ISL32173EFBZ - Quad 16.5kV ESD RS-485/422 Receiver | Renesas
MPN: ISL32173EFBZ ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.95 | $4.95 |
| 10 | $4.45 | $44.50 |
| 100 | $3.96 | $396.00 |
| 500 | $3.57 | $1,785.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.18 | $3,180.00 |
| 2,500 | $2.85 | $7,125.00 |
ISL32173EFBZ Overview
A receiver (also referred to as an RS-485/RS-422 receiver) is a differential line-side device that converts a small differential voltage on a twisted-pair bus into a single-ended logic-level signal at a UART or controller. Receivers sit at the bottom of the signal-chain hierarchy: differential transceiver -> line receiver -> interface IC -> semiconductor. Their role in the broader system hierarchy is to provide robust, noise-immune communication between controllers and remote sensors, motor drives, or instrumentation over distances up to 1200 meters.
Key features include ±16.5kV IEC 61000-4-2 ESD protection on the bus pins, ±200 µA input current per receiver that guarantees the 1/4 unit-load budget, 25 ns typical propagation delay at 3.3V for high-speed 64 Mbps signalling, and a fail-safe open-circuit and shorted-input design that forces a logic-high output when the bus is idle. The receiver outputs are tri-state capable, and the SOIC-16 (NB) package offers a 0°C/W-to-ambient thermal resistance that simplifies board-level thermal design. Pb-Free finish and 3.0V-to-5.5V VCC flexibility ease migration from 3.3V to 5V logic families.
Technically, the ISL32173EFBZ uses a bipolar differential front-end with on-chip IEC 61000-4-2 air-discharge protection structures and integrated hot-plug transient safeguards. The architecture combines a wide common-mode range (±7V and other surfaces) with low pulse skew, allowing the part to decode high-speed PROFIBUS, DMX512, or full-duplex RS-422 data streams without external TVS protection in most cabinet-internal installations.
Typical applications include industrial PROFIBUS DP nodes, building-automation RS-485 fieldbus transceivers, process-control remote I/O links, utility metering, motor-control feedback networks, and DMX512 stage-lighting receivers. The 64 Mbps data rate also suits high-speed RS-422 point-to-point links in factory automation.
When designing with this part, place 100 nF decoupling capacitors within one inch of the VCC lead and observe the bus-pin layout guidance in the Renesas application note for IEC 61000-4-2 protection structures. Verify that the chosen twisted pair maintains the 100 Ω characteristic impedance specified for high-speed data-rate variants of the ISL3217x family.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, giving an engineer a complete picture of the ISL32173EFBZ before committing it to a BOM.
Drop-in alternatives for ISL32173EFBZ — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ISL32175EFBZ
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ISL32177EFBZ
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ISL32173EFBZ-T
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ISL32173EIBZ
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ISL32275EFBZ
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MAX3485ESA+T
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
SP490EEN-L/TR
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ISL32173EFBZ Specifications
| Function | Receiver |
| Protocol | RS-422, RS-485 |
| Number of Drivers/Receivers | 0/4 |
| Data Rate | 64 Mbps |
| Supply Voltage (VCC) | 3.0 V to 5.5 V |
| ESD Protection (Bus Pins) | ±16.5 kV IEC 61000-4-2 |
| Receiver Input Current | ±200 µA (1/4 unit load) |
| Maximum Receivers on Bus | 128 |
| Common-Mode Range | -7 V to +12 V |
| Propagation Delay | 25 ns (typ at 3.3 V) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +125 °C |
| Package | 16-SOIC (150 mil, NB) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Lead-Free / Pb-Free | Yes (Pb-Free finish) |
| HSUSA Code | 8542390000 |
| Duplex | Full |
ISL32173EFBZ Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RO1 — Receiver output 1 |
| Pin 2 | RO2 — Receiver output 2 |
| Pin 3 | RO3 — Receiver output 3 |
| Pin 4 | RO4 — Receiver output 4 |
| Pin 5 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 6 | VCC — Power supply (3.0V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 7 | A4 — Differential input A, channel 4 |
| Pin 8 | B4 — Differential input B, channel 4 |
| Pin 9 | A3 — Differential input A, channel 3 |
| Pin 10 | B3 — Differential input B, channel 3 |
| Pin 11 | A2 — Differential input A, channel 2 |
| Pin 12 | B2 — Differential input B, channel 2 |
| Pin 13 | A1 — Differential input A, channel 1 |
| Pin 14 | B1 — Differential input B, channel 1 |
| Pin 15 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 16 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
ISL32173EFBZ is suitable for 6 applications: PROFIBUS DP Industrial Fieldbus Receivers, Building Automation RS-485 Fieldbus Nodes, Process Control Remote I/O and PLC Links, DMX512 Stage Lighting Receivers, Utility Metering and Smart-Grid Receivers, Industrial Motor-Control Feedback Networks.
