The MAX3044CSE+ from Maxim Integrated is a quad RS-422/RS-485 line driver — four drivers, zero receivers on chip, so it is a pure transmit-side part. It handles 2.5 Mbps data rate on a 5 V ±5% rail (4.75 V to 5.25 V), and comes in a 16-pin SOIC (0.154" body width) for surface-mount assembly.
Supply rail and data rate — the so-what
The 4.75 V to 5.25 V supply means this driver expects a regulated 5 V bus, not a 3.3 V rail. If your board runs 3.3 V logic, you will need a level translator or a separate 5 V supply for the driver side. At 2.5 Mbps, the part can drive a few hundred feet of twisted-pair cable with proper termination — enough for most factory-floor serial links, but not the multi-megabit backplane speeds some newer transceivers offer.
Package and mounting — field-fit check
Housed in a 16-SOIC (0.154" width, 3.90 mm body), surface-mount only. No DIP option, so a socketed field swap means having a SOIC footprint on the board. The tube shipment (not tape-and-reel) is typical for engineering quantities; if you are feeding a pick-and-place line, confirm the reel-pack variant or plan to transfer from tube.
No lead (Pb) finish concern for RoHS-driven BOMs.