MAX241CWI

MAX241CWI is Maxim Integrated’s RS-232 transceiver. It provides the level shifting between a microcontroller’s TTL/CMOS UART and RS-232 voltage levels, enabling direct connection to RS-232 ports.
Key points
- Single‑supply operation (typical 3.0–5.5 V) with an on‑chip or external charge‑pump to generate RS‑232 ± voltages.
- Includes RS‑232 drivers and receivers on one chip (often a dual pair), so you can interface a MCU to a PC/modem serial port.
- Requires external capacitors for the charge pump (per datasheet) and supports standard UART data rates.
- Used in embedded systems, modems, data acquisition, and any microcontroller-to-RS‑232 interface.
Typical packaging/usage
- Available in compact packages (suffix “WI” indicates a specific package variant). Connect VCC, GND, TX/RX lines, and the charge-pump capacitors as specified in the datasheet.
In short: a compact, single‑chip RS‑232 interface solution for microcontroller serial links.

Here are the typical features of the MAX241CWI RS-232 transceiver:
- Dual RS-232 driver/receiver (2 drivers, 2 receivers)
- Single-supply operation (3V–5.5V)
- On-chip charge pump for RS-232 level conversion
- TTL/CMOS-compatible logic-level inputs
- Small 8-pin package (WI)
- Optional shutdown/power-down for saving power
- High-speed operation suitable for standard RS-232 data rates
- Robust protection on RS-232 lines (ESD/over-voltage)
- Industrial temperature range (-40°C to +85°C)

Pin count: 8 pins (8-pin package, e.g., SOIC-8).
Function: Dual RS-232 transceiver (two drivers and two receivers) with TTL/CMOS-compatible IO. It uses an internal charge pump to generate RS-232 voltage levels from a single 5V supply and interfaces to standard TTL/CMOS logic on the TX/RX side.

- Manufacturer: Maxim Integrated Products (now part of Analog Devices, Inc.).
- Company type: An American semiconductor company that designs and sells analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits (a fabless company that outsources manufacturing).

Max241CWI is a high-speed RS-232 transceiver. Typical applications include:
- Serial data interfaces between microcontrollers/embedded systems and PCs/modems
- Computers, printers, network equipment
- Industrial automation and process control (PLC interfaces)
- Data acquisition and test/measurement equipment
- Point-of-sale terminals and cash registers
- Automotive diagnostics and instrumentation with serial links
These suit any system needing reliable RS-232 signaling between devices.

MAX241CWI is available in an 8-pin Small-Outline Integrated Circuit package (SOIC).