PROFIBUS DP Industrial Fieldbus Receivers
The ISL32173EFBZ is well suited for PROFIBUS DP slave-node receiver implementations because of its 64 Mbps data rate headroom and ±16.5kV IEC 61000-4-2 ESD rating. The 1/4 unit-load input budget allows up to 128 receivers on a single twisted pair, which keeps multi-drop PROFIBUS networks within the standard 32-unit-load budget. Industrial -40 °C to +125 °C operation handles unconditioned cabinet environments common in factory automation, and the 3.0V to 5.5V supply lets the receiver interface directly to either 3.3V or 5V UART controllers without level shifters. The wide ±7V to +12V common-mode range also survives ground-potential differences between long-cable PROFIBUS segments.
Recommended
Building Automation RS-485 Fieldbus Nodes
In building-automation backbones such as BACnet MS-TP, the ISL32173EFBZ provides a robust quad receiver that decodes four RS-485 channels with a single IC, reducing board area. Its ±16.5kV air-discharge ESD protection defends bus pins against installer-induced transients common during field commissioning, while 3.0V to 5.5V operation allows direct connection to low-power building controllers. The 1/4 unit-load input supports dense multi-floor daisy chains, and the -40 °C to +125 °C temperature rating covers unconditioned mechanical rooms. Used in conjunction with a companion half-duplex transceiver, the ISL32173EFBZ delivers reliable full-duplex RS-422 backbones for elevator control and HVAC equipment monitoring.
Recommended
Process Control Remote I/O and PLC Links
Process-control PLCs and remote I/O blocks benefit from the ISL32173EFBZ quad receiver because it enables four isolated input channels per IC, reducing system cost. The 64 Mbps data rate supports high-speed backplane communication between PLC racks, while ±16.5kV ESD withstands the harsh electromagnetic environments of chemical and power plants. The 3.0V to 5.5V supply permits direct connection to legacy 5V PLC logic, and the 1/4 unit-load input allows up to 128 nodes per segment for distributed I/O networks. Combined with the wide -7V to +12V common-mode range, the part survives ground potential differences between distant cabinets typical in process plants.
Recommended
DMX512 Stage Lighting Receivers
The ISL32173EFBZ is a strong fit for DMX512 stage-lighting receivers where 250 kbps signalling is the norm but robust ESD and surge protection are required. The ±16.5kV IEC 61000-4-2 air-discharge rating protects receiver inputs against the static events common when connectors are mated in live-event setups. The 1/4 unit-load input enables up to 128 fixtures on a single DMX512 bus, which is well above the 32-unit-load budget commonly used for stage rigs. The 3.0V to 5.5V supply simplifies integration into both legacy 5V and modern 3.3V dimmer packs, and the -40 °C to +125 °C temperature rating covers outdoor festival environments.
Recommended
Utility Metering and Smart-Grid Receivers
Utility metering concentrators and smart-grid gateways use the ISL32173EFBZ as a robust RS-485 receiver for residential electricity, water, and gas meter clusters. The ±16.5kV IEC 61000-4-2 ESD withstands installation transients common during meter deployment, and the 1/4 unit-load budget supports dense meter populations on a single bus. The 64 Mbps data rate handles simultaneous high-rate meter reads from many endpoints, while 3.0V to 5.5V operation aligns with battery-backed metering concentrator supplies. The wide -40 °C to +125 °C range ensures operation in outdoor metering cabinets across all climate zones.
