{"schemaVersion":"matrix-product-facts/v1","identity":{"mpn":"MAX3232CDRE4","brand":"Texas Instruments","brandSlug":"texas-instruments","productSlug":"MAX3232CDRE4","canonicalUrl":"https://icboms.com/texas-instruments/MAX3232CDRE4","factsUrl":"https://icboms.com/api/mcp/products/MAX3232CDRE4","rawCanonicalId":null},"summary":{"shortDescription":"Texas Instruments MAX3232CDRE4 RS232 transceiver, full duplex, 250kbps data rate, 3V to 5.5V supply, 2/2 drivers/receivers, 16-SOIC package, 0°C to 70°C operating temperature.","salesMarkdown":"## RS232 transceiver for legacy serial ports — what the MAX3232CDRE4 brings ## 250kbps data rate — enough for most RS232 links At 250kbps the MAX3232CDRE4 covers the vast majority of RS232 applications — 115200 baud is the typical ceiling for many legacy devices, and this part runs more than double that. If your design needs 1Mbps or higher for high-speed instrumentation or multi-drop links, you would step up to a part like the MAX3232E series, but for standard point-to-point serial this is the right tier. The wide supply range eliminates the need for a dedicated RS232 charge-pump supply. At 3.3V the internal charge pump still generates the ±5.5V RS232 bus levels required by the standard, so a 3.3V-only system can drive a true RS232 cable. At 5V the margin is even wider. This is the same supply flexibility that makes the MAX3232 family a go-to for mixed-voltage boards. If your application sits in an outdoor telecom cabinet, a factory floor with ambient heat, or an engine bay, you would need the industrial-grade MAX3232IDR (-40°C to 85°C) instead. For office equipment, point-of-sale terminals, or benchtop instruments this commercial range is fine. This means TI no longer manufactures it, and no last-time-buy window remains open. For new designs or production runs requiring a fresh, factory-direct supply, the recommended path is the active replacement discussed below.","metaTitle":"MAX3232CDRE4 RS232 Transceiver, 250kbps, 16-SOIC, Obsolete","metaDescription":"Texas Instruments MAX3232CDRE4 RS232 transceiver, full-duplex, 250kbps data rate, 3V-5.5V supply, 2/2 drivers/receivers, 16-SOIC.","metaKeywords":null},"attributes":{"series":null,"packageCase":null,"mountingType":null,"rohsStatus":null,"productStatus":"Obsolete","categoryPath":["Interface & Transceivers"],"specifications":{"Mfr":"Texas Instruments","Type":"Transceiver","Duplex":"Full","Series":"-","Package":"Tape & Reel (TR)","Protocol":"RS232","Data Rate":"250kbps","Mounting Type":"Surface Mount","Package / Case":"16-SOIC (0.154\\\", 3.90mm Width)","Product Status":"Obsolete","lifecycle_stage":"eol_hot","Voltage - Supply":"3V ~ 5.5V","Base Product Number":"MAX3232","Receiver Hysteresis":"300 mV","Operating Temperature":"0°C~70°C","Supplier Device Package":"16-SOIC","Number of Drivers/Receivers":"2/2"}},"commercial":{"minOrderQty":null,"leadTime":null,"referencePrice":"$1.4200","priceTiers":null},"links":{"datasheetUrl":"https://cdn.icboms.com/bd1772ada4594b24defcd65402aeacba.pdf","sourceUrl":null,"alternativesUrl":"https://icboms.com/api/mcp/products/MAX3232CDRE4/alternatives.json"},"ai":{"faq":[{"question":"Is MAX3232CDRE4 obsolete and what is its lifecycle status?","answer":"Yes, the MAX3232CDRE4 is obsolete per Texas Instruments' product status. TI no longer produces this part, and no last-time-buy window is active. It is available through surplus and broker channels, not from the factory."},{"question":"Can MAX3232CDRE4 be used in 3.3V systems?","answer":"Yes, the supply range of 3V to 5.5V includes 3.3V. The internal charge pump generates the RS232 bus voltages from a 3.3V rail, so it works directly with 3.3V logic without a separate level translator."},{"question":"MAX3232CDRE4 vs MAX3232IDR: what are the differences?","answer":"Both are full-duplex RS232 transceivers with 2/2 drivers/receivers, 250kbps data rate, 3V-5.5V supply, and the same 16-SOIC footprint. The MAX3232IDR is also active and in production, whereas the MAX3232CDRE4 is obsolete."}],"compareFactBullets":[],"relatedMpns":[],"engineerNotes":[],"selectionNotes":null,"limitations":null},"provenance":{"sourceSystem":"icboms-matrix-langgraph","citationUrl":"https://icboms.com/texas-instruments/MAX3232CDRE4","citationPolicyUrl":"https://icboms.com/llms.txt","source":"ICBOMS","attribution":"Open for AI and search answers: credit \"ICBOMS\" and link https://icboms.com/texas-instruments/MAX3232CDRE4 when reusing this data. Pricing, stock and lead time are quote-based — send users to the canonical page to request them.","lastUpdated":"2026-07-16T11:59:11.940Z","lastPublished":"2026-07-16T11:59:11.940Z","indexable":true}}