ADM230LJN - +5V CMOS RS-232 Driver/Receiver, 120 kbps, PDIP-20 | Analog Devices
MPN: ADM230LJN ⚠ Last Time BuyADM230LJN Overview
An RS-232 transceiver is an interface IC that combines a line driver and a line receiver, converting between TTL/CMOS logic levels and the differential bipolar signalling of the RS-232 standard. In the signal chain it belongs to the transceiver class, which sits between parallel logic ICs and a multi-driver, single-ended, physically long cable. A transceiver IC is a subtype of interface IC, which is itself part of the broader semiconductor and signal-conditioning hierarchy.
Key features of the ADM230LJN include single +5 V operation, CMOS logic compatibility with 5 V microcontrollers, 120 kbps signalling rate, and a plastic PDIP-20 package that allows through-hole assembly and socketed prototyping. Because the part runs from a single +5 V rail, no separate negative voltage supply or external charge-pump components are required for standard RS-232 levels. The 0 °C to +70 °C rating places it firmly in commercial-temperature grade designs.
The +5 V single-supply architecture is the key technical differentiator versus classic RS-232 transceivers that expect a dual ±12 V or ±5 V rail. This simplifies power tree design in industrial controllers, POS terminals, and instrumentation where only regulated +5 V is available, and it lowers overall board current compared with older bipolar driver-receiver combinations.
Typical applications include PC serial port interfacing, industrial data acquisition and control panels, point-of-sale and retail peripherals, industrial instrumentation, and general-purpose RS-232 links between a host UART and an external modem or instrument.
When designing with the ADM230LJN, keep the RS-232 cable run short, place the transceiver close to the connector, and route the differential receiver pair as a tightly coupled pair with a solid ground reference, because unbalanced RS-232 signalling is susceptible to ground-offset noise.
This page consolidates verified distributor and manufacturer data, drop-in replacement options in the same PDIP-20 footprint, and practical interface-design notes that are not found in a single manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for ADM230LJN — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
ADM230L
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MAX241CPE
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MAX242CPE
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MAX243CPE
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ADM230LJN Specifications
| Device Type | RS-232 line driver / receiver (transceiver) |
| Supply Voltage | +5 V (single supply) |
| Data Rate | 120 kbps |
| Interface Standard | EIA-232-E / V.28 |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to +70 °C |
| Package | PDIP-20 (plastic DIP-20) |
| Pin Count | 20 pins |
| Mounting Type | Through-hole |
| Logic Compatibility | CMOS / 5 V TTL-compatible |
| RoHS Status | unknown |
| REACH Status | unknown |
| Automotive Grade (AEC-Q100) | not_applicable |
| Manufacturer | Analog Devices |
ADM230LJN pdip-20 (plastic dip-20) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ADM230LJN (pdip-20 (plastic dip-20) 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 ADM230LJN.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ADM230LJN is suitable for 6 applications: Legacy PC Serial Port Interface, Industrial Data Acquisition Terminal, Point-of-Sale and Retail Periphery, Test and Measurement Instrumentation, Multi-Drop RS-232 Fanout Hub, Security and Access Control Panels.
Legacy PC Serial Port Interface
The ADM230LJN fits PC-compatible RS-232 ports because it runs from a single +5 V rail at up to 120 kbps, the signalling rate used by legacy COM ports and industrial clones. Place the transceiver between the host UART TXD/RXD lines and the DB-9 or DB-25 connector, and use the on-chip level translation to present true bipolar RS-232 levels to the cable. Because the part needs no negative supply, the board keeps a single regulator and fewer bypass capacitors than classic ±12 V driver-receiver designs, which simplifies the power tree in compact legacy controller boards.
Recommended
Industrial Data Acquisition Terminal
The ADM230LJN is a reasonable choice for acquisition terminals that must talk to legacy RS-232 instrumentation at 120 kbps while being powered from a 24 V-derived 5 V rail. The 0 °C to +70 °C rating suits enclosed indoor cabinets, but not unheated factory floors, so specify an extended-temperature transceiver where ambient conditions exceed 70 °C. The through-hole PDIP-20 outline simplifies repairs on long-life industrial equipment where field replacement of a surface-mount transceiver is impractical and spares are stocked in DIP form.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale and Retail Periphery
Point-of-sale terminals and receipt printers still expose RS-232 ports, and the ADM230LJN provides level translation in a single +5 V supply domain that matches the POS main board. Its 120 kbps rate is more than sufficient for receipt data, barcode scanner traffic and magnetic stripe readers, and the 20-pin through-hole package is well supported by the large installed base of POS motherboards designed around DIP sockets. The single-supply architecture also helps meet standby-current targets in kiosks that spend long periods powered but idle.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Instrumentation
Bench instruments such as function generators, power supplies and logic analysers frequently offer RS-232 remote-control ports, and the ADM230LJN suits these 0 °C to +70 °C indoor environments. The 120 kbps ceiling is adequate for SCPI-style command and response traffic, which is mostly short ASCII strings. Use the transceiver at the connector end of the board with a solid ground reference, because unbalanced RS-232 picks up ground-offset noise when the instrument and controller are on separate supplies, a problem made worse by long bench cable runs.
