SP336E
3.3V - 5V PROGRAMMABLE RS-232/RS-485/RS-422 SERIAL TRANSCEIVER
MARCH 2010
REV. 1.0.0
FEATURES
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
• 3.3V or 5V Single Supply Operation
The SP336E is a monolithic serial multi-transceiver
device that contains both RS-232 and RS-485/RS-
422 line drivers and receivers. The configuration of
the SP336E can be reconfigured into eight operating
modes including RS-232 only (4TX/4RX), RS-485/
RS-422 only (2TX/2RX) full or half duplex, two RS-
232/RS-485 mixed modes. two shutdown modes and
a diagnostic loop-back mode. Modes may be
selected at any time by changing the logic state of the
three MODE pins. The device can implement a dual-
mode serial port, mixed mode ports or as an interface
signal translator. The Exar charge pumps deliver true
RS-232 driver output voltages from a single power
supply at either 3.3V or 5V. The SP336E requires
only four 0.1μF capacitors for charge pump. A slew
rate control pin configures driver outputs for either
high data rate or slew-controlled data rates. Slew-
controlled outputs minimize problems with reflections
and ringing on long or un-terminated cables. All RS-
485 receivers or transceivers feature high impedance
which allow up to 256 transceivers on a shared bus.
When configured in RS-485/RS-422 mode, each
driver may be individually enabled or put into tri-state,
simplifying use on shared buses or bidirectional
communication. All receivers have advanced failsafe
protection to prevent oscillation when inputs are un-
connected. In RS-232 mode each receiver input has
a 5k ohm pull-down to ground. Differential Receivers
will default to output logic 1 if inputs are floating,
shorted or open but terminated. All driver outputs and
receiver inputs are protected against ESD strikes up
to +/-15,000 volts.
• Robust +/-15kV ESD Protection (IEC 61000-4-2 Air
Gap)
• Software Selectable Mode Selection
• Up to 4 Drivers, 4 Receivers RS-232/V.28
• Up to 2 Drivers, 2 Receivers RS-485/RS-422
■ Full or Half Duplex Configurations
■ 1/8th Unit Load, up to 256 receivers on bus
• Mixed RS-232/RS-485 modes
• Pin Programmable Slew Rate for Reduced EMI
• RS-485 Advanced Failsafe on Open, Short or
Terminated Lines
• Diagnostic Loop-Back Function
• 28 Pin SOIC or TSSOP Packaging
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS
• Factory Automation Equipment
• Security Networks
• Industrial/Process Control Networks
• Point-Of-Sales Equipment
• Gaming Machines
• Serial Protocol Translators (ex. RS-232 to RS-485/
RS-422)
• Embedded Industrial PC’s
• Building Environmental Control Systems (ex.
HVAC)
• Cable Repeaters / Port Extenders / Hubs
Exar Corporation 48720 Kato Road, Fremont CA, 94538 • (510) 668-7000 • FAX (510) 668-7017 • www.exar.com