SP3222EBEY-L/TR - 3V-5.5V RS-232 2-DRV/2-RCV Transceiver | MaxLinear
MPN: SP3222EBEY-L/TR ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.95 | $1.95 |
| 10 | $1.72 | $17.20 |
| 100 | $1.45 | $145.00 |
| 500 | $1.21 | $605.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.04 | $1,040.00 |
| 2,500 | $0.92 | $2,300.00 |
SP3222EBEY-L/TR Overview
An RS-232 transceiver is a line driver/receiver IC that translates between logic-level (TTL/CMOS) signals on a UART and the +/-5V to +/-15V bipolar swing required by the legacy RS-232 standard. Within the broader component hierarchy, RS-232 transceivers sit under interface ICs, which themselves belong to the integrated circuits family used for board-level data communication. These parts remain essential for industrial equipment, point-of-sale terminals, and legacy peripherals that still expose the DB-9 or RJ-style RS-232 port.
Key features include a 1 µA low-power shutdown mode with receivers kept active (SP3222EB), ESD protection of +/-15 kV Human-Body Model on the RS-232 bus pins, and interoperability with industry-standard RS-232 controllers. The 2-driver/2-receiver topology covers full-duplex DCE/DTE links, including hardware handshaking when both pairs are routed to RTS/CTS and DTR/DSR. The TSSOP-20 footprint and 4.40 mm body width suit compact portable designs such as laptop docking stations, hand-held terminals, and embedded serial ports on single-board computers.
Internally, the SP3222EB uses a regulated charge-pump doubler/inverter that generates the required +5.5V and -5.5V drivers from a single 3.0V to 5.5V supply, eliminating the historical need for a +/-12V rail. Receivers operate from the main 3.3V supply and accept true RS-232 levels regardless of VCC, making the part interoperable with any compliant RS-232 peer.
Typical applications include notebook and palmtop computers, industrial PLC programming ports, point-of-sale terminals, embedded serial debug headers, and any portable equipment that needs a compact, single-supply RS-232 link. Compared with larger 5V-only legacy parts, the SP3222EB cuts capacitor count and PCB area by roughly half while preserving the 250 kbps throughput engineers expect from the EIA/TIA-232-F standard.
When designing with this device, place the four 0.1 µF charge-pump capacitors as close to C1+/C1-/C2+/C2- as routing allows and keep the switched-capacitor traces short to limit radiated emissions. If a true RS-232 voltage swing is required at low VCC, confirm that the charge-pump regulator remains stable across the entire 3.0V to 5.5V input range.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone, giving buyers and design engineers a single reference for sourcing and applying the SP3222EBEY-L/TR.
Drop-in alternatives for SP3222EBEY-L/TR — 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:
SP3222ECY-L/TR
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
SP3232ECT-L/TR
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
TRS3222EIPWR
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MAX3222EIPWR
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ST3222ECTR
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
SP3222EBEY-L/TR Specifications
| Function | RS-232 Transceiver (2 drivers / 2 receivers) |
| Protocol | RS-232 (EIA/TIA-232-F compliant) |
| Supply Voltage (VCC) | 3.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Data Rate | 250 kbps (under load) |
| Number of Drivers | 2 |
| Number of Receivers | 2 |
| Low-Power Shutdown Current | 1 µA (receivers active, SP3222EB) |
| Charge Pump Capacitors | 4 x 0.1 µF (3.3V operation) |
| Package | 20-TSSOP (Y), 4.40 mm body width |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel (TR) |
| Halogen Free | Yes (per Future Electronics listing) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
SP3222EBEY-L/TR Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | C1+ — Charge-pump flying capacitor positive terminal |
| Pin 2 | V+ — Charge-pump generated +5.5V supply |
| Pin 3 | C1- — Charge-pump flying capacitor negative terminal |
| Pin 4 | C2+ — Charge-pump flying capacitor positive terminal |
| Pin 5 | C2- — Charge-pump flying capacitor negative terminal |
| Pin 6 | V- — Charge-pump generated -5.5V supply |
| Pin 7 | T1OUT — RS-232 driver 1 output |
| Pin 8 | T2OUT — RS-232 driver 2 output |
| Pin 9 | R1IN — RS-232 receiver 1 input |
| Pin 10 | R2IN — RS-232 receiver 2 input |
| Pin 11 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 12 | VCC — 3.0V to 5.5V supply input |
| Pin 13 | SHDN — Shutdown control (active low on SP3222EB) |
| Pin 14 | T1IN — TTL/CMOS driver 1 input |
| Pin 15 | T2IN — TTL/CMOS driver 2 input |
| Pin 16 | R1OUT — TTL/CMOS receiver 1 output |
| Pin 17 | R2OUT — TTL/CMOS receiver 2 output |
| Pin 18 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 19 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 20 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
SP3222EBEY-L/TR is suitable for 6 applications: Notebook & Palmtop Serial Ports, Industrial PLC Programming & Debug Ports, Point-of-Sale (POS) Terminals, Embedded Single-Board Computer Debug Headers, Medical Device Service Ports, Networking Equipment Console Ports.
