The MAX13234E–MAX13237E are +3V to +5.5V powered EIA/TIA-232 and V.28/V.24 communications interfaces with high data-rate capabilities (up to 3Mbps), a
flexible logic voltage interface, and enhanced electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection. All receiver inputs
and transmitter outputs are protected to ±15kV IEC
61000–4-2 Air Gap Discharge, ±8kV IEC 61000-4-2
Contact Discharge, and ±15kV Human Body Model.
The MAX13234E/MAX13235E have two receivers and
two transmitters, while the MAX13236E/MAX13237E
have a single receiver and transmitter. The transmitters
have a low-dropout transmitter output stage, delivering
true RS-232 performance from a +3V to +5.5V supply
based on a dual charge pump. The charge pump
requires only four small 0.1µF capacitors for operation
from a +3.3V supply.
All devices achieve a 1µA supply current using Maxim’s
AutoShutdown Plus™ feature. These devices automatically enter a low-power shutdown mode when the
RS-232 cable is disconnected or the devices driving
the transmitter and receiver inputs are inactive for more
than 30s.
The MAX13234E–MAX13237E are available in spacesaving TQFN and TSSOP packages and operate over
the -40°C to +85°C extended temperature range.
= +3V to +5.5V, VL= +1.62V to VCC, TA= -40°C to +85°C, C1–C4 = 0.1µF, VCC= VL, tested at 3.3V ±10%. Typical values are
at TA= +25°C.) (Note 2)
Stresses beyond those listed under “Absolute Maximum Ratings” may cause permanent damage to the device. These are stress ratings only, and functional
operation of the device at these or any other conditions beyond those indicated in the operational sections of the specifications is not implied. Exposure to
absolute maximum rating conditions for extended periods may affect device reliability.
Note 1: Package thermal resistances were obtained using the method described in JEDEC specification JESD51-7, using a four-
layer board. For detailed information on package thermal considerations, refer to www.maxim-ic.com/thermal-tutorial
.
(All voltages referenced to GND.)
V
CC
...................................................................... -0.3V to +6.0V
V
L
......................................................................... -0.3V to +6.0V
V+ ........................................................................ -0.3V to +7.0V
V- ......................................................................... +0.3V to -7.0V
= +3V to +5.5V, VL= +1.62V to VCC, TA= -40°C to +85°C, C1–C4 = 0.1µF, VCC= VL, tested at 3.3V ±10%. Typical values are
at TA= +25°C.) (Note 2)
Note 2: All devices are 100% production tested at TA= +85°C. All temperature limits are guaranteed by design.
Note 3: A transmitter/receiver edge is defined as a transition through the transmitter/receiver input-logic thresholds.
Note 4: Transmitter skew is measured at the transmitter zero cross points.
Transition-Region Slew Rate
TIMING CHARACTERISTICS (MAX13235E/MAX13237E)
Maximum Data Rate
Receiver Propagation Delay
Transmitter Skew
Receiver Skew
Transition-Region Slew Rate
ESD PROTECTION
PARAMETERSYMBOLCONDITIONSMINTYPMAXUNITS
= +3.3V, TA = +25°C, RL = 3kΩ to 7kΩ,
V
CC
measured from +3V to -3V or -3V to +3V,
t
RPHL
t
RPLH
|t
TPHL
t
TPLH
|t
RPHL
t
RPLH
one transmitter switching, C
1000pF
RL = 3kΩ, CL = 250pF, one transmitter
switching
= 3kΩ, CL = 150pF, one transmitter
R
L
switching
,
CL = 150pF, Figures 2, 30.15µs
–
Figures 4, 5 (Note 4)25ns
|
–
Figures 2, 350ns
|
= +3.3V, TA = +25°C, RL = 3kΩ to 7kΩ,
V
CC
measured from T
to +3V, one transmitter switching, C
150pF to 1000pF
The MAX13234E–MAX13237E feature a separate logic
supply input (V
L
) that sets the receiver’s output level
(V
OH
), and sets the transmitter’s input thresholds (VIL,
V
IH
). This feature allows flexibility in interfacing to
UARTs or communication controllers that have different
logic levels. Connect this input to the host logic supply
(1.62V ≤ VL≤ VCC).
