Specifications
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Part Number | MAX3232 |
| Manufacturer | Texas Instruments |
| Product Type | Operational Amplifier |
| Category | Signal Chain |
| Package Case | 16-pin SOIC (D) 9.90 mm x 3.91 mm; 16-pin SSOP (DB) 6.20 mm x 5.30 mm; 16-pin SOIC (DW) 10.30 mm x 7.50 mm; 16-pin TSSOP (PW) 5.00 mm x 4.40 mm |
| Line drivers | 2; Device description; source page 1 |
| Line receivers | 2; Device description; source page 1 |
| RS-232 bus-terminal ESD protection | exceeds ±15 kV; Human-body model (HBM); source page 1 |
| Maximum data signaling rate | 250 kbit/s; Device operation; source page 1 |
| Driver output slew rate | 30 V/µs max; Device operation; source page 1 |
| Typical supply current | 300 µA; Feature summary; source page 1 |
| External capacitors | 4 x 0.1 µF; Feature summary; source page 1 |
| Supply voltage range | 3 V to 5.5 V; Feature summary; source page 1 |
| 5-V logic input compatibility | accepted; With 3.3-V supply; source page 1 |
| Absolute maximum supply voltage VCC | -0.3 to 6 V; Operating free-air temperature range; source page 4 |
| Absolute maximum positive output supply voltage V+ | -0.3 to 7 V; All voltages with respect to GND; source page 4 |
| Absolute maximum negative output supply voltage V- | -7 to 0.3 V; All voltages with respect to GND; source page 4 |
| Absolute maximum V+ to V- supply voltage difference | 13 V max; All voltages with respect to GND; source page 4 |
| Driver input voltage range | -0.3 to 6 V; Absolute maximum ratings; source page 4 |
| Receiver input voltage range | -25 to 25 V; Absolute maximum ratings; source page 4 |
| Driver output voltage range | -13.2 to 13.2 V; Absolute maximum ratings; source page 4 |
| Receiver output voltage range | -0.3 to VCC + 0.3 V; Absolute maximum ratings; source page 4 |
| Operating virtual junction temperature | 150 °C max; Absolute maximum ratings; source page 4 |
| Storage temperature range | -65 to 150 °C; Absolute maximum ratings; source page 4 |
| ESD rating on RIN, DOUT, and GND pins | 15000 V; HBM per ANSI/ESDA/JEDEC JS-001; source page 4 |
| ESD rating on all other pins | 3000 V; HBM per ANSI/ESDA/JEDEC JS-001; source page 4 |
| ESD rating all pins | 1000 V; CDM per JEDEC JESD22-C101; source page 4 |
| Recommended VCC supply voltage at 3.3-V operation | 3 min, 3.3 nom, 3.6 max V; Recommended operating conditions; source page 4 |
| Recommended VCC supply voltage at 5-V operation | 4.5 min, 5 nom, 5.5 max V; Recommended operating conditions; source page 4 |
| Driver high-level input voltage DIN | 2 V min; VCC = 3.3 V; source page 4 |
| Driver high-level input voltage DIN | 2.4 V min; VCC = 5 V; source page 4 |
| Driver low-level input voltage DIN | 0.8 V max; Recommended operating conditions; source page 4 |
| Driver input voltage DIN | 0 to 5.5 V; Recommended operating conditions; source page 4 |
| Receiver input voltage RIN | -25 to 25 V; Recommended operating conditions; source page 4 |
| Operating free-air temperature MAX3232C | 0 to 70 °C; Recommended operating conditions; source page 4 |
| Operating free-air temperature MAX3232I | -40 to 85 °C; Recommended operating conditions; source page 4 |
| Test capacitors at 3.3-V supply | C1-C4 = 0.1 µF; VCC = 3.3 V ±0.3 V; source page 4 |
| Test capacitors at 5-V supply | C1 = 0.047 µF, C2-C4 = 0.33 µF; VCC = 5 V ±0.5 V; source page 4 |
| Junction-to-ambient thermal resistance SOIC D | 85.9 °C/W; 16-pin package; source page 5 |
| Junction-to-ambient thermal resistance SSOP DB | 103.1 °C/W; 16-pin package; source page 5 |
| Junction-to-ambient thermal resistance SOIC DW | 66.6 °C/W; 16-pin package; source page 5 |
| Junction-to-ambient thermal resistance TSSOP PW | 108.2 °C/W; 16-pin package; source page 5 |
| Supply current ICC | 0.3 typ, 1 max mA; No load, VCC = 3.3 V to 5 V; source page 5 |
| Driver high-level output voltage VOH | 5 min, 5.4 typ V; DOUT at RL = 3 kΩ to GND, DIN = GND; source page 5 |
| Driver low-level output voltage VOL | -5 max, -5.4 typ V; DOUT at RL = 3 kΩ to GND, DIN = VCC; source page 5 |
| Driver high-level input current IIH | ±0.01 typ, ±1 max µA; VI = VCC; source page 5 |
| Driver low-level input current IIL | ±0.01 typ, ±1 max µA; VI at GND; source page 5 |
| Driver short-circuit output current IOS | ±35 typ, ±60 max mA; VCC = 3.6 V or 5.5 V, VO = 0 V; source page 5 |
| Driver output resistance rO | 300 min, 10M typ Ω; VCC, V+, and V- = 0 V; VO = ±2 V; source page 5 |
