MC1488NE4 - Quad RS-232 Line Driver 300kbps | Texas Instruments
Teilenummer: MC1488NE4 ✓ AktivMC1488NE4 Übersicht
A line driver is an interface IC that converts low-voltage logic-level signals from a UART or microcontroller into the larger voltage swings required by the EIA/TIA-232 (RS-232) serial communication standard. Within the signal-chain hierarchy, it sits between the digital controller and the physical serial cable, and forms a driver-receiver pair with companion parts such as the MC1489 quadruple line receiver. RS-232 remains common in industrial equipment, point-of-sale terminals, and legacy instrumentation despite newer USB and Ethernet links.
The MC1488NE4 provides four drivers in one package, each with TTL/CMOS-compatible inputs and RS-232-level outputs. Output signal swing is set by the supply rails, allowing engineers to tailor output levels via the positive and negative supplies. Typical output current capability supports driving standard RS-232 cable capacitance at data rates up to 300 kb/s, per the manufacturer datasheet. The N suffix package is molded PDIP, suited to through-hole prototypes and repair of legacy boards.
Architecturally, the part uses a monolithic bipolar process. Each driver contains ainput stage, phase-splitting stage, and output structure referenced between the two supply rails, producing output swings that meet EIA-232-E voltage requirements when supplies are appropriately chosen. Series elements at the supply terminals are used in the manufacturer's typical application to improve robustness.
Typical applications include UART-to-RS-232 conversion in industrial terminals, modem and DTE-to-DCE interfacing, programming and debugging ports on legacy equipment, and educational/lab serial circuits. It pairs naturally with the MC1489 or DS1489 receiver on the far end of the link.
Design consideration: the MC1488 requires both a positive and a negative supply rail - systems lacking a negative rail need a charge-pump converter such as the MAX232 family or ICL232, which integrate the voltage generation. Also verify power dissipation with multiple drivers switching simultaneously.
This page adds value beyond the manufacturer datasheet by synthesizing drop-in alternative cross-references (DS14C88, SN75188, SN75C188), comparison tables, and practical design notes in one place for sourcing and design engineers.
Drop-in-Alternativen für MC1488NE4 – gleiches Gehäuse, Pin-kompatibel. Bauteile mit anderem Gehäuse, die eine PCB-Überarbeitung erfordern, sind ausgeschlossen.
Varianten dieser Serie
Modelle derselben Serie, die drop-in-kompatibel sind mit MC1488NE4 (gleiche Bauform und Footprint) – abweichend in Package, Interface Standard, Mounting Type, Product Type.
SN75188N
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Spezifikationen ungeprüftPreis auf Anfrage
Datenblatt ansehen →SN75C188N
✅ Drop-In📋 Referenzalternative (nicht im Katalog)
MC1488P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Spezifikationen ungeprüftPreis auf Anfrage
Datenblatt ansehen →DS14C88M/NOPB
✅ Drop-In📋 Referenzalternative (nicht im Katalog)
DS1488N
✅ Drop-In📋 Referenzalternative (nicht im Katalog)
MC1488NE4 Technische Daten
| Funktion | Quadruple line driver |
| Protocol | EIA/TIA-232 (RS-232) |
| Number of Drivers | 4 |
| Datenrate | 300 kb/s |
| Supply Voltage Max | 15 V |
| Supply Voltage Min | 7.5 V |
| Input Type | TTL/CMOS compatible |
| Ausgangstyp | RS-232 level (swing set by supplies) |
| Operating Temperature Min | 0 C |
| Gehäuse | 14-PDIP (N) |
| Montageart | Through Hole |
| Marking Code | MC1488N |
| Description | QUADRUPLE LINE DRIVERS |
MC1488NE4 Pin-Konfiguration
| Pin 1 | VCC — Positive supply (7.5 V to 15 V) |
| Pin 2 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 3 | 1A — Driver 1 TTL-level input |
| Pin 4 | 1Y — Driver 1 RS-232-level output |
| Pin 5 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 6 | 2A — Driver 2 TTL-level input |
| Pin 7 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 8 | 2Y — Driver 2 RS-232-level output |
| Pin 9 | 3A — Driver 3 TTL-level input |
| Pin 10 | 3Y — Driver 3 RS-232-level output |
| Pin 11 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 12 | 4A — Driver 4 TTL-level input |
| Pin 13 | 4Y — Driver 4 RS-232-level output |
| Pin 14 | VEE — Negative supply |
Typische Anwendungen
MC1488NE4 ist geeignet für 6 Anwendungs: UART to RS-232 Conversion, Industrial Terminal and Legacy Equipment Repair, DTE to DCE Modem Interfacing, Point-of-Sale and Financial Terminals, Embedded Debug and Programming Ports, Educational and Laboratory Serial Circuits.
UART to RS-232 Conversion
The MC1488NE4 converts the TTL-level TX output of a microcontroller UART into RS-232 voltage levels for transmission over a serial cable. Each driver accepts a 0 V to 5 V logic input and produces a signal swinging between the positive and negative supply rails (typically +12 V and -12 V), meeting EIA-232 level requirements. With a 300 kb/s data-rate capability, it supports all standard UART baud rates up to 115200 bps with ample margin. Place the driver close to the UART and add the manufacturer's recommended series supply diodes for fault tolerance. Remember it is driver-only - use an MC1489-type receiver for the RX direction.
Empfohlen
Industrial Terminal and Legacy Equipment Repair
Factories still run PLCs, CNC controllers, and operator terminals with RS-232 service ports designed around the MC1488/MC1489 driver-receiver pair. The MC1488NE4 in PDIP-14 is a through-hole part that drops directly into the original socket, making board-level repair straightforward without PCB modification. Its 300 kb/s rate and dual-supply operation match the original design intent, and the bipolar driver structure tolerates the voltage excursions typical of industrial cabinets. Because some channel stock is fulfilled through Rochester Electronics, availability is maintained for end-of-life-sensitive maintenance programs.
