RS232 transceiver for mixed-voltage serial ports
The Analog Devices MAX3245ECAI+ is a full-duplex RS232 transceiver packing three drivers and five receivers into a 28-SSOP package. It handles 1 Mbps data rate with 500 mV receiver hysteresis for noise margin on longer cable runs. Supply range of 3V to 5.5V lets it bridge 3.3V UARTs to legacy 5V RS232 ports without a level shifter — one less part on the BOM. Typical applications include point-of-sale terminals, industrial PC serial ports, set-top box debug interfaces, and any equipment where a microcontroller UART needs to talk RS232 at standard baud rates with headroom. The 0°C to 70°C commercial temperature grade fits indoor, climate-controlled environments — not for unheated enclosures or engine bays.
3/5 driver/receiver ratio — what it buys you
Receiver hysteresis of 500 mV filters noise picked up on cables up to a few metres.
Lifecycle and procurement posture
The MAX3245ECAI+ carries an Active lifecycle status from the manufacturer. ROHS3 compliant.
Package and mounting
28-SSOP body (5.30 mm width, 0.209" pitch) is a common footprint shared by many Maxim/Analog Devices RS232 transceivers. Surface-mount only — no through-hole variant exists for this order code. The tube shipping medium is typical for prototype and low-volume builds; production quantities shift to tape-and-reel under a different suffix.