RS-232 interface for 5V serial links
The MAX202CSE+: The receiver hysteresis is specified at 500 mV, providing noise immunity on the serial line.
5V-only supply — plan the rail
The supply range is 4.5V to 5.5V, so this part is strictly a 5V device. It will not run from a 3.3V rail. If your system uses 3.3V logic, you need level translation on the UART lines or a different transceiver. The 120 kbps data rate is adequate for legacy RS-232 links at 9600 baud or 115200 baud, but not for higher-speed protocols.
For production BOMs that need a 5V RS-232 transceiver in a 16-SOIC footprint, this part is a stable choice without obsolescence risk.
Commercial temperature range — indoor use
It is not rated for industrial or automotive environments where extended temperature or AEC-Q100 qualification is required.