Notebook & Palmtop Serial Ports
The SP3222EBEY-L/TR is purpose-built for portable computing serial ports where a single 3.3V supply must deliver true EIA/TIA-232-F +/-5V swings. With 250 kbps data rate, 2 drivers, and 2 receivers, it covers full hardware-handshake DB-9 links from a laptop or palmtop without needing a bipolar rail. The 1 µA shutdown with active receivers lets a sleeping host wake on incoming characters, extending battery life in suspend mode. Charge-pump capacitors are only 0.1 µF, so the entire transceiver fits in roughly half the PCB area of legacy 5V-only RS-232 parts.
Recommended
Industrial PLC Programming & Debug Ports
The SP3222EBEY-L/TR serves as the RS-232 transceiver on industrial PLCs, HMI panels, and motor-drive debug headers that need a single-supply 3.3V or 5V link. Its 250 kbps rate and 2/2 driver/receiver topology support full hardware handshaking (RTS/CTS, DTR/DSR), which legacy PLC firmware still expects. The 20-TSSOP body (4.40 mm wide) and tape-and-reel packaging suit automated SMT lines, while +/-15 kV HBM ESD on the bus pins protects against field-service technician surges and cable-charging transients.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale (POS) Terminals
POS terminals, receipt printers, and barcode scanners often retain RS-232 for cash-drawer kick-out, legacy scale interfaces, and firmware-update cables. The SP3222EBEY-L/TR delivers compliant RS-232 levels from a single 3.3V rail, fits the compact mainboards typical of POS hardware, and offers 1 µA shutdown current to extend standby time between customer transactions. Its 20-TSSOP footprint is interchangeable with the TI TRS3222E and MAX3222E, simplifying dual-sourcing for high-volume POS OEMs.
Recommended
Embedded Single-Board Computer Debug Headers
Many Raspberry-Pi-class and industrial SBC designs expose a 3-pin TTL header plus a full RS-232 DB-9 for legacy peripherals. The SP3222EBEY-L/TR provides the RS-232 side from the same 3.3V rail that powers the SBC SoC, eliminating any need for an external +/-12V converter. Its 250 kbps ceiling is well above typical terminal-baud rates (115200), and the small TSSOP-20 footprint preserves board real estate for SoC, memory, and Ethernet PHYs on compact SBC layouts.
Recommended
Medical Device Service Ports
Patient monitors, infusion pumps, and diagnostic instruments often retain RS-232 service ports for biomed technicians to pull logs, run calibrations, and push firmware updates. The SP3222EBEY-L/TR's +/-15 kV HBM ESD protection on the bus pins and full EIA/TIA-232-F compliance provide a robust service interface that survives repeated cable insertions. Single 3.3V operation simplifies medical-device power trees that already have an isolated 3.3V rail for the host MCU, reducing isolation-stage complexity.
