SP3232ECY-L - 120kbps 3-5.5V RS-232 | MaxLinear
MPN: SP3232ECY-L ✓ ActiveSP3232ECY-L Overview
An RS-232 transceiver is an interface IC that converts between complementary TTL/CMOS logic levels and bipolar RS-232 signal levels. The SP3232ECY-L combines two transmit channels, two receive channels, and an integrated charge-pump supply in one package. Its charge-pump circuit enables true RS-232 operation from a single low-voltage supply without requiring a separate negative power rail.
The device operates across a 3V to 5.5V supply range and is specified for a 120kbps data rate. The verified specifications identify a 1mA supply current and a commercial operating-temperature range of 0°C to 70°C. Its high-efficiency charge-pump supply requires only 0.1µF capacitors when operating at 3.3V, helping reduce external component count and board area.
The SP3232ECY-L is a full-duplex RS-232 interface solution with two drivers and two receivers. According to the manufacturer datasheet, the device meets true EIA/TIA-232-F standards from a +3.0V to +5.5V power supply. Shutdown behavior and low-power specifications beyond the verified 1mA supply-current figure require confirmation against the complete manufacturer datasheet before a design is finalized.
Typical uses include serial links in notebook and palmtop-class equipment, portable instrumentation, point-of-sale terminals, industrial controllers, and peripheral connectivity. The 120kbps rate is suitable for legacy RS-232 traffic but does not target modern high-speed differential buses such as USB, Ethernet, or isolated CAN.
Designers should use the package pinout and reference layout in the manufacturer datasheet, place charge-pump capacitors close to the device, and observe the maximum package and supply ratings. The exact pin names, absolute maximum ratings, driver output levels, receiver thresholds, shutdown currents, and recommended external network values are not available in the supplied search excerpts and require direct datasheet verification.
This product data consolidates verified pricing, distributor availability, package information, interface characteristics, cross-reference results, and engineering-oriented selection guidance. It also distinguishes true drop-in alternatives from functional equivalents that require a different package or footprint, avoiding unsupported replacement recommendations.
Drop-in alternatives for SP3232ECY-L — 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 SP3232ECY-L (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Mounting Type.
No drop-in alternatives available for this product.
Request AlternativesSP3232ECY-L Specifications
| Device Type | RS-232 transceiver |
| Number of Drivers | 2 |
| Number of Receivers | 2 |
| Duplex Mode | Full duplex |
| Operating Supply Voltage Range | 3V to 5.5V |
| Maximum Data Rate | 120kbps |
| Supply Current | 1mA |
| Operating Temperature Range | 0°C to 70°C |
| Charge-Pump Capacitor Requirement at 3.3V | 0.1µF |
| RS-232 Compliance | True EIA/TIA-232-F |
| Package | 16-TSSOP |
| Mounting Type | SMD |
SP3232ECY-L 16-tssop Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for SP3232ECY-L (16-tssop 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 SP3232ECY-L.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
SP3232ECY-L is suitable for 6 applications: Portable Computer Serial Ports, Industrial Serial Controllers, Point-of-Sale Terminals, Portable Test and Measurement Equipment, Serial-to-Industrial Peripheral Links, Embedded Debug and Configuration Ports.
Portable Computer Serial Ports
The SP3232ECY-L fits legacy serial-port designs in portable and handheld equipment because it operates from a single 3V-to-5.5V supply and supports data rates up to 120kbps. Its integrated charge-pump supply requires only 0.1µF capacitors in 3.3V operation, reducing the external component burden compared with a discrete RS-232 level-shifting approach. The two-driver, two-receiver arrangement supports full-duplex communication. The principal design trade-off is that this is a legacy RS-232 interface rather than USB or a modern differential serial standard, so the host system must still expose an appropriate COM-port or UART interface.
Recommended
Industrial Serial Controllers
The SP3232ECY-L is suitable for industrial controller and data-acquisition equipment that uses an established RS-232 connection at rates up to 120kbps. Its 3V-to-5.5V operating range permits integration with both 3.3V and 5V control systems, while the verified 1mA supply current supports low-power embedded designs. The commercial temperature rating of 0°C to 70°C suits controlled indoor equipment, but it does not cover extended industrial temperature ranges. Engineers should verify the complete datasheet pinout, driver loading, and protection requirements before exposing the interface to noisy factory cabling.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale Terminals
SP3232ECY-L can support the legacy RS-232 link commonly found between point-of-sale peripherals, receipt printers, scanners, and compact terminal hardware. Two drivers and two receivers allow full-duplex communication when the system requires simultaneous command and response paths, while 120kbps is appropriate for conventional transaction traffic. The single 3V-to-5.5V supply simplifies adaptation to embedded systems that cannot generate a negative RS-232 rail. Layout should account for charge-pump noise and provide stable ground return, while cable protection must be added if the port will face uncontrolled external connections.
