Datasheet
ICL3238E
±15kV ESD Protected, +3V to +5.5V, 10nA, 250kbps, RS-232 Transceiver with
Enhanced Automatic Powerdown
The ICL3238E contains 3.0V to 5.5V powered
RS-232 transmitters/receivers that meet ElA/TIA-232
Features
• Pb-free (RoHS compliant)
and V.28/V.24 specifications, even at V = 3.0V. It
CC
• ESD protection for RS-232 I/O pins to ±15kV
(IEC61000)
provides ±15kV ESD protection (IEC61000-4-2 Air
Gap and Human Body Model) on transmitter outputs
and receiver inputs (RS-232 pins). Targeted
applications are cell phones, Palmtops, and data
cables in which the low operational power
consumption and even lower standby power
consumption is critical. Efficient on-chip charge
pumps coupled with manual and enhanced automatic
powerdown functions reduce the standby supply
current to a 10nA trickle. Small footprint packaging
and the use of small, low value capacitors ensure
board space savings. Data rates greater than
250kbps are ensured at worst-case load conditions
and provide compatibility with popular PC
• Active feedback resistors on T and logic inputs
X
• Manual and enhanced automatic powerdown
features
• Pin compatible replacement for MAX3238E,
MAX3238, and SP3238E
• Meets EIA/TIA-232 and V.28/V.24 specifications
at 3V
• RS-232 compatible outputs at 2.7V supply
• Flow through pinout
• Latch-up free
communication software.
• On-chip voltage converters require only four
external capacitors
The ICL3238E is a five driver, three receiver device
optimized for DCE applications with full hardware
handshaking. It includes a noninverting, always-active
receiver for RING INDICATOR monitoring.
• Receiver and transmitter hysteresis for improved
noise immunity
• Guaranteed minimum data rate: 250kbps
• Guaranteed minimum slew rate: 6V/µs
The ICL3238E features an enhanced automatic
powerdown function that powers down the on-chip
power-supply and driver circuits. Automatic
powerdown occurs when all receiver and transmitter
inputs detect no signal transitions for a period of 30s.
The ICL3238E automatically powers back up
whenever it senses a transition on any transmitter or
receiver input.
• Wide power supply range: Single +3V to +5.5V
• Low supply current in powerdown state: 10nA
Applications
• Any system requiring RS-232 communication ports
The transmitter and logic inputs include active
feedback resistors that retain the input state when
driven to a valid logic level.
○ Battery powered, hand-held, and portable
equipment
○ Data cradles
Table 1 summarizes the features of the ICL3238E.
Application Note AN9863 summarizes the features of
each device in the ICL32xxE 3V RS-232 family.
○ Modems, printers, and other peripherals
○ Cellular/mobile phones and data cables
Related Literature
For a full list of related documents, visit our website:
• ICL3238E device page
Table 1.
Summary of Features
Enhanced
Automatic
No. of No. of
No. of Monitor
Data Rate
(kbps)
Rx. Enable
Function?
Ready
Output?
Manual
Powerdown?
Powerdown
Function?
Part Number
Tx.
Rx.
Rx. (ROUTB
)
ICL3238E
5
3
1
250
No
No
Yes
Yes
FN6012 Rev.4.00
Apr.26.19
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