SP208CA-L/TR - 5V RS-232 4-Driver/4-Receiver Transceiver | MaxLinear
N.º de pieza: SP208CA-L/TR ⚠ Última compra| Cant. | Precio unitario | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.85 | $1,85 |
| 10 | $1.62 | $16,20 |
| 100 | $1.38 | $138,00 |
| 500 | $1.18 | $590,00 |
| 1.000 | $1.04 | $1.040,00 |
| 3.000 | $0.92 | $2.760,00 |
SP208CA-L/TR Descripción general
An RS-232 transceiver is a type of serial communication interface IC that bridges the logic-level UART signals of a microcontroller or processor with the higher-voltage, inverted-polarity signaling defined by the TIA/EIA-232 (formerly RS-232) standard. Within the broader semiconductor hierarchy, RS-232 transceivers sit under interface ICs, which themselves belong to the integrated circuit family alongside line drivers, bus transceivers, and level shifters. The SP208CA-L/TR is engineered for multi-channel point-to-point asynchronous serial links where reliable +/-10V signaling, electrostatic discharge (ESD) robustness, and minimal external component count are required.
Key features include 4 drivers and 4 receivers in a single IC, ESD protection of more than +/-15 kV on driver output and receiver input pins for both Human Body Model and IEC 1000-4-2 air-discharge events, a 1.0uA typical shutdown current, tri-state receiver outputs, and low-power CMOS construction. The 24-pin SSOP package supports commercial temperature range (0C to +70C) and occupies minimal PCB real estate. Multiple drivers and receivers in a single package reduce both board area and total BOM cost for designs that need to implement the standard DB9 or DB25 RS-232 port complement.
Technically, the SP208CA-L/TR uses a regulated dual-charge-pump voltage converter with internal switch capacitors and an architecture patented under US patent 5,306,954. The on-chip charge pump generates the +10V and -10V RS-232 rails from a single +5V input, eliminating the need for a negative supply. Driver slew rate is internally limited to reduce EMI and to meet the RS-232 transition time specification. Receivers remain operational when the device is in shutdown, which is useful for wake-up detection in DTE/DCE applications.
Typical applications include point-of-sale (POS) terminals, industrial control RS-232 ports, legacy PC serial ports, embedded UART debug consoles, and any MCU/MPU system that must communicate with RS-232 peripherals. The 0.1uF external capacitors and high ESD rating make it well-suited for handheld and industrial equipment where PCB space is constrained and field ESD exposure is a concern.
When designing with this part, place the four charge pump capacitors (typically four 0.1uF ceramics) as close as possible to the C1+, C1-, C2+, C2- pins to minimize ripple on the generated +/-10V rails. Observe the recommended trace geometry for the SSOP-24 thermal pad (none on this part) and provide a solid ground plane beneath the device to maximize ESD and EMI immunity.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in cross-brand alternatives from the SP208 family, application guidance, and design notes not typically aggregated on the manufacturer datasheet, giving engineers a single, citable reference for the SP208CA-L/TR.
Alternativas directas para SP208CA-L/TR — mismo encapsulado, compatible pin a pin. Se excluyen las piezas de otro encapsulado que requieren retrabajo de la PCB.
