ADM208AR - 200 kbps 4/4 RS-232 Transceiver | Analog Devices
MPN: ADM208AR ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.53 | $2.53 |
| 10 | $2.53 | $25.30 |
| 100 | $2.53 | $253.00 |
| 500 | $2.53 | $1,265.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.53 | $2,530.00 |
ADM208AR Overview
An RS-232 transceiver is an interface IC that converts logic-level signals between a host or controller and a cable-based RS-232 link. The driver channels translate CMOS levels into RS-232-compatible bipolar signals, while the receiver channels convert those signals back into CMOS logic. As a result, the ADM208AR belongs to the RS-232 interface IC, communications transceiver, line-driver/receiver, and power-management interface hierarchy.
Key verified features include four drivers and four receivers, operation from a single +5 V supply, 0.1 µF charge-pump capacitors, and a data rate listed by the official product page as 200 kbps. The manufacturer describes the ADM2xx family as robust RS-232 and V.28 interface devices intended for communications systems that do not have a 12 V rail. Additional detailed electrical, environmental, and package values require confirmation in the manufacturer datasheet.
The ADM208AR is useful for industrial control links, equipment-to-console connections, embedded serial ports, point-of-sale equipment, and test systems requiring more than two RS-232 channels. Its four-channel arrangement reduces the need for multiple interface packages when several point-to-point RS-232 links share the same +5 V system supply. The 24-SOIC package is also suitable for conventional surface-mount PCB assembly.
Designers should verify every unused driver output and receiver input, preserve the required charge-pump capacitor arrangement, and treat the RS-232 cable interface as a physically isolated communication environment rather than a high-speed differential link. The verified snippets identify the device as a plug-in upgrade family relative to MAX205-211 and MAX213 parts, but each replacement must still be checked against the exact pinout, supply requirements, and timing ratings.
For a new layout, use the exact package drawing and pin table from the Analog Devices datasheet before routing. Confirm the external capacitor values, supply decoupling, logic levels, receiver thresholds, and maximum cable-side voltage levels against the latest manufacturer documentation. Pricing and availability should be checked as of 2026-10-22 because distributor commercial terms can change independently of the component's electrical design.
This page synthesizes the verified ADM208AR product description, distributor package information, and practical RS-232 design considerations. It does not infer unreported electrical limits or invent replacement specifications; unavailable values are explicitly marked for engineering verification.
Drop-in alternatives for ADM208AR — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with ADM208AR (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Product Type, Package, Number of Drivers, Number of Receivers, Data Rate.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MAX213CWI+
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MAX211CWI+
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
Contact for price
View Datasheet →MAX211IDB
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.41 / Unit
View Datasheet →MAX202CD
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.1781 / Unit
View Datasheet →MAX3232CD
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.7831 / Unit
View Datasheet →ADM208AR Specifications
| Product Type | RS-232 transceiver |
| Driver Count | 4 |
| Receiver Count | 4 |
| Supply Voltage | +5 V |
| Data Rate | 200 kbps |
| Charge-Pump Capacitor Value | 0.1 µF |
| Interface Standard | RS-232 |
| Compatibility Context | EIA-232-E and V.28 |
| Package | 24-pin SOIC |
| Package Designation | 24-SOIC |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Logic Technology | CMOS |
| Number of Transceiver Channels | 4 |
| Power-Supply Architecture | Single +5 V supply |
ADM208AR 24-soic Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ADM208AR (24-soic package). Pin numbering, functions, and connection diagrams are defined in the manufacturer datasheet. Refer to it for the exact footprint and soldering guidelines.
No detailed pinout data available for ADM208AR.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ADM208AR is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Serial Links, Equipment-to-Console Communications, Embedded Serial Port Expansion, Point-of-Sale and Retail Peripherals, Data Acquisition and Test Equipment, Legacy Communications Upgrade.
Industrial Control Serial Links
The ADM208AR fits industrial control cabinets that need four RS-232 channels from one +5 V supply. Its four drivers and four receivers can support several point-to-point links between a controller, service equipment, and external modules, while the 200 kbps rate is appropriate for supervisory and configuration traffic rather than high-speed bulk transfer. The 24-SOIC package keeps the interface consolidated on a conventional surface-mount PCB. Before deployment, verify the datasheet's operating temperature, ESD, and transient limits because those values are [DATA_NEEDED: industrial environmental ratings]. Add cable-side protection according to the application's grounding and surge environment.