Dual Charge-Pump Voltage Converter
The internal power supply consists of a regulated dual
charge pump that provides output voltages of +5.5V
and -5.5V (inverting charge pump), over the +3.0V to
+5.5V range. The charge pump operates in discontinuous mode: if the output voltages are less than +5.5V,
the charge pump is enabled; if the output voltages
exceed +5.5V, the charge-pump is disabled. The
charge pumps require flying capacitors (C1, C2) and
reservoir capacitors (C3, C4) to generate the V+ and Vsupplies. The READY output is low when the charge
pumps are disabled in shutdown mode. The READY
signal asserts high when V- goes below -4V.
RS-232 Transmitters
The transmitters are inverting level translators that convert CMOS-logic levels to ±5.0V EIA/TIA-232 levels.
The MAX13234E/MAX13236E guarantee a 250kbps
data rate with worst-case loads of 3kΩ in parallel with
1000pF. The MAX13235E/MAX13237E guarantee a
1Mbps data rate with worst-case loads of 3kΩ in parallel with 250pF, and a 3Mbps data rate with worst-case
loads of 3kΩ in parallel with 150pF. Transmitters can be
paralleled to drive multiple receivers. When FORCEOFF
is driven to ground or when the AutoShutdown Plus circuitry senses that all receiver and transmitter inputs are
inactive for more than 30s, the transmitters are disabled
and the outputs go into a high-impedance state. When
powered off or shut down, the outputs can be driven to
±12V. The transmitter inputs do not have pullup resistors. Connect unused inputs to GND or VL.
RS-232 Receivers
The receivers convert RS-232 signals to CMOS-logic
output levels. The MAX13234E–MAX13237E have
inverting outputs that are active when in shutdown
(FORCEOFF = GND) (Table 1).
AutoShutdown Plus Mode
Drive FORCEOFF high and FORCEON low to invoke
AutoShutdown Plus mode. When these devices do not
sense a valid signal transition on any receiver and
transmitter input for 30s, the onboard charge pumps
are shut down, reducing supply current to 1µA. This
occurs if the RS-232 cable is disconnected or
if the devices driving the transmitter and receiver
inputs are inactive for more than 30s. The
MAX13234E–MAX13237E turn on again when a valid
transition is applied to any RS-232 receiver or transmitter input. As a result, the system saves power without
requiring any control.
Figure 6 and Table 1 summarize the MAX13234E–
MAX13237E operating modes. The FORCEON and
FORCEOFF inputs override AutoShutdown Plus circuitry. When neither control is asserted, the IC selects
between these states automatically based on the last
receiver or transmitter input edge received.
Hardware-Controlled Shutdown
Drive FORCEOFF low to place the MAX13234E–
MAX13237E into shutdown mode.
Figure 7. AutoShutdown Plus Initial Turn-On to Wake Up a
Mouse or Another System
Figure 9b. IEC61000-4-2 ESD Generator Current Waveform
±15kV ESD Protection
ESD-protection structures are incorporated on all pins
to protect against electrostatic discharges encountered
during handling and assembly. The driver outputs and
receiver inputs of the MAX13234E–MAX13237E have
extra protection against static electricity. Maxim’s engineers have developed state-of-the-art structures to protect these pins against ESD of ±15kV without damage.
The ESD structures withstand high ESD in all states:
normal operation, shutdown, and powered down. After
an ESD event, Maxim’s E versions keep working without
latchup. ESD protection can be tested in various ways;
the transmitter outputs and receiver inputs of this product family are characterized for protection to the following limits:
1) ±15V Using the Human Body Model
2) ±15kV Using IEC 61000-4-2 Air-Gap Method
3) ±8kV Using IEC 61000-4-2 Contact-Discharge
Method
R
D
1500Ω
DISCHARGE
RESISTANCE
STORAGE
CAPACITOR
DEVICE
UNDER
TEST
HIGH-
VOLTAGE
DC
SOURCE
R
C
1MΩ
CHARGE-CURRENT
LIMIT RESISTOR
C
100pF
s
R
D
330Ω
DISCHARGE
RESISTANCE
STORAGE
CAPACITOR
DEVICE
UNDER
TEST
HIGH-
VOLTAGE
DC
SOURCE
R
C
50MΩ to 100MΩ
CHARGE-CURRENT
LIMIT RESISTOR
C
150pF
s
AMPERES
IP 100%
90%
36.8%
10%
0
0
t
RL
I
r
TIME
t
DL
CURRENT WAVEFORM
PEAK-TO-PEAK RINGING
(NOT DRAWN TO SCALE)
I
100%
90%
PEAK
I
10%
tr = 0.7ns to 1ns
30ns
60ns
t
ESD Test Conditions
ESD performance depends on a variety of conditions.