Herramienta de comparación rápida — seleccione piezas alternativas para compararlas lado a lado:
SP208EH
✅ Sustitución directa📋 Alternativa de referencia (no en el catálogo)
SP208CT
✅ Sustitución directa📋 Alternativa de referencia (no en el catálogo)
SP208EA
✅ Sustitución directa ⚠️ Especificaciones sin verificar📋 Alternativa de referencia (no en el catálogo)
SP207EA
✅ Sustitución directa📋 Alternativa de referencia (no en el catálogo)
MAX208CWG
✅ Sustitución directa📋 Alternativa de referencia (no en el catálogo)
MAX208EWG
✅ Sustitución directa📋 Alternativa de referencia (no en el catálogo)
SP208CA-L/TR Especificaciones
| Función | Transceiver |
| Number of Drivers/Receivers | 4/4 |
| Protocol | RS-232 |
| Velocidad de datos | 120 kbps (min), 230 kbps (typical) |
| Supply Voltage (Vcc) | 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| External Capacitors | 0.1 uF |
| ESD Protection (HBM) | ±15 kV |
| ESD Protection (IEC 61000-4-2 Air) | ±15 kV |
| Corriente de apagado | 1.0 uA typical |
| Temperatura de funcionamiento | 0 °C to +70 °C (Commercial) |
| Encapsulado / Carcasa | 24-SSOP (0.209 inch / 5.30 mm width) |
| Tipo de montaje | Surface Mount |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel (TR) |
| Estado RoHS | Compliant |
| Charge Pump | Patented on-chip dual (±10V generation) |
| Receiver Output | Tri-state |
Configuración de pines de SP208CA-L/TR
| Pin 1 | T4OUT — RS-232 driver 4 output |
| Pin 2 | T3OUT — RS-232 driver 3 output |
| Pin 3 | T2OUT — RS-232 driver 2 output |
| Pin 4 | T1OUT — RS-232 driver 1 output |
| Pin 5 | R4IN — RS-232 receiver 4 input |
| Pin 6 | R3IN — RS-232 receiver 3 input |
| Pin 7 | R2IN — RS-232 receiver 2 input |
| Pin 8 | R1IN — RS-232 receiver 1 input |
| Pin 9 | R5IN — RS-232 receiver 5 input |
| Pin 10 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 11 | VCC — +5V supply input |
| Pin 12 | V+ — Charge pump +10V output (to capacitor) |
| Pin 13 | V- — Charge pump -10V output (to capacitor) |
| Pin 14 | C1+ — Charge pump flying capacitor 1 positive |
| Pin 15 | C1- — Charge pump flying capacitor 1 negative |
| Pin 16 | C2+ — Charge pump flying capacitor 2 positive |
| Pin 17 | C2- — Charge pump flying capacitor 2 negative |
| Pin 18 | SHDN — Shutdown control (active low) |
| Pin 19 | T1IN — TTL/CMOS driver 1 input |
| Pin 20 | T2IN — TTL/CMOS driver 2 input |
| Pin 21 | T3IN — TTL/CMOS driver 3 input |
| Pin 22 | T4IN — TTL/CMOS driver 4 input |
| Pin 23 | EN — Receiver enable (active high) |
| Pin 24 | R1OUT — TTL/CMOS receiver 1 output |
Aplicaciones típicas
SP208CA-L/TR es adecuado para 6 aplicacións: Point-of-Sale (POS) Terminal RS-232 Port, Industrial Control & PLC Serial Ports, Legacy PC Serial Port & Embedded UART Debug Console, Handheld Barcode Scanner & Mobile Data Terminal, Networking Equipment Console & Management Port, Medical Device RS-232 Interface.
Point-of-Sale (POS) Terminal RS-232 Port
The SP208CA-L/TR is well suited for POS terminals where a multi-channel RS-232 port drives receipt printers, bar-code scanners, and cash-drawer triggers. Its four-driver / four-receiver configuration matches the full DB9 handshake complement, and the on-chip ±15 kV ESD protection (HBM and IEC 61000-4-2 air) on driver outputs and receiver inputs shields field-deployed terminals from cable-discharge events typical in retail checkout lanes. Operating from a single 5V rail with 0.1 µF charge pump capacitors, the part reduces BOM cost and PCB area in space-constrained terminal enclosures. The 120 kbps guaranteed data rate comfortably supports legacy printer and scanner baud rates (9600–115200) while the typical 230 kbps headroom leaves margin for higher-speed peripherals.
