RS-485/RS-422 bus transceiver for industrial fieldbuses
The MAX3442EAPA+ is a half-duplex transceiver supporting both RS-485 and RS-422 protocols, designed for differential data transmission on multi-drop bus networks up to 250 kbps. A single driver and single receiver pair (1/1 configuration) handles bidirectional communication on a shared twisted-pair cable, with the half-duplex topology requiring software or hardware direction control.
25 mV of receiver hysteresis filters out noise coupled onto long cable runs, preventing false edge triggers on the RX output when the differential bus voltage hovers near the threshold.
Through-hole PDIP package for bench and low-volume builds
Supplied in an 8-lead PDIP (0.300" width, 7.62 mm body) — the through-hole format allows hand-soldering, socketed prototyping, and rework without hot-air tools.
Active lifecycle and compliance status
Marked as Active in production — suitable for both new design-ins and ongoing production builds without end-of-life risk.