The 250 kbps data rate covers standard serial-port throughput for equipment like POS terminals, industrial HMIs, and telecom line cards. Receiver hysteresis of 300 mV provides noise rejection on longer cable runs.
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250 kbps data rate — real-world fit
At 250 kbps the MAX3232CDB handles the classic RS-232 sweet spot: 115.2 kbps and 230.4 kbps with margin, plus legacy 9600 baud. It will not stretch to 460.8 kbps or 1 Mbps — if your application needs those rates, this part is not the fit. The full-duplex capability means simultaneous transmit and receive on separate pairs, which matters for modems and multi-drop polled protocols.
Supply voltage and 3.3V compatibility
The 3V to 5.5V supply range directly answers the common question: yes, the MAX3232CDB works on a 3.3V rail. At 3.3V the charge-pump still generates the ±5V RS-232 output swing required by the standard. On a 5V rail the swing increases, improving noise margin on longer cables.
Package and footprint — 16-SSOP
Housed in a 16-SSOP (0.209", 5.30mm width) package, surface-mount only. The body width is the narrower SSOP variant, not the wider SOIC — verify your land pattern against the 5.30 mm dimension before committing a board spin.