Recomendado
Industrial Control & PLC Serial Ports
Programmable logic controllers and industrial controllers expose RS-232 ports for HMI panels, drives, and legacy sensors. The SP208CA-L/TR delivers four drivers and four receivers from a single 5V rail with 0.1 µF charge pump capacitors, matching the multi-drop wiring used in factory-floor PLCs. Its commercial 0 °C to +70 °C range suits most cabinet installations, and the ±15 kV IEC 61000-4-2 air-discharge rating survives the high-ESD environments typical of motor cabinets and relay racks. With 120 kbps guaranteed and 230 kbps typical data rate, the part handles typical industrial protocols (Modbus RTU, DF1) and supports the long cable runs characteristic of factory wiring.
Recomendado
Legacy PC Serial Port & Embedded UART Debug Console
Embedded motherboards, single-board computers, and industrial PCs use RS-232 transceivers to expose legacy DB9 ports and UART debug consoles to the outside world. The SP208CA-L/TR provides the four-driver / four-receiver complement required for a full DB9 implementation including RTS/CTS/DTR/DSR handshakes, all from one 5V supply. Its 0.1 µF external charge pump capacitors shrink the BOM versus legacy 1 µF / 10 µF designs, while the 24-SSOP package saves PCB area versus SOIC-24 alternatives. The 120 kbps minimum data rate comfortably supports standard COM-port baud rates (up to 115200) used by debug shells, bootloaders, and BIOS consoles.
Recomendado
Handheld Barcode Scanner & Mobile Data Terminal
Battery-powered handheld scanners and mobile data terminals expose RS-232 ports to communicate with charging cradles and legacy accessories. The SP208CA-L/TR's 1.0 µA typical shutdown current allows the RS-232 port to be powered down between scans, extending runtime on handheld devices. The four-driver / four-receiver configuration supports full RTS/CTS flow control required by many industrial scanners, and the ±15 kV HBM ESD rating protects the handheld from cable-discharge events when docked. Operating from a single 5V rail with 0.1 µF capacitors, the part minimizes both quiescent draw and PCB footprint in space-limited enclosures.
Recomendado
Networking Equipment Console & Management Port
Routers, switches, and base stations expose RS-232 console ports for out-of-band management and CLI access. The SP208CA-L/TR provides four drivers and four receivers from a single 5V rail, supporting the full RJ-45-to-DB9 adapter pinout commonly used by Cisco-style console cables. Its on-chip charge pump with 0.1 µF capacitors minimizes PCB area on dense networking PCBs, and the 120 kbps data rate is more than adequate for serial CLI sessions and bootloader interactions. The ±15 kV ESD protection on driver outputs and receiver inputs withstands the static-discharge events common when field engineers hot-plug console cables.
Recomendado
Medical Device RS-232 Interface
Patient monitors, infusion pumps, and diagnostic instruments expose RS-232 ports for connection to hospital information systems and service laptops. The SP208CA-L/TR provides four-driver / four-receiver full RS-232 signaling with ±15 kV HBM and IEC 61000-4-2 ESD protection on driver outputs and receiver inputs, critical for hospital environments with frequent cable handling. The 5V single-supply operation with 0.1 µF charge pump capacitors simplifies the medical-device power tree, while the 24-SSOP package keeps PCB footprint small. The 120 kbps minimum data rate supports typical medical protocol baud rates (9600–57600) used by HL7-over-serial gateways.
Recomendado
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Datos de referencia de ingeniería para SP208CA-L/TR — comparación, orientación de diseño e información de cumplimiento.