Recommended
Networking Equipment Console Ports
Routers, switches, and base stations traditionally expose an RJ-45 RS-232 console port for out-of-band management. The SP3222EBEY-L/TR delivers true RS-232 swings from the same 3.3V supply that powers the switch ASIC and PHY, supporting 115200 to 250 kbps console baud rates that network-operators use to recover misconfigured gear. The 2/2 topology is sufficient for TxD/RxD plus RTS/CTS hardware flow control that Cisco-style console servers expect, and the 20-TSSOP footprint suits dense multi-port line cards.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for SP3222EBEY-L/TR — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | SP3222ECY-L/TR | SP3232ECT-L/TR | TRS3222EIPWR | MAX3222EIPWR | ST3222ECTR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 20-TSSOP (Y) | 20-TSSOP (Y) - same | 20-TSSOP (Y) - same | 20-TSSOP (PW) - same | 20-TSSOP (PW) - same | 20-TSSOP - same |
| Brand | MaxLinear | MaxLinear (same brand) | MaxLinear (same brand) | Texas Instruments (cross-brand) | Texas Instruments (cross-brand) | STMicroelectronics (cross-brand) |
| 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 V to 5.5 V | 3.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Data Rate | 250 kbps | 250 kbps | 250 kbps | 250 kbps | 250 kbps | 250 kbps |
| Drivers / Receivers | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 | 3 / 2 (extra driver) | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 |
| Low-Power Shutdown | Yes (1 µA, receivers active) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Charge-Pump Caps | 4 x 0.1 µF | 4 x 0.1 µF | 4 x 0.1 µF | 4 x 0.1 µF | 4 x 0.1 µF | 4 x 0.1 µF |
Key Differentiators
- Single-supply 3.0V to 5.5V operation with four 0.1 µF charge-pump caps (vs Legacy 5V-only RS-232 parts requiring 1 µF capacitors and bipolar rails)
- 1 µA low-power shutdown with receivers active (vs SP3222B (non-EB) variants without shutdown)
- Pin-compatible cross-brand drop-in alternatives (TI, ST, MaxLinear) (vs Single-source SP3222EB family only)
Design Notes
Place the four 0.1 µF charge-pump capacitors (C1+, C1-, C2+, C2-) within 2-3 mm of their respective pins to minimize parasitic inductance. Use X7R ceramic capacitors rated for at least 16V to handle the switched +5.5V/-5.5V rails. Keep charge-pump traces short and away from sensitive analog traces because the 250 kHz pump oscillator can couple noise into nearby signal paths.
Estimated: at VCC=3.3V and idle no-load conditions, the SP3222EBEY-L/TR draws roughly 1 mA quiescent current; in shutdown it drops to 1 µA. Decouple VCC with a 0.1 µF ceramic close to pin 12 plus a bulk 1 µF tantalum or ceramic at the IC supply entry point. If the host powers down the RS-232 link, drive SHDN low before VCC falls below 3.0V to avoid charge-pump latch-up.
Do not confuse the SP3222EB (2/2, 20-pin) with the SP3232EB (3/5, 28-pin) - the latter has more drivers/receivers but a different pinout. When migrating between EB and EC grades, verify that the SHDN polarity matches your MCU firmware: EB uses active-low SHDN. RS-232 receivers stay active in shutdown on the EB variant, so external ESD or surge events can still reach the host UART unless the link is power-cycled.
Route the RS-232 driver outputs (T1OUT, T2OUT) and receiver inputs (R1IN, R2IN) to the DB-9 connector with controlled 100-ohm differential-style traces and a ground return path. Add TVS diodes such as PESD5V0L1BA or SMBJ5.0CA at the connector for surge protection beyond the internal +/-15 kV HBM ESD. Keep the connector-side ground stitch short to the chassis ground to divert cable discharge events.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant and halogen-free per Future Electronics listing and MaxLinear product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified (consumer/industrial grade). Conflict-minerals compliance per MaxLinear corporate policy.