| Receiver high-level output voltage VOH | VCC - 0.6 min, VCC - 0.1 typ V; IOH = -1 mA; source page 6 |
| Receiver low-level output voltage VOL | 0.4 max V; IOL = 1.6 mA; source page 6 |
| Receiver positive-going input threshold voltage VIT+ | 1.5 typ, 2.4 max V; VCC = 3.3 V; source page 6 |
| Receiver positive-going input threshold voltage VIT+ | 1.8 typ, 2.4 max V; VCC = 5 V; source page 6 |
| Receiver negative-going input threshold voltage VIT- | 0.6 min, 1.2 typ V; VCC = 3.3 V; source page 6 |
| Receiver negative-going input threshold voltage VIT- | 0.8 min, 1.5 typ V; VCC = 5 V; source page 6 |
| Receiver input hysteresis | 0.3 typ V; VIT+ - VIT-; source page 6 |
| Receiver input resistance rI | 3 min, 5 typ, 7 max kΩ; VI = ±3 V to ±25 V; source page 6 |
| Maximum data rate | 150 min, 250 typ kbit/s; RL = 3 kΩ, CL = 1000 pF, one DOUT switching; source page 6 |
| Driver pulse skew tsk(p) | 300 max ns; RL = 3 kΩ to 7 kΩ, CL = 150 to 2500 pF; source page 6 |
| Driver slew rate SR(tr) | 6 min, 30 max V/µs; Transition region, RL = 3 kΩ to 7 kΩ, CL = 150 to 1000 pF; source page 6 |
| Driver slew rate SR(tr) at 5-V supply | 4 min, 30 max V/µs; Transition region, VCC = 5 V, CL = 150 to 2500 pF; source page 6 |
| Receiver propagation delay low-to-high tPLH | 300 max ns; CL = 150 pF; source page 6 |
| Receiver propagation delay high-to-low tPHL | 300 max ns; CL = 150 pF; source page 6 |
| Receiver pulse skew tsk(p) | 300 max ns; Switching characteristics; source page 6 |
| Datasheet Status | request_only |
Product Overview
The Texas Instruments MAX3232 is an RS-232 line driver receiver in the Signal_Chain category. The device integrates 2 line drivers and 2 line receivers for converting logic-side signals to RS-232 driver outputs and receiving RS-232 input levels back to logic outputs.
It operates across a 3 V to 5.5 V supply range, with recommended 3.3-V operation from 3 V to 3.6 V and 5-V operation from 4.5 V to 5.5 V. With a 3.3-V supply, 5-V logic inputs are accepted. The device uses external capacitors, with a feature summary value of 4 x 0.1 µF; test conditions specify C1-C4 = 0.1 µF at 3.3 V and C1 = 0.047 µF with C2-C4 = 0.33 µF at 5 V.
Key interface limits include receiver input voltage from -25 V to 25 V, driver output voltage range from -13.2 V to 13.2 V, and RS-232 bus-terminal HBM ESD protection exceeding ±15 kV. Package choices include 16-pin SOIC (D and DW), SSOP (DB), and TSSOP (PW), supporting assembly choices based on board area and thermal resistance.
Key Features
- 2 line drivers and 2 line receivers
- 3 V to 5.5 V supply voltage range
- 250 kbit/s maximum data signaling rate
- 30 V/µs maximum driver output slew rate
- 300 µA typical supply current
- Uses 4 x 0.1 µF external capacitors
- Accepts 5-V logic input with 3.3-V supply
- RS-232 bus-terminal HBM ESD exceeds ±15 kV
- Receiver input range from -25 V to 25 V
- MAX3232I operating free-air range -40 to 85 °C
Typical Applications
- RS-232 serial interfaces
- 3.3-V RS-232 ports
- 5-V RS-232 ports
- Logic-to-RS-232 signal conversion
- ESD-protected RS-232 connections
- 250 kbit/s serial links
- Dual-driver dual-receiver ports
Procurement Notes
When requesting a quote for MAX3232, 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 type of interface device is the MAX3232?
The MAX3232 is a Texas Instruments RS-232 line driver receiver in the Signal_Chain category. It includes 2 line drivers and 2 line receivers for RS-232 transmit and receive channels.
What supply voltage range does the MAX3232 support?
The feature summary lists a 3 V to 5.5 V supply range. Recommended operating conditions specify 3 V to 3.6 V for 3.3-V operation and 4.5 V to 5.5 V for 5-V operation.
What data rate and slew rate are specified?
The device operation data lists a maximum data signaling rate of 250 kbit/s and a 30 V/µs maximum driver output slew rate. Switching characteristics also list 150 kbit/s minimum and 250 kbit/s typical data rate.
What package options are listed for the MAX3232?
Listed package options are 16-pin SOIC (D) 9.90 mm x 3.91 mm, 16-pin SSOP (DB) 6.20 mm x 5.30 mm, 16-pin SOIC (DW) 10.30 mm x 7.50 mm, and 16-pin TSSOP (PW) 5.00 mm x 4.40 mm.
Technical Review & Sourcing Note
Prepared by LDeepAI Component Sourcing Team. Reviewed for RFQ, documentation and alternative sourcing use. Last updated: June 30, 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.