SP3485CN-L - 10Mbps 3.3V RS-485 Transceiver | MaxLinear
MPN: SP3485CN-L ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0.81 | $0.81 |
| 10 | $0.64 | $6.40 |
| 100 | $0.51 | $51.00 |
| 500 | $0.48 | $240.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.45 | $450.00 |
| 3,000 | $0.43 | $1,290.00 |
SP3485CN-L Overview
A transceiver integrates differential driver and receiver functions into one physical interface IC. An RS-485 transceiver converts logic-level TXD and control signals into balanced bus signals, then converts differential bus voltage back into RXD logic. Half-duplex operation means the bus transmits and receives at different times, while an enable or driver-control input determines when the driver is active.
The SP3485 supports the electrical requirements of both RS-422 and RS-485 serial-interface protocols. Its 10,000 kbit/s capability supports industrial control, instrumentation, building automation, and general-purpose serial buses. Low 3.3V operation reduces supply requirements, while the half-duplex architecture limits the number of interface devices required at each node. The manufacturer identifies SP3485 devices as pin-compatible with SP481, SP483, and SP485 families.
In a multidrop network, the transceiver converts the differential bus into a logic-level receiver output at each connected node. Designers must still verify network topology, termination, biasing, cable length, grounding, and protocol timing for the complete system. Bus direction control requires coordination in software or hardware so multiple nodes do not transmit simultaneously.
Typical uses include RS-485 industrial links, RS-422 point-to-point communications, factory equipment, remote sensors, and embedded serial bridges. Its 8-SOIC package supports conventional surface-mount assembly and makes the device practical for compact communication interfaces where a low-voltage transceiver is preferred.
PCB implementation should place the transceiver close to the connector, route the differential pair as a controlled-impedance pair, provide a continuous ground reference, and keep external protection components close to the bus entry. Verify all voltage, temperature, ESD, cable, and termination requirements against the manufacturer datasheet before releasing the production design.
This page consolidates the verified distributor specifications, sourcing links, protocol context, and replacement considerations into one engineering reference while identifying parameters that still require manufacturer-datasheet confirmation.
Drop-in alternatives for SP3485CN-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 SP3485CN-L (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Data Rate, Product Type, RoHS Status, Mounting Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
SP3485EN-L
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.2813 / Unit
View Datasheet →SP3485CN-L/TR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.6143 / Unit
View Datasheet →SP3485EN-L/TR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.2813 / Unit
View Datasheet →SP481
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
SP483
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
SP485
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.97 / Unit
View Datasheet →SP3485CN-L Specifications
| Product Type | RS-422/RS-485 half-duplex line transceiver |
| Number of Drivers | 1 driver |
| Number of Receivers | 1 receiver |
| Duplex Mode | Half-duplex |
| Supported Protocols | RS-422 and RS-485 |
| Data Rate | 10,000 kbit/s |
| Nominal Supply Voltage | 3.3 V |
| Minimum Supply Voltage | 3.135 V |
| Maximum Supply Voltage | 3.465 V |
| Minimum Operating Temperature | 0 C |
| Maximum Operating Temperature | 70 C |
| Package | 8-pin SOIC |
| Package Family | SOIC-8 surface-mount package |
| Mounting Type | Surface mount |
| Pin Compatibility | Pin-to-pin compatible with SP481, SP483, and SP485 devices |
| Function Count | 1/1 transceiver |
| DigiKey Quantity-1 Price | USD 0.81 as of 2026-10-22 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
SP3485CN-L soic-8 surface-mount package Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for SP3485CN-L (soic-8 surface-mount package 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 SP3485CN-L.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
SP3485CN-L is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial RS-485 Control Bus, RS-422 Point-to-Point Link, Factory Equipment Data Interface, Building Automation Network, Remote Sensor and Actuator Link, Embedded Serial Protocol Bridge.
Industrial RS-485 Control Bus
The SP3485CN-L fits a 3.3V industrial control node because it combines one driver and one receiver with support for both RS-485 and RS-422 protocols. Its verified 10,000 kbit/s rate is substantially faster than many low-speed supervisory buses, while the 3.135V-to-3.465V supply range matches a regulated 3.3V rail. Place the transceiver between the controller UART and the balanced bus, then use its direction control to prevent receiver conflicts. The 0C-to-70C rating is appropriate only where the enclosure and all other components remain within commercial temperature limits.
Recommended
RS-422 Point-to-Point Link
The SP3485CN-L can serve as the interface on one end of a short, point-to-point RS-422 connection while remaining compatible with the half-duplex operating model. Its one-driver and one-receiver organization supports conversion between single-ended UART signals and differential bus wiring, while the 10 Mbit/s capability provides substantial link-rate margin. The design still needs proper source and termination arrangements, matched impedance, controlled pair routing, and compatible logic levels. Use the 8-SOIC layout as the basis for a compact RS-422 data link between two circuit boards.