Guía de selección
Comparación con alternativas
| Parámetro | Este producto | SP208EH | SP208CT | SP208EA | SP207EA | MAX208CWG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 24-SSOP | 24-SSOP - same | 24-SSOP - same | 24-SSOP - same | 24-SSOP - same | 24-SSOP - same |
| Brand | MaxLinear | MaxLinear | MaxLinear | MaxLinear | MaxLinear | Analog Devices (Maxim) |
| Drivers / Receivers | 4 / 4 | 4 / 4 | 4 / 4 | 4 / 4 | 5 / 3 | 4 / 4 |
| Supply Voltage | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Data Rate (min) | 120 kbps | 120 kbps | 120 kbps | 120 kbps | 120 kbps | 120 kbps |
| External Capacitors | 0.1 uF | 0.1 uF | 0.1 uF | 0.1 uF | 0.1 uF | 0.1 uF |
| ESD Protection (HBM) | ±15 kV | ±15 kV | ±15 kV | ±15 kV | ±15 kV | ±15 kV |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to +70 °C | –40 °C to +85 °C | 0 °C to +70 °C | –40 °C to +85 °C | –40 °C to +85 °C | 0 °C to +70 °C |
| Lifecycle Status | Last Time Buy (PDN 25008B) | Last Time Buy (PDN 25008B) | Last Time Buy (PDN 25008B) | Last Time Buy (PDN 25008B) | Active (verify with MaxLinear) | Active (Analog Devices) |
Diferenciadores clave
- Same-brand SP208EH drop-in with extended industrial temperature (frente a SP208EH)
- Cross-brand MAX208 drop-in with active lifecycle status (frente a MAX208CWG)
- Same-package but different channel count vs SP207EA (frente a SP207EA)
- Tape & Reel packaging vs tube (CT) (frente a SP208CT)
Notas de diseño
Place the four charge pump capacitors (C1, C2 — typically 0.1 µF X7R ceramics) as close as possible to the C1+, C1–, C2+, C2– pins to minimize ripple on the internally generated ±10V rails. Long charge-pump traces reduce effective transmitter output swing and can cause RS-232 level compliance failures at the receiver end. Use a solid ground plane directly beneath the device to provide a low-impedance return for the switching charge pump; avoid routing digital signals under the SSOP-24 footprint. The high-ESD driver and receiver pins (±15 kV HBM) still require external TVS protection if the cable is exposed to air-discharge events beyond the IEC 61000-4-2 rating of the bare IC.
Estimated: at no load the SP208CA-L/TR draws approximately 10–20 mA from VCC (5V) due to the charge pump switching losses; under full load with all four drivers driving ±5V into 3 kΩ receivers, supply current can reach 30–40 mA peak. Decouple VCC with a 0.1 µF ceramic in parallel with a 1 µF tantalum or aluminum polymer placed within 5 mm of the VCC pin. The 1 µF bulk capacitor helps the charge pump maintain regulation during simultaneous driver transitions that momentarily draw high peak current from the internal rail.
The SP208CA-L/TR driver slew rate is internally limited to comply with the TIA/EIA-232 transition time specification, which reduces EMI but limits maximum data rate to 120 kbps minimum (230 kbps typical). Do not assume faster data rates than 120 kbps without margin testing — capacitive cable loads or long PCB traces can push the transition time beyond the RS-232 mask. For receiver inputs, add 5 kΩ pull-down resistors to ground on any unused receiver input pins to prevent floating-input oscillation that can increase supply current and inject noise into the ±10V rails.
Common pitfalls with the SP208CA-L/TR include: (1) substituting 1 µF or 10 µF capacitors instead of the specified 0.1 µF — this changes the charge-pump resonant frequency and can cause the ±10V rails to fail regulation; (2) leaving unused receiver inputs floating, which can cause spurious receiver outputs and increased supply current; (3) tying SHDN low to disable the drivers but forgetting that receivers remain active in shutdown (a feature, not a bug — useful for wake-up detection); (4) failing to observe the 24-SSOP pin-1 orientation during reflow, which can result in reversed VCC and ground and destroy the part during power-up.
Información de cumplimiento
RoHS and REACH compliant per MaxLinear product page and DigiKey listing. Not AEC-Q100 qualified (commercial/industrial temperature only). Halogen-free status not stated in the verified data — set to unknown.
