RS422/RS485 driver — four channels, no receivers
The MAX3031EESE+ is a quad RS422/RS485 line driver from Analog Devices (formerly Maxim Integrated). It packs four independent drivers into a 16-SOIC package, each capable of 2 Mbps signaling over balanced differential pairs. The part is a pure driver — zero receivers on chip — so it is the right choice for unidirectional data links or for the transmit side of a half-duplex RS485 node where a separate receiver IC handles the return path. Supply range is 3V to 3.6V, making it a direct fit on a 3.3V rail without an extra regulator.
2 Mbps data rate — cable length and termination
Rated at 2 Mbps, this driver supports the common RS422/RS485 signaling rates for factory-floor networks, building automation, and instrumentation links. At this speed, cable runs up to about 4000 feet are feasible with proper termination (typically 120 Ω at each end). The driver output stage is designed for the differential voltage levels required by the RS422 and RS485 standards, so no external level shifting is needed. For longer cables or noisier environments, reducing the bit rate below 2 Mbps extends the reach.
Housed in a 16-SOIC (0.154", 3.90 mm width) surface-mount package, the MAX3031EESE+ occupies a compact footprint suitable for dense PCBs.