RS-232 line driver for industrial serial links
The MAX1488EESD+ is a quad RS-232 line driver from Analog Devices, designed to convert TTL/CMOS logic levels to RS-232 voltage levels for serial communication in industrial and commercial equipment. With four drivers and no receivers (4/0 configuration), this IC handles the transmit side of an RS-232 link, driving up to 120Kbps data rate across the supply range of 4.5V to 13.2V.
What the 4/0 driver count means for your serial port
The 4/0 designation means four RS-232 drivers and zero onboard receivers — this part is strictly a transmit-side buffer. If your design needs both transmit and receive, pair it with a companion quad receiver like the MAX1489 or use a transceiver that integrates both. Each driver output swings to the RS-232 voltage levels (±5V to ±15V typical) from a single supply, eliminating the need for a separate ±12V rail. The 120Kbps data rate covers standard UART speeds up to 115.2Kbps with margin for cable capacitance.
14-SOIC package and board integration
Housed in a 14-lead SOIC package (3.90mm body width, 0.154" pitch), the MAX1488EESD+ uses the standard narrow SOIC footprint common to many RS-232 interface ICs. Surface-mount assembly with a 1.27mm lead pitch — no special reflow profile needed beyond standard lead-free solder. The tube packaging is typical for production quantities; for reeled tape-and-reel, check the alternate ordering suffix. The 14-SOIC supplier device package matches the industry-standard footprint for drop-in replacement.