Recommended
Factory Equipment Data Interface
Factory equipment often needs a robust, low-voltage communication port for status, commands, and sensor data. SP3485CN-L provides the physical half-duplex RS-485 layer for a 3.3V embedded controller, accepting UART logic through its driver side and returning bus data through its receiver side. Its 10 Mbit/s maximum allows shorter-distance, higher-rate links where supported by cable and topology. Commission the network with measured termination, common-mode behavior, and ESD protection; the component specification does not by itself guarantee network length at the maximum data rate.
Recommended
Building Automation Network
The SP3485CN-L is appropriate for a 3.3V building-automation controller that exchanges commands over an RS-485 backbone. One transceiver provides both transmission and reception paths, reducing the interface footprint inside an 8-SOIC package. Its verified 10 Mbit/s capability is more than sufficient for many supervisory automation links, while the RS-422-compatible behavior can also support selected point-to-point links. Maintain consistent baud rate, addressing, and timing across nodes, and select termination only where required by the installed cable topology rather than indiscriminately on every node.
Recommended
Remote Sensor and Actuator Link
A remote sensor or actuator node can use SP3485CN-L to join a 3.3V half-duplex RS-485 bus. The receiver reconstructs differential bus signals as logic data, while the driver transmits commands or measurements when the node is granted the bus. The 10 Mbit/s headline rate should not be interpreted as a universal range specification because cable length, topology, transceiver loading, and environmental conditions constrain reliable operation. Add connector-side protection appropriate to the installation, and route the bus as a differential pair over a continuous ground reference.
Recommended
Embedded Serial Protocol Bridge
SP3485CN-L is useful when an embedded controller must bridge a UART to an RS-422 or RS-485 physical network. Its single-driver and single-receiver arrangement fits bidirectional half-duplex communication, and the 3.3V operating range reduces level-conversion complexity in modern systems. Firmware must manage bus direction, avoid collisions, handle receive timeout, and account for echo or transceiver behavior as required by the protocol. At the board level, separate the digital UART region from the connector and protection components while maintaining a short differential route.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for SP3485CN-L — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | SP3485EN-L | SP3485CN-L/TR | SP3485EN-L/TR | SP481 | SP483 | SP485 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 8-SOIC | 8-SOIC | 8-SOIC | 8-SOIC | 8-SOIC | 8-SOIC | 8-SOIC |
| Brand | MaxLinear | MaxLinear | MaxLinear | MaxLinear | MaxLinear | MaxLinear | MaxLinear |
| Product Type | RS-422/RS-485 half-duplex transceiver | RS-422/RS-485 half-duplex transceiver | RS-422/RS-485 half-duplex transceiver | RS-422/RS-485 half-duplex transceiver | Line transceiver | Line transceiver | Line transceiver |
Key Differentiators
- Specified 10,000 kbit/s operation (vs SP481)
- Single 3.3V device supports RS-422 and RS-485 (vs SP483)
- Verified narrow commercial supply specification (vs SP485)
- Same-family ordering option (vs SP3485EN-L)
Design Notes
Route the differential bus as a tightly coupled pair from SP3485CN-L to the connector, with continuous geometry and a nearby ground reference. Keep switching-regulator nodes, high-current return paths, clocks, and memory buses away from the communication traces. Place any termination or bias network only where the selected topology requires it, and terminate cable ends rather than every transceiver node. The verified 10 Mbit/s capability does not establish maximum cable length; edge rate, wire pair, topology, and common-mode limits still govern usable distance.
Treat the RS-485 or RS-422 bus as a balanced differential channel. Use a matched pair with as little impedance discontinuity as possible, and avoid stubs because they can reflect high-speed transitions. If the SP3485CN-L drives unterminated cable at high data rates, measure the bus waveform and tune termination according to the actual topology. Verify common-mode voltage, receiver thresholds, node loading, and logic timing in the assembled board; the component's 10,000 kbit/s headline value is not a substitute for end-to-end channel qualification.
Do not assume that any RS-485 IC with an 8-SOIC package is a direct replacement. Confirm the pin functions, supply limits, direction-control polarity, shutdown behavior, receiver enable, driver loading, and temperature grade against the SP3485CN-L manufacturer datasheet. The verified family material establishes compatibility with SP481, SP483, and SP485 devices, but it does not expose all alternative specifications in the supplied excerpts. Also ensure only one node drives the bus at a time and validate termination rather than fitting it indiscriminately across the network.
Compliance Information
The verified component listing identifies RoHS compliance and lead-free status. No supporting declaration was supplied for REACH, halogen-free status, or conflict-minerals compliance. AEC-Q100 is treated as not applicable because this product is a commercial RS-422/RS-485 interface IC, not an explicitly automotive-qualified device.