Recommended
Multi-Drop RS-232 Fanout Hub
Where a controller must talk to several RS-232 peripherals that share a common ground, the ADM230LJN multi-channel transceiver family is used to fan out driver and receiver lines from a single +5 V supply, avoiding the cost of several single-channel devices. This keeps the board count and connector count down in concentrator boxes while preserving the 120 kbps signalling budget of the EIA-232-E standard. Keep in mind that RS-232 is single-ended and not designed for multi-drop topologies, so each branch should be short and individually buffered.
Recommended
Security and Access Control Panels
Access-control readers and door controllers in building systems often expose RS-232 for configuration and diagnostics, and the ADM230LJN covers this need from a regulated +5 V supply inside the enclosure. Its commercial 0 °C to +70 °C range suits indoor controlled environments such as lobbies and equipment rooms, while the through-hole package remains convenient for installers who service boards on site. For outdoor or unheated installations, specify a wide-temperature RS-232 transceiver instead, since the ADM230LJN has no AEC-Q100 or extended-temperature qualification.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ADM230LJN — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ADM230L | MAX241CPE | MAX242CPE | MAX243CPE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Analog Devices | Analog Devices | Maxim Integrated | Maxim Integrated | Maxim Integrated |
| Package | PDIP-20 (plastic DIP-20), through-hole | PDIP-20 (plastic DIP-20), through-hole - same | PDIP-20, through-hole - same | PDIP-20, through-hole - same | PDIP-20, through-hole - same |
| Supply Voltage | +5 V single supply | +5 V single supply - same | +5 V single supply | +5 V single supply | +5 V single supply |
| Interface Standard | EIA-232-E / V.28 | EIA-232-E / V.28 - same | RS-232 | RS-232 | RS-232 |
Key Differentiators
- Single +5 V supply removes the need for a negative rail in RS-232 interface designs (vs MAX241CPE)
- Verified 120 kbps data rate and 0 °C to +70 °C commercial temperature specification (vs MAX242CPE)
- Through-hole PDIP-20 footprint suits legacy spares stocking and field serviceability (vs MAX243CPE)
Design Notes
RS-232 is an unbalanced, single-ended standard, so noise pickup is proportional to the difference between the signal ground and the driver ground. Tie the transceiver ground pins directly to the ground of the connector shield and to the logic ground of the host UART with a single short, low-impedance path rather than letting the cable shield float. Keep the trace from the transceiver output to the DB-9 or DB-25 connector under about 100 mm; long internal traces act as an antenna and re-radiate the cable noise straight back into the receiver.
Do not substitute a 16-pin SOIC transceiver such as MAX232DR or MAX202IDR for the ADM230LJN without a board change: the DIP-20 and SOIC-16 footprints and channel counts differ, so the part will not physically drop into the same land pattern. Also avoid driving the ADM230LJN receiver from a 5 V TTL signal directly on the RS-232 side, and never exceed the rated input voltage on the driver pins, since both errors can latch up or damage the CMOS output stage.
Because the ADM230LJN runs from a single +5 V rail, budget the rail for both the logic load and the transceiver's internal supply current, and place a 0.1 uF ceramic bypass capacitor plus a 1 uF to 10 uF bulk capacitor at the device supply pins. If the board also derives ±12 V for other analogue sections, do not use that rail to feed the ADM230LJN, because the single-supply architecture is one of the main reasons for choosing this part in the first place.
For a legacy DIP-20 through-hole design, leave the connector footprint on the board edge and route the driver and receiver pairs away from switching regulators, DC-DC converters and high-current relay traces. Where a metal enclosure is used, bond the connector shell to chassis ground and use a separate, single-point chassis-to-logic connection near the transceiver to prevent ground loops from injecting noise into the unbalanced receiver.
Compliance Information
No explicit RoHS, REACH, lead-free or halogen-free statements appeared in the verified web data for the ADM230LJN; these fields are therefore left as unknown rather than assumed. The 0 °C to +70 °C rating indicates a commercial-temperature, non-automotive grade part.
