# MAX232

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MAX232 chip in DIP-16 package
The die of a MAX232
MAX232 pinout: Red: power, Blue: outputs, Green: inputs, Yellow: capacitors

The MAX232 is an integrated circuit first created in 1987 by Maxim Integrated Products that converts signals from a TIA-232 (RS-232) serial port to signals suitable for use in TTL-compatible digital logic circuits. The MAX232 is a dual transmitter / dual receiver that typically is used to convert the RX, TX, CTS, RTS signals.

The drivers provide TIA-232 voltage level outputs (about ±7.5 volts) from a single 5-volt supply by on-chip charge pumps and external capacitors. This makes it useful for implementing TIA-232 in devices that otherwise do not need any other voltages.

The receivers reduce TIA-232 inputs, which may be as high as ±25 volts, to standard 5 volt TTL levels. These receivers have a typical threshold of 1.3 volts and a typical hysteresis of 0.5 volts.

The MAX232 replaced an older pair of chips MC1488 and MC1489 that performed similar RS-232 translation. The MC1488 quad transmitter chip required 12 volt and -12 volt power,[1] and MC1489 quad receiver chip required 5 volt power.[2] The main disadvantages of this older solution was the +/- 12 volt power requirement, only supported 5 volt digital logic, and two chips instead of one.

## Versions[edit]

The later MAX232A is backward compatible with the original MAX232 but may operate at higher baud rates and can use smaller external capacitors – 0.1 μF in place of the 1.0 μF capacitors used with the original device.[3] The newer MAX3232 and MAX3232E are also backwards compatible, but operates at a broader voltage range, from 3 to 5.5 V.[4][5]

Pin-to-pin compatible versions from other manufacturers are ICL232, SP232, ST232, ADM232 and HIN232. Texas Instruments makes compatible chips, using MAX232 as the part number.

## Voltage levels[edit]

The MAX232 translates a TTL logic 0 input to between +3 and +15 V, and changes TTL logic 1 input to between −3 and −15 V, and vice versa for converting from TIA-232 to TTL. (Note that TIA-232 uses opposite voltages for data and control lines, see RS-232 voltage levels.)

TIA-232 line type and logic level | TIA-232 voltage | TTL voltage to/from MAX232
--- | --- | ---
Data transmission (Rx/Tx) logic 0 | +3 V to +15 V | 0 V
Data transmission (Rx/Tx) logic 1 | −3 V to −15 V | 5 V
Control signals (RTS/CTS/DTR/DSR) logic 0 | −3 V to −15 V | 5 V
Control signals (RTS/CTS/DTR/DSR) logic 1 | +3 V to +15 V | 0 V

## Applications[edit]

TIA-232 to TTL converters that use MAX232

The MAX232(A) has two receivers that convert from RS-232 to TTL voltage levels, and two drivers that convert from TTL logic to RS-232 voltage levels. As a result, only two out of all RS-232 signals can be converted in each direction. Typically, the first driver/receiver pair of the MAX232 is used for TX and RX signals, and the second one for CTS and RTS signals.

There are not enough drivers/receivers in the MAX232 to also connect the DTR, DSR, and DCD signals. Usually, these signals can be omitted when, for example, communicating with a PC's serial interface, or when special cables render them unnecessary. If the DTE requires these signals, a second MAX232 or some other IC from the MAX232 family can be used.

## Derivatives[edit]

The MAX232 family was subsequently extended by Maxim to versions with four receivers and transmitters (the MAX238) and a version with eight receivers and transmitters (the MAX248), as well as several other combinations of receivers and transmitters. A notable addition is the MAX316x which is able to be electrically reconfigured between differential 5V (RS422,RS485) and single-ended RS232 albeit at reduced voltage.

## References[edit]

1. ^ MC1488 (MC1488, SN55188, SN75188) product webpage; Texas Instruments.
2. ^ MC1489 (MC1489, MC1489A, SN55189, SN55189A, SN75189, SN75189A) product webpage; Texas Instruments.
3. ^ MAX232 (MAX220 to MAX249) product webpage; Maxim.
4. ^ MAX3232 (MAX3222 to MAX3241) product webpage; Maxim.
5. ^ MAX3232E (MAX3222E to MAX3246E) product webpage; Maxim.

## External links[edit]

| Wikimedia Commons has media related to MAX232.

| The Wikibook Serial Programming has a page on the topic of: MAX232 Driver Receiver

- MAX232
- Investigating Fake MAX3232 TTL-to-RS-232 Chips

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