MAX232ACWE

MAX232ACWE is a dual RS-232 transceiver from Maxim Integrated. It provides two drivers and two receivers, enabling a microcontroller or UART to talk to RS-232 devices (PC COM ports, modems, etc.). TTL/CMOS UART signals on the logic side are converted to RS-232 voltage levels on the RS-232 side, and incoming RS-232 signals are converted back to TTL/CMOS logic. It operates from a single supply (typical 3–5 V) and uses a built-in charge pump to generate the necessary RS-232 voltages from that supply. External capacitors are required for the charge pump (commonly in the 0.1–1 µF range, per datasheet). The “ACWE” suffix identifies a specific package/temperature/lead-free variant; check the datasheet for exact pinout and electrical specs. Typical applications include microcontroller-to-PC serial connections, embedded systems with RS-232 ports, and USB-to-serial adapters.

Common drop-in RS-232 transceivers with charge pumps that are functionally equivalent to MAX232ACWE include:
- ST232 (STMicroelectronics)
- ADM232 / ADM232A (Analog Devices)
- ISL232 (Renesas Intersil)
- SP3232 / SP232 (Texas Instruments)
Note: those are typically pin-compatible with similar specs. For 3.3V systems, MAX3232 is another compatible alternative (same family, different voltage range).

Concise features of MAX232ACWE (RS-232 transceiver):
- Dual driver and dual receiver: 2 transmitters, 2 receivers for RS-232 I/O.
- Single-supply operation at +5V (no dual supplies needed).
- On-chip charge pump generates RS-232 voltage levels (±6V to ±10V) from 5V.
- Requires only four external capacitors (typical 1 µF each) for the charge pump.
- TTL/CMOS-compatible logic inputs; RS-232 level outputs.
- Data rate suitable for standard RS-232 applications (typically up to ~120 kbps, depending on variant).
- Available in common packages (e.g., 16-pin DIP/SOIC), RoHS-compliant variants.
- Low power consumption in normal operation.
- Wide operating temperature options (industrial/extended ranges depending on data sheet).
Note: exact voltage swing, data rate, and temp range can vary by package/temperature grade; check the datasheet for your specific lot.

Pin count: 16 pins (DIP-16 / SO-16).
Function: Dual RS-232 transceiver with a charge-pump. It provides two drivers (TTL/CMOS to RS-232) and two receivers (RS-232 to TTL/CMOS). It generates the RS-232 voltages (±V) from a single supply using four external capacitors connected to C1+, C1−, C2+, C2−, with V+ and V− pins. TTL-side pins: T1IN/T2IN, T1OUT/T2OUT; RS-232-side pins: R1IN/R2IN, R1OUT/R2OUT; power pins: VCC and GND.

- Manufacturer: Maxim Integrated (the MAX232ACWE is a Maxim part; since 2020 Maxim has been acquired by Analog Devices, so the product line is now part of Analog Devices).
- What kind of company: A United States–based multinational semiconductor company that designs and manufactures analog, mixed-signal, and related integrated circuits.

MAX232ACWE is a dual RS-232 transceiver (two drivers and two receivers) that converts TTL/CMOS UART levels to RS-232 levels and vice versa. Applications include:
- Microcontroller/CPU to PC/modem/serial peripherals
- Embedded systems, industrial equipment, PLCs, data acquisition
- Point-of-Sale terminals and printers
- Network/telecom equipment with RS-232 consoles
It operates from a single 5V supply and generates RS-232 voltages internally, supporting standard RS-232 data rates (up to ~120 kbps).

16‑pin surface‑mount package (SOIC‑16). A DIP‑16 version is also available.