Contact Maxim for a reliability report that documents
test setup, test methodology, and test results.
Human Body Model
Figure 8a shows the Human Body Model and Figure 8b
shows the current waveform it generates when discharged into a low impedance. This model consists of
a 100pF capacitor charged to the ESD voltage of interest, which is then discharged into the test device
through a 1.5kΩ resistor.
IEC 61000-4-2
The IEC 61000-4-2 standard covers ESD testing and
performance of finished equipment; it does not specifically refer to integrated circuits. The MAX13234E–
MAX13237E helps design equipment that meets Level
4 (the highest level) of IEC 61000-4-2, without the need
for additional ESD-protection components. The major
difference between tests done using the Human Body
Model and IEC 61000-4-2 is higher peak current in IEC
61000-4-2, because series resistance is lower in the
IEC 61000-4-2 model. Hence, the ESD withstand voltage measured to IEC 61000-4-2 is generally lower than
that measured using the Human Body Model. Figure 9a
shows the IEC 61000-4-2 model and Figure 9b shows
the current waveform for the 8kV, IEC 61000-4-2, Level
4, ESD Contact-Discharge Method.
The Air-Gap Method involves approaching the device
with a charged probe. The Contact-Discharge Method
connects the probe to the device before the probe is
energized.
Applications Information
Capacitor Selection
The capacitor type used for C1–C4 is not critical for
proper operation; polarized or non-polarized capacitors
can be used. The charge pump requires 0.1µF capacitors for VCC= +3.3V operation. For other supply voltages, see Table 2 for required capacitor values. Do not
use values smaller than those listed in Table 2.
Increasing the capacitor values (e.g., by a factor of 2)
reduces ripple on the transmitter outputs and slightly
reduces power consumption. C2, C3, and C4 can be
increased without changing C1’s value. However, do
not increase C1 without also increasing the values
of C2, C3, C4, C
BYPASS1
, and C
BYPASS2
to maintain
the proper ratios (C1 to the other capacitors). When
using the minimum required capacitor values, make
sure the capacitor value does not degrade excessively
with temperature. If in doubt, use capacitors with a
larger nominal value. The capacitor’s equivalent series
resistance (ESR), usually rises at low temperatures
influencing the amount of ripple on V+ and V-.
Power-Supply Decoupling
In most circumstances, a 0.1µF VCCbypass capacitor
and a 1µF VLbypass capacitor are adequate. In applications that are sensitive to power-supply noise, use
capacitors of the same value as charge-pump capacitor C1. Connect bypass capacitors as close to the IC
as possible.
Transmitter Outputs when Exiting
Shutdown
Figure 10 shows two transmitter outputs when exiting
shutdown mode. As they become active, the two transmitter outputs are shown going to opposite RS-232 levels (one transmitter input is high, the other is low). Each
transmitter is loaded with 3kΩ in parallel with 1000pF.
The transmitter outputs display no ringing or undesirable transients as they come out of shutdown. Note that
the transmitters are enabled only when the magnitude
of V- exceeds approximately -3V.
The MAX13234E–MAX13237E maintain the RS-232 ±5V
minimum transmitter output voltage even at high data
rates. Figure 11 shows a transmitter loopback test circuit. Figure 12 shows a loopback test result at
120kbps, and Figure 13 shows the same test at 3Mbps.
In Figure 12, all transmitters were driven simultaneously
at 120kbps into RS-232 loads in parallel with 1000pF.
In Figure 13, a single transmitter was driven at 3Mbps,
and all transmitters were loaded with an RS-232 receiver in parallel with 150pF.
3Mbps RS-232 Transceivers with
Low-Voltage Interface
Maxim cannot assume responsibility for use of any circuitry other than circuitry entirely embodied in a Maxim product. No circuit patent licenses are
implied. Maxim reserves the right to change the circuitry and specifications without notice at any time.
16
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