MAX3232ESE+TG035 - 2x2 RS-232 Transceiver, 3-5.5V | Maxim
MPN: MAX3232ESE+TG035 β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.21 | $4.21 |
| 10 | $3.86 | $38.60 |
| 100 | $3.51 | $351.00 |
| 500 | $3.16 | $1,580.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.98 | $2,980.00 |
MAX3232ESE+TG035 Overview
An RS-232 transceiver is an interface IC that converts TTL/CMOS logic levels (typically 0-5V or 0-3.3V) into the RS-232 voltage convention (nominally +/-5V to +/-15V) and back, allowing microcontrollers to communicate with legacy serial ports, modems, and industrial equipment. Within the signal-chain hierarchy it belongs to interface ICs -> drivers/receivers/transceivers -> line transceivers, sitting between the UART logic pin of a processor and the physical DB-9 serial connector.
Key features include the wide 3.0V to 5.5V single-supply range that supports both 3.3V and 5V systems, guaranteed 250kbps operation with 3V/1uF load and up to 1Mbps minimum data rate under standard conditions, and the proprietary charge-pump architecture requiring only four 0.1uF external capacitors instead of the large 5uF capacitors of older generation devices.
Technically, the device integrates dual charge pumps with cascaded voltage doublers and inverters to generate +5.5V and -5.5V rails internally from the logic supply. The E-suffix grade is specified for -40C to +85C operation. The drivers meet or exceed EIA/TIA-232 and V.28 requirements, and the receivers feature a 0.5V input threshold with 5V-tolerant operation and schmitt-trigger hysteresis for noise immunity.
Typical applications include industrial fieldbus adapters, point-of-sale terminals, battery-powered instrumentation with DB-9 debug ports, and legacy PC serial maintenance interfaces. The TG035 suffix identifies the tape-and-reel packaging variant for automated pick-and-place assembly.
Design consideration: use 0.1uF charge-pump capacitors rated at 16V or higher and place them close to the IC pins; larger capacitors (1uF) are only needed when running near the 1Mbps rate at 3.3V.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for MAX3232ESE+TG035 β same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MAX3222ESE+
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MAX232
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
SP3232EEN-L/TR
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MAX3232ESE+TG035 Specifications
| Function | RS-232 Transceiver (2 drivers, 2 receivers) |
| Supply Voltage Range | 3.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Data Rate | Up to 1 Mbps |
| External Capacitors | 4 x 0.1 uF |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (E grade) |
| Package | 16-pin SOIC (N) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Packaging Variant | TG035 (tape and reel, 3.5 inch reel) |
| Protocol Standard | EIA/TIA-232, V.28 |
| Duplex | Full duplex |
| Base Part Number | MAX323 |
| Series | MAX3232 |
| Package Width | 0.15 inch (3.9 mm), narrow SOIC |
MAX3232ESE+TG035 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | C1+ β Charge-pump capacitor 1 positive terminal |
| Pin 2 | V+ β Positive charge-pump output, connect 0.1uF to GND |
| Pin 3 | C1- β Charge-pump capacitor 1 negative terminal |
| Pin 4 | C2+ β Charge-pump capacitor 2 positive terminal |
| Pin 5 | C2- β Charge-pump capacitor 2 negative terminal |
| Pin 6 | V- β Negative charge-pump output, connect 0.1uF to GND |
| Pin 7 | T2OUT β RS-232 driver 2 output |
| Pin 8 | R2IN β RS-232 receiver 2 input |
| Pin 9 | R2OUT β TTL/CMOS receiver 2 output |
| Pin 10 | T2IN β TTL/CMOS driver 2 input |
| Pin 11 | T1IN β TTL/CMOS driver 1 input |
| Pin 12 | R1OUT β TTL/CMOS receiver 1 output |
| Pin 13 | R1IN β RS-232 receiver 1 input |
| Pin 14 | T1OUT β RS-232 driver 1 output |
| Pin 15 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 16 | VCC β Power supply, 3.0V to 5.5V |
Typical Applications
MAX3232ESE+TG035 is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Serial Equipment & Fieldbus Adapters, Battery-Powered Portable Instruments, Point-of-Sale and Retail Terminals, Legacy PC / MCU Debug Serial Ports, Medical and Laboratory Instrumentation, Networking and Telecom Equipment.
Industrial Serial Equipment & Fieldbus Adapters
The MAX3232ESE+TG035 fits industrial serial links because it tolerates the full 3.0V to 5.5V industrial supply range and operates from -40C to +85C (E grade), covering most factory-floor temperature requirements. Its 2-driver/2-receiver configuration supports both a commissioning console and a PLC data channel on one chip. Placed between the MCU UART and the RS-232 port, it generates compliant +/-5V-level swings from the internal charge pump, so no negative rail is needed. Designers should note that guaranteed data rate at low supply is 250kbps, well above typical Modbus rates of 9600 to 115200 baud, leaving ample timing margin.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Portable Instruments
Battery instruments benefit from the MAX3232ESE+TG035 low-power charge-pump design, which draws modest current from a single 3.0V to 5.5V rail and requires only four 0.1uF ceramic capacitors, saving board area versus older 1uF-capacitor transceivers. In a handheld meter with a 3.3V MCU, the device connects the UART to a DB-9 service port for calibration and firmware upload. Because RS-232 line loading increases supply current, keep cable lengths short and consider a MAX3222 (shutdown) variant if the port must be disabled to conserve battery. The TG035 tape-and-reel format suits medium-volume automated assembly of portable products.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale and Retail Terminals
POS terminals, receipt printers, and payment peripherals frequently expose RS-232 ports for legacy accessory interoperability. The MAX3232ESE+TG035 bridges a 3.3V or 5V embedded controller to these ports, meeting EIA/TIA-232 and V.28 signaling levels with its integrated charge pump. Its dual transceiver channels accommodate both a printer port and a barcode-scanner port from one SOIC-16 device, reducing component count. Typical retail baud rates (9600 to 115200) run far below the 1Mbps capability, giving robust timing margin over cable lengths of several meters. The 0.1uF capacitor requirement also lowers BOM cost across high-volume retail hardware builds.