Empfohlen
DTE to DCE Modem Interfacing
Classic data terminal equipment (DTE) to data circuit-terminating equipment (DCE) links - computer to modem, per EIA-232-E - use the MC1488NE4 to drive TXD, RTS, and DTR signals from terminal logic levels to RS-232 levels. The four drivers cover a complete basic handshake set: transmit data plus three control outputs. At standard modem rates the 300 kb/s ceiling is far above requirement, and output swings set by +/-12 V rails satisfy standard cable drive levels for typical 3 m to 15 m runs. Pair with MC1489 receivers at the modem end for RXD, CTS, and DSR return signals.
Empfohlen
Point-of-Sale and Financial Terminals
Receipt printers, card terminals, and cash drawers frequently expose RS-232 ports, and service boards for these devices commonly use the MC1488NE4 to drive the printer or drawer interface. The driver's dual-rail outputs deliver robust signaling over the shielded cables typical of retail countertops, and its TTL-compatible inputs connect directly to the terminal MCU. With 300 kb/s capability, even high-speed thermal printer links are comfortably supported. In repair scenarios the PDIP package allows socketed replacement without rework equipment, minimizing service time at the counter.
Empfohlen
Embedded Debug and Programming Ports
Many legacy evaluation boards and embedded systems expose an RS-232 console for bootloaders, trace output, and firmware updates. The MC1488NE4 buffers the target's UART TX (and handshaking outputs) onto the debug cable with proper RS-232 levels, protecting the MCU from cable transients with its bipolar output structure. Because the output swing follows the supply rails, designers can set signaling levels compatible with attached host adapters. Its 0 C minimum commercial rating suits lab and office environments; for outdoor or automotive bays use parts rated to -40 C instead.
Empfohlen
Educational and Laboratory Serial Circuits
Electronics courses and lab benches use the MC1488NE4 to teach RS-232 physical-layer concepts because its discrete driver structure makes level conversion visible and measurable on a scope: students observe TTL inputs transforming to +/-12 V outputs and study edge rates against cable capacitance. The through-hole PDIP-14 package suits breadboards and solderless prototyping, unlike surface-mount transceivers. With a 300 kb/s limit, experiments on edge slowdown and capacitance effects are well bounded, and the dual-supply requirement itself illustrates why later single-supply charge-pump transceivers were developed.
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Zusammenfassung der empfohlenen Produkte
Technische Referenzdaten für MC1488NE4 – Vergleich, Designhinweise und Compliance-Informationen.
Auswahlhilfe
Vergleich mit Alternativen
| Parameter | Dieses Produkt | SN75188N | SN75C188N | MC1488P | DS14C88M/NOPB | DS1488N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 14-PDIP (N) | 14-PDIP (N) - same | 14-PDIP (N) - same | 14-PDIP (N) - same | 14-PDIP (N) - same | 14-PDIP (N) - same |
| Brand | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments | Maxim Integrated | Maxim Integrated |
| Number of Drivers | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Protocol | EIA/TIA-232 (RS-232) | EIA/TIA-232 (RS-232) | EIA/TIA-232 (RS-232) | EIA/TIA-232 (RS-232) | EIA/TIA-232 (RS-232) | EIA/TIA-232 (RS-232) |
| Mounting | Through Hole | Through Hole | Through Hole | Through Hole | Through Hole | Through Hole |
Wichtigste Unterscheidungsmerkmale
- Original MC1488 documentation lineage for legacy repair (vs. DS14C88M/NOPB)
- Through-hole PDIP-14 socket compatibility (vs. SN75C188N)
- Dual-rail architecture with supply-defined output swing (vs. MAX232N)
Designhinweise
The MC1488NE4 requires both a positive and a negative rail (7.5 V to 15 V magnitude each per distributor specs; classic systems use +/-12 V). Add the manufacturer's recommended series diode at each supply terminal per the typical application circuit to improve fault tolerance against cable shorts to other rails. Estimated: with all four drivers swinging into 2500 pF cable capacitance at high baud rates, dynamic dissipation rises with frequency, so verify package power limits when driving long cables - reduce rail magnitude if marginal.
Because this is a through-hole PDIP-14 part, place decoupling (100 nF ceramic from VCC to GND and from VEE to GND) within a few centimeters of pins 1, 7, and 14. Keep driver output traces short and, for multi-conductor RS-232 cables, maintain the signal-ground reference on the cable. If converting an existing MC1488 footprint to SN75188N, DS1488N, or DS14C88M/NOPB, no land-pattern change is required since all are pin-compatible in PDIP-14.
The most common design error is assuming the MC1488NE4 includes receivers - it is driver-only (0 receivers). A full RS-232 link needs an MC1489-type receiver for the return direction, or a redesign to an integrated transceiver such as the MAX232 if no negative rail exists. Also remember output swing tracks the supplies: rails below roughly 7.5 V magnitude may not meet EIA-232 receiver thresholds at the far end, especially over lossy cables.
The 300 kb/s rating is a device ceiling, not a cable guarantee. Estimated: at 115200 bps over cables above roughly 10 m with several pF per foot of capacitance, output edges slow visibly; keep bit-rate-versus-cable-length within standard RS-232 guidance. Scope the output edges with a representative cable length attached rather than at the bare pin, since load capacitance dominates transition time on bipolar RS-232 drivers.
Compliance-Informationen
Compliance status for this legacy part must be confirmed against the RoHS certificate on the Texas Instruments MC1488 product page for the specific lot offered; historical and current-compliance builds share the same package code.
