MAX232
The MAX232 is an integrated circuit, first created by Maxim Integrated Products, that converts signals from an RS-232 serial port to signals suitable for use in TTL compatible digital logic circuits. The MAX232 is a dual driver/receiver and typically converts the RX, TX, CTS and RTS signals.
The drivers provide RS-232 voltage level outputs (approx. ± 7.5 V) from a single + 5 V supply via on-chip charge pumps and external capacitors. This makes it useful for implementing RS-232 in devices that otherwise do not need any voltages outside the 0 V to + 5 V range, as power supply design does not need to be made more complicated just for driving the RS-232 in this case.
The receivers reduce RS-232 inputs (which may be as high as ± 25 V), to standard 5 V TTL levels. These receivers have a typical threshold of 1.3 V, and a typical hysteresis of 0.5 V.
The later MAX232A is backwards 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.[1]
The newer MAX3232 is also backwards compatible, but operates at a broader voltage range, from 3 to 5.5 V. [2]
Pin to pin compatible: ICL232, ST232, ADM232, HIN232 (much cheaper alternatives).
Voltage levels [edit]
It is helpful to understand what occurs to the voltage levels. When a MAX232 IC receives a TTL level to convert, it changes a TTL logic 0 to between +3 and +15 V, and changes TTL logic 1 to between -3 to -15 V, and vice versa for converting from RS232 to TTL. This can be confusing when you realize that the RS232 data transmission voltages at a certain logic state are opposite from the RS232 control line voltages at the same logic state. To clarify the matter, see the table below. For more information, see RS-232 voltage levels.
| RS232 line type and logic level | RS232 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 |
References [edit]
External links [edit]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: MAX232 |
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The Wikibook Serial Programming/MAX232 Driver Receiver has a page on the topic of: MAX232 Driver Receiver |