Recommended
Legacy PC / MCU Debug Serial Ports
Development boards and network appliances often include a DB-9 serial console for out-of-band debugging. The MAX3232ESE+TG035 converts 3.3V UART logic to true RS-232 levels, and its receiver input threshold of approximately 0.5V with hysteresis cleanly regenerates noisy terminal output. Since console traffic is low-rate, the chip spends most time idle, keeping dissipation negligible in a 16-pin SOIC. Engineers commonly pair it with a USB-to-UART bridge for dual access paths. Place the four 0.1uF charge-pump capacitors close to pins C1+, C1-, C2+, C2-, V+ and V- to avoid charge-pump ripple coupling into nearby logic.
Recommended
Medical and Laboratory Instrumentation
Bench instruments such as infusion pumps, analyzers, and lab power supplies still ship with RS-232 interfaces for host integration. The MAX3232ESE+TG035 operates from -40C to +85C and from a single 3.0V to 5.5V supply, matching common instrument microcontroller rails while providing standards-compliant EIA/TIA-232 levels to the external connector. The four-0.1uF charge-pump design produces low switching energy, and careful capacitor placement keeps residual ripple below receiver hysteresis thresholds. At communication rates of 19200 to 115200 baud typical of lab protocols, the 250kbps guaranteed rate provides a comfortable safety factor for cable-dependent links.
Recommended
Networking and Telecom Equipment
Routers, switches, and telecom shelf controllers use RS-232 craft ports for field configuration. The MAX3232ESE+TG035 fits this role: its 3.0V to 5.5V input range matches both legacy 5V control planes and modern 3.3V logic, and the SOIC-16 narrow body integrates into dense line-card layouts. Up to 1Mbps data-rate capability covers faster proprietary serial backhaul between shelf controllers and peripherals. On telecom boards, the E-grade -40C to +85C rating supports unventilated enclosures, and the T/R (TG035) packaging suits high-volume contract manufacturing. Keep RS-232 traces short and referenced to ground to limit EMI from the +/-5V driver swings.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MAX3232ESE+TG035 β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MAX3222ESE+ | MAX232 | SP3232EEN-L/TR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 16-pin SOIC (N) | 16-pin SOIC (N) - same | 16-pin SOIC (N) - same | 16-pin SOIC (N) - same |
| Brand | Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated | Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated | Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated | MaxLinear |
| Supply Voltage Range | 3.0 V to 5.5 V | 3.0 V to 5.5 V | 5 V only | 3.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Data Rate | Up to 1 Mbps | Up to 1 Mbps | Up to 120 kbps | Up to 1 Mbps |
| Drivers / Receivers | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 |
| External Charge-Pump Capacitors | 4 x 0.1 uF | 4 x 0.1 uF | Larger (1 uF - 10 uF) caps | 4 x 0.1 uF |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | 0C to +70C (commercial grades) | -40C to +85C |
Key Differentiators
- Wide 3.0V to 5.5V supply range (vs MAX232)
- Only four 0.1uF external capacitors (vs MAX232)
- Up to 1Mbps data rate (vs MAX232)
- Shutdown-free simplicity vs MAX3222 (vs MAX3222ESE+)
Design Notes
Place the four charge-pump capacitors (C1 between pins 1-3, C2 between pins 4-5, and 0.1uF bypass caps on V+ pin 2 and V- pin 6) within a few millimeters of the SOIC-16 body with short, wide traces and a solid ground return. Long or thin charge-pump traces add series inductance that reduces pump output and increases ripple. Use X7R dielectric rated at 16V or higher; avoid Y5V, whose capacitance collapses under bias.
At a 3.3V supply the device is specified to guarantee 250kbps operation with 3V/1uF loads; near the 1Mbps ceiling, consider raising the supply toward 5V and/or increasing capacitor size to 0.47uF-1uF to keep charge-pump rails stiff under long cable loading. The internal V+ and V- rails are approximately +/-5.5V open-circuit; driver output swing under load determines actual line levels, so heavy cabling directly increases supply current.
The TG035 suffix is a factory packaging/reel-code option - verify reel quantity and moisture-sensitivity handling before automated assembly; MSL data should be confirmed from the latest ADI packing documentation. Also, when substituting a MAX232 for the MAX3232ESE+TG035, remember the MAX232 is 5V-only and needs larger capacitors, so the substitution fails on 3.3V boards despite pin compatibility.
Keep the RS-232 side (TOUT/RIN, pins 7, 8, 13, 14) routed away from high-speed clocks and switching-regulator nodes. Receiver inputs include hysteresis, but severe capacitive or EMI coupling on long cables can still corrupt data; a series 100 ohm-1k ohm resistor on RIN and TVS protection at the connector is common practice on externally accessible ports.
Compliance Information
Compliance status not stated in the provided web data; verify RoHS/REACH status on the official Analog Devices product page or distributor compliance certificates.