Recommended
Equipment-to-Console Communications
The ADM208AR is useful when laboratory, test, or industrial equipment must expose multiple RS-232 ports to a host console or service laptop. Four transmitters can drive separate cables while four receivers collect independent responses, avoiding a separate one-channel package for every connection. The +5 V supply matches many embedded control systems, and the 24-SOIC package supports automated assembly. The verified 200 kbps headline rate should be checked against protocol timing and cable length; receiver thresholds, propagation delay, and driver swing are [DATA_NEEDED: exact RS-232 timing and levels].
Recommended
Embedded Serial Port Expansion
The ADM208AR can expand a +5 V embedded controller's serial-interface capacity when four independent RS-232 channels are required. The four drivers and four receivers provide a compact channel-count match for legacy equipment that predates USB or Ethernet connectivity. Its CMOS logic interface keeps the system at one supply rail, while the 24-SOIC package is straightforward for a mixed-signal board. Confirm whether the host UART voltage levels and signal polarity are compatible, and do not assume that RS-232 electrical protection is equivalent to RS-485 surge protection.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale and Retail Peripherals
The ADM208AR is suitable for retail equipment that retains one or more legacy RS-232 ports for printers, scanners, displays, or service consoles. Four transmit and receive channels allow a compact interface block in systems that need more than a single COM port, while the +5 V supply simplifies integration with embedded electronics. The device is not a USB-to-RS-232 converter, so the host system must provide compatible UART logic and cable wiring. Verify the manufacturer's 24-SOIC footprint and external charge-pump capacitor arrangement directly from the datasheet before layout release.
Recommended
Data Acquisition and Test Equipment
The ADM208AR can support multi-channel RS-232 control and status connections in data-acquisition equipment, where a central instrument may need to coordinate several external fixtures. The four-channel arrangement reduces routing overhead compared with four separate transceiver packages, and the 200 kbps rate is adequate for many command and measurement-status protocols. The device should not be treated as an isolated interface; use appropriate grounding, cable shielding, and transient protection. The supplied data does not confirm isolation, ESD class, or industrial temperature range, so those requirements remain [DATA_NEEDED].
Recommended
Legacy Communications Upgrade
The ADM208AR is appropriate for equipment upgrades that retain RS-232 connectors but consolidate several low-speed communications links onto a modern +5 V controller. The verified family description specifically targets EIA-232-E and V.28 interfaces where 12 V is unavailable, making it relevant to legacy peripheral migration. A replacement decision must include channel count, logic levels, package, charge-pump pins, and cable-side voltage limits; a matching package name alone is not sufficient proof of pin-to-pin compatibility.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ADM208AR — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MAX213CWI+ | MAX211CWI+ | MAX211IDB | MAX202CD | MAX3232CD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 24-SOIC | SOIC-24 | SOIC-24 | SOIC-24 | SOIC-24 | SOIC-24 |
| Brand | Analog Devices | Maxim Integrated | Maxim Integrated | Maxim Integrated | Maxim Integrated | Maxim Integrated |
Key Differentiators
- Four-driver and four-receiver channel count (vs MAX211IDB)
- Single +5 V supply architecture (vs MAX213CWI+)
- 200 kbps documented data rate (vs MAX202CD)
- Compact 24-SOIC integration (vs MAX3232CD)
Design Notes
The ADM208AR is a single-+5 V RS-232 interface, so the power rail must meet the exact supply and decoupling requirements in the Analog Devices datasheet. Place the device's supply bypass capacitor close to the supply pins, and keep the charge-pump capacitor connections short and isolated from sensitive analog or high-speed digital nodes. The verified source confirms +5 V operation and 0.1 µF capacitors, but does not provide the complete capacitor network or current limit, so do not finalize the schematic from snippets alone.
Use the exact 24-SOIC footprint and pin numbering shown in the manufacturer package drawing. Route each RS-232 driver output and receiver input according to the verified channel assignment, and keep unused inputs in the state required by the datasheet. Because the supplied source does not include the complete pinout, engineers must not infer pin numbers from the package count. Confirm connector-side protection, ground continuity, and cable shielding before high-volume release.
A matching SOIC-24 package is not sufficient to establish replacement compatibility. Before substituting a MAX213, MAX211, MAX202, or MAX3232 candidate, compare every pin name, charge-pump connection, logic input threshold, driver output level, receiver behavior, shutdown state, and channel count. The supplied cross-reference search identifies family relationships but does not provide complete verified alternative data. Treat the listed alternatives as engineering candidates requiring datasheet confirmation, not as automatic drop-in approvals.
Compliance Information
The supplied verified snippets do not provide official RoHS, REACH, lead-free, halogen-free, or conflict-minerals declarations. The product is an RS-232 interface IC, so AEC-Q100 is not applicable in the supplied data, but compliance must be confirmed with Analog Devices or the selected authorized distributor.