Recommended
Industrial Motor-Control Feedback Networks
Servo drives and industrial motor controllers use the ISL32173EFBZ as a quad RS-422 receiver for encoder feedback and resolver-to-digital interfaces. The 64 Mbps data rate accommodates high-resolution encoders with multi-megahertz pulse trains, while ±16.5kV ESD protects encoder lines from motor-drive switching transients. The 1/4 unit-load input lets multiple drives share a single feedback bus, and the wide -7V to +12V common-mode range tolerates ground differences between drive cabinets. The 3.0V to 5.5V supply connects directly to FPGA-based motion controllers such as the EFM32LG895F256G family, and the -40 °C to +125 °C range covers servo cabinet environments.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ISL32173EFBZ — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ISL32175EFBZ | ISL32177EFBZ | ISL32173EFBZ-T | MAX3485ESA+T | SP490EEN-L/TR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Renesas Electronics | Renesas Electronics | Renesas Electronics | Renesas Electronics | Maxim Integrated | MaxLinear |
| Package | 16-SOIC (NB) | 16-SOIC (NB) - same | 16-SOIC (NB) - same | 16-SOIC (NB) - same | 16-SOIC (NB) - same | 16-SOIC (NB) - same |
| Function | 0/4 Receiver | 0/4 Receiver | 0/4 Receiver | 0/4 Receiver | Transceiver (1 driver + 1 receiver) | Transceiver (1 driver + 1 receiver) |
| Data Rate | 64 Mbps | 80 Mbps | 80 Mbps | 64 Mbps | 12 Mbps | 10 Mbps |
| ESD Protection | ±16.5 kV IEC 61000-4-2 | ±16.5 kV IEC 61000-4-2 | ±16.5 kV IEC 61000-4-2 | ±16.5 kV IEC 61000-4-2 | ±15 kV HBM | ±15 kV HBM |
| Unit Load | 1/4 unit load | 1/4 unit load | 1/4 unit load | 1/4 unit load | 1 unit load | 1 unit load |
| Supply Voltage | 3.0 V to 5.5 V | 3.0 V to 5.5 V | 3.0 V to 5.5 V | 3.0 V to 5.5 V | 3.0 to 3.6 V | 4.75 V to 5.25 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +125 °C | -40 °C to +125 °C | -40 °C to +125 °C | -40 °C to +125 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C |
Key Differentiators
- ±16.5kV IEC 61000-4-2 ESD on bus pins (vs MAX3485ESA+T)
- Quad receiver with 0/4 driver configuration (vs MAX3485ESA+T)
- 1/4 unit load supports 128 receivers per bus (vs SP490EEN-L/TR)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VCC pin on pin 6 of the ISL32173EFBZ and tie the GND pin 5 to the ground plane with a low-impedance via pattern. Route the differential A/B pairs as a 100 Ω characteristic-impedance matched pair using either microstrip or stripline geometry, and keep stub lengths to less than 10 mm to avoid reflections at 64 Mbps. For ESD protection to remain effective, avoid placing any signal trace within 2 mm of the bus pins.
The 1/4 unit-load input of the ISL32173EFBZ allows up to 128 receivers on a single RS-485 bus, but cumulative cable capacitance may limit the maximum cable length. For 64 Mbps signalling at 3.3 V, keep cable lengths under 50 m and use twisted pair with characteristic impedance of 100 Ω to ±10%. Terminate the cable at both ends with 120 Ω resistors in parallel with 1 nF capacitors to suppress common-mode noise on long runs.
Do not exceed the -7 V to +12 V common-mode range of the ISL32173EFBZ receiver inputs - sustained over-voltage on the bus pins will permanently damage the part. For installations exposed to lightning-induced surges, add an external TVS diode such as the SMAJ-series or PESD arrays on the A/B lines and a PTC fuse in series with the bus. Also ensure VCC never drops below 3.0 V during power-up, because operation below 3.0 V may cause the fail-safe open-circuit output to mis-trigger.
Compliance Information
Pb-Free finish per Renesas datasheet. RoHS/REACH compliant per manufacturer declaration. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - this is an industrial-grade part, not an automotive part. Halogen-free status not explicitly stated in the verified web data.
