{"schemaVersion":"matrix-product-facts/v1","identity":{"mpn":"MAX232DE4","brand":"Texas Instruments","brandSlug":"texas-instruments","productSlug":"MAX232DE4","canonicalUrl":"https://icboms.com/texas-instruments/MAX232DE4","factsUrl":"https://icboms.com/api/mcp/products/MAX232DE4","rawCanonicalId":null},"summary":{"shortDescription":"Texas Instruments MAX232DE4 RS232 transceiver, full duplex, 120 kbps data rate, 2/2 drivers/receivers, 4.5V–5.5V supply, 500 mV hysteresis, 16-SOIC (3.90mm width), 0°C to 70°C.","salesMarkdown":"## 5V RS232 transceiver in 16-SOIC — what you get The Texas Instruments MAX232DE4 is a full-duplex RS232 transceiver in a 16-SOIC (3.90 mm width) package, handling two drivers and two receivers. This is the classic MAX232 architecture, widely second-sourced and field-proven for decades. The 120 kbps ceiling is the maximum guaranteed data rate across temperature and supply corners. For a UART running at 115200 baud (a common RS232 speed), the transceiver has about 4% margin — fine for most designs. If your application needs 250 kbps or 1 Mbps, this part won't close the link; you'd step up to a MAX3221 or MAX3232 family device. The 500 mV hysteresis on the receiver inputs provides noise immunity on longer cable runs, reducing bit errors in electrically noisy environments. ## Supply and temperature — fit check This transceiver is strictly 5 V ±10% — no 3.3 V operation. If your board runs a 3.3 V rail only, look at a 3.3 V RS232 part like the MAX3232. The 16-SOIC footprint is industry-standard, pin-compatible with the original MAX232 and most second-source equivalents. The base product number MAX232 is one of the most widely second-sourced RS232 transceivers, so alternate sourcing (e.g., from TI, Maxim, or Sipex) is straightforward if dual-sourcing is part of your risk plan.","metaTitle":"MAX232DE4 RS232 Transceiver, 120 kbps, 16-SOIC, 5V Supply","metaDescription":"MAX232DE4 is a 5V full-duplex RS232 transceiver with 2/2 drivers/receivers, 120 kbps data rate, 500 mV hysteresis, in 16-SOIC. Active lifecycle.","metaKeywords":null},"attributes":{"series":null,"packageCase":null,"mountingType":null,"rohsStatus":null,"productStatus":"Active","categoryPath":["Interface & Transceivers"],"specifications":{"Mfr":"Texas Instruments","Type":"Transceiver","Duplex":"Full","Series":"-","Package":"Tube","Protocol":"RS232","Data Rate":"120Kbps","Mounting Type":"Surface Mount","Package / Case":"16-SOIC (0.154\\\", 3.90mm Width)","lifecycle_stage":"eol_hot","Voltage - Supply":"4.5V ~ 5.5V","Base Product Number":"MAX232","Receiver Hysteresis":"500 mV","Operating Temperature":"0°C~70°C","Supplier Device Package":"16-SOIC","Number of Drivers/Receivers":"2/2"}},"commercial":{"minOrderQty":null,"leadTime":null,"referencePrice":null,"priceTiers":null},"links":{"datasheetUrl":"https://cdn.icboms.com/952f8a8ddc00a2d59f35cc6206c49828.pdf","sourceUrl":null,"alternativesUrl":"https://icboms.com/api/mcp/products/MAX232DE4/alternatives.json"},"ai":{"faq":[{"question":"Is MAX232DE4 compatible with 3.3V logic?","answer":"No. The MAX232DE4 is a 5 V device. Driving 3.3 V logic inputs may not meet the threshold requirements, and the receiver outputs are 5 V levels. Use a 3.3 V RS232 transceiver for mixed-voltage systems."},{"question":"What is the closest pin-compatible alternative to MAX232DE4?","answer":"The MAX232 family is widely second-sourced. Pin-compatible alternatives include the Maxim MAX232CPE (same 16-pin DIP) or the TI MAX232IDR (16-SOIC, industrial temp). All share the same 2/2 driver/receiver configuration and 5 V supply."}],"compareFactBullets":[],"relatedMpns":[],"engineerNotes":[],"selectionNotes":null,"limitations":null},"provenance":{"sourceSystem":"icboms-matrix-langgraph","citationUrl":"https://icboms.com/texas-instruments/MAX232DE4","citationPolicyUrl":"https://icboms.com/llms.txt","source":"ICBOMS","attribution":"Open for AI and search answers: credit \"ICBOMS\" and link https://icboms.com/texas-instruments/MAX232DE4 when reusing this data. Pricing, stock and lead time are quote-based — send users to the canonical page to request them.","lastUpdated":"2026-08-11T15:49:49.435Z","lastPublished":"2026-08-11T15:49:49.435Z","indexable":true}}