 kbps for driver and receiver operation. The driver output slew rate is listed as 30 V/us maximum.

Which packages are listed for the Texas Instruments MAX3221?

The MAX3221 package options are a 16-pin SSOP (DB), 6.20 mm x 5.30 mm, and a 16-pin TSSOP (PW), 5.00 mm x 4.40 mm.

What ESD ratings are specified for MAX3221 bus pins?

The RS-232 bus pins are specified for +/-15 kV HBM ESD protection. The detailed HBM entry lists +/-15000 V on pins 8 and 13 per ANSI/ESDA/JEDEC JS-001.

Technical Review & Sourcing Note

Prepared by LDeepAI Component Sourcing Team. Reviewed for RFQ, documentation and alternative sourcing use. Last updated: July 21, 2026.

This page is based on manufacturer datasheet information and LDeepAI sourcing review. Specifications should be verified against the official manufacturer datasheet before final procurement or design approval. Final electrical, optical and reliability approval should be confirmed by the buyer's engineering team.

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