Recommended
Portable Test and Measurement Equipment
The SP3232ECY-L is appropriate for portable test and measurement instruments that communicate with a host or service computer through an RS-232 port. Its 3V-to-5.5V range supports compact battery-powered systems, the 1mA supply current reduces the burden on portable power budgets, and the 120kbps rate accommodates many configuration and measurement-data protocols. Because the device is a transceiver rather than a complete UART, a system controller still provides framing and baud-rate control. Designers should verify logic levels, connector pin assignments, cable length, and driver-load limits from the complete manufacturer datasheet.
Recommended
Serial-to-Industrial Peripheral Links
SP3232ECY-L can serve as the RS-232 interface between a controller and a peripheral that retains a legacy serial connector, such as older test equipment, configuration tools, or service interfaces. The 120kbps maximum data rate is adequate for command-oriented links but not for continuous high-bandwidth transfers. Its two-channel implementation can support separate transmit and receive paths, and the compact 16-TSSOP package assists space-constrained designs. The key engineering limitation is cable-related ESD and surge exposure, which is not quantified in the supplied excerpts; apply the protection strategy required by the final enclosure and connection environment.
Recommended
Embedded Debug and Configuration Ports
The SP3232ECY-L is useful in embedded boards that retain an RS-232 configuration or debug header while the main processor communicates through TTL/CMOS UART signals. The integrated level translation allows the board's 3.3V or 5V logic domain to connect to true RS-232 equipment through two transmit and two receive channels. Its 120kbps capability matches common bootloader and diagnostic baud rates, while the 1mA supply figure minimizes regulator load. The physical connector still needs appropriate signal and ground mapping, and firmware must configure the UART with matching framing, parity, and baud settings.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for SP3232ECY-L — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product |
|---|---|
| Package | 16-TSSOP |
| Brand | MaxLinear, Inc. |
| Device Type | RS-232 transceiver |
| Operating Supply Voltage Range | 3V to 5.5V |
| Maximum Data Rate | 120kbps |
| Supply Current | 1mA |
| Number of Drivers | 2 |
| Number of Receivers | 2 |
| Operating Temperature Range | 0°C to 70°C |
| Charge-Pump Capacitor Requirement at 3.3V | 0.1µF |
Key Differentiators
- Single-supply true RS-232 operation (vs MAX3232ECAE+)
- Compact external charge-pump requirement (vs SP3232ECA-L)
- Explicit 120kbps verified data rate (vs SP232ECT-L)
- Documented commercial temperature coverage (vs MAX3232ECAE+)
Design Notes
Place the charge-pump capacitors close to their designated pins and minimize loop area to reduce coupling into adjacent communication lines. The manufacturer datasheet specifies 0.1µF capacitors for 3.3V operation; use the exact capacitor type, tolerance, voltage rating, and layout shown in that datasheet. Keep the supply bypass path short and place ground-return connections near the interface circuitry because long shared returns can degrade receiver noise margin.
Route the RS-232 driver and receiver nets as a matched, impedance-conscious interface group even though their data rate is only 120kbps. Maintain consistent ground reference through the cable and connector, avoid sharing narrow ground paths with switching regulators or motors, and separate the charge-pump section from sensitive receiver inputs. Do not infer connector pinout from the IC pin numbers; cross-reference the complete manufacturer pin table and the chosen cable standard.
Do not treat the listed MAX3232EC cross-references as board-compatible without checking package drawings and pin assignments. A functional equivalent can have the same electrical role while using a different package or pinout. Similarly, SP3232ECY-L/TR is the tape-and-reel ordering form of the target rather than an independent alternative. Verify maximum supply voltage, output loading, receiver thresholds, shutdown behavior, temperature range, and exposed-pad requirements before approving a substitution.
The integrated charge pump can introduce periodic switching energy even though the device provides a clean RS-232 interface. Keep charge-pump routing compact, provide a low-impedance bypass path, and observe any keep-out or grounding guidance in the manufacturer layout example. If the board combines this interface with sensitive analog or high-speed digital circuitry, test radiated and conducted emissions across the complete product configuration rather than relying only on chip-level measurements.
Compliance Information
The supplied verified search results do not provide an explicit manufacturer compliance declaration for RoHS, REACH, lead-free status, halogen-free status, or conflict minerals. The commercial 0°C-to-70°C rating indicates that AEC-Q100 automotive qualification is not applicable to this ordering variant, but it is not an automotive-qualified replacement.
