SP490ECN-L - 10Mbps Full-Duplex RS-485 | MaxLinear
MPN: SP490ECN-L ✓ ActiveSP490ECN-L Overview
A differential line transceiver is an interface IC that converts logic-level signals into balanced differential transmissions and reconstructs digital data from differential receiver inputs. In the system hierarchy, it is an interface transceiver within RS-485 and RS-422 interface ICs. The full-duplex arrangement supports simultaneous transmission and reception, making it appropriate for point-to-point links where separate differential pairs are available.
The SP490E family's principal features include operation up to 10Mbps, ±200mV receiver sensitivity, and operation from a 4.75V to 5.25V supply. The SP490ECN-L commercial-temperature ordering information identifies a 0°C to 70°C operating range. The 8-pin SOIC package supports conventional surface-mount assembly, while the low-power BiCMOS implementation is intended for low-power communications equipment.
The receiver threshold and common-mode capability are central to its industrial usefulness. A ±200mV receiver sensitivity permits small differential signals to be recognized reliably, while the wide common-mode range helps the receiver tolerate voltage offsets between connected systems. The manufacturer datasheet also identifies the SP490 as compatible with the related SP491 family and indicates pin compatibility with the LTC490 for the SP490E family, enabling controlled design comparisons.
Typical uses include full-duplex industrial RS-485 links, RS-422 point-to-point communications, factory equipment interfaces, data-acquisition equipment, and instrumentation systems. The 10Mbps capability supports higher-rate factory-bus traffic, while full duplex permits simultaneous bidirectional communication when the system provides both transmit and receive differential pairs.
The primary design consideration is to maintain the transceiver's supply and bus requirements exactly as specified in the manufacturer datasheet. Layout should keep the driver and receiver connections associated with their intended differential pairs, provide a low-impedance supply path, and provide the bypassing required by the device data sheet. Bus termination, protection, and grounding must be selected for the cable length and environment rather than inferred solely from the 10Mbps headline rate.
This page combines manufacturer specifications, distributor availability, verified cross-reference findings, package details, and engineering-oriented selection guidance. It also distinguishes true pin-compatible choices from related SP490E variants and identifies where additional design verification is still required before substitution.
Drop-in alternatives for SP490ECN-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 SP490ECN-L (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Product Type, Duplex Mode, Lead-Free Status, Maximum Data Rate, Receiver Input Sensitivity.
SP490EEN
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
SP490CN-L/TR
✅ Drop-InContact for price
View Datasheet →SP491ECP-L
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
SP485ECN-L
✅ Drop-InContact for price
View Datasheet →LTC490
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
SP490ECN-L Specifications
| Product Type | Full-duplex differential line transceiver |
| Supported Standards | RS-485 and RS-422 |
| Maximum Data Rate | 10Mbps |
| Supply Voltage Range | 4.75V to 5.25V |
| Receiver Input Sensitivity | ±200mV |
| Transmitter and Receiver Count | 1 transmitter and 1 receiver |
| Duplex Mode | Full duplex |
| Bus Transceivers on Bus | 32 |
| Operating Temperature Range | 0°C to 70°C |
| Package | 8-pin SOIC |
| Mounting Type | Surface mount |
| Technology | Low-power BiCMOS |
| Quiescent Current | 900µA |
| ESD Specifications | Improved ESD specifications |
| RoHS Compliance | Compliant |
| Lead-Free Status | Lead free |
SP490ECN-L Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RO — Receiver output |
| Pin 2 | RE — Receiver enable input |
| Pin 3 | DE — Driver enable input |
| Pin 4 | DI — Driver data input |
| Pin 5 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 6 | A — Non-inverting driver output |
| Pin 7 | B — Inverting driver output |
| Pin 8 | VCC — Positive supply input |
Typical Applications
SP490ECN-L is suitable for 6 applications: Full-Duplex Industrial RS-485 Links, RS-422 Point-to-Point Instrumentation, Factory Data-Acquisition Networks, Building and Security Equipment, Telecommunications and Network Equipment, Test and Measurement Systems.
Full-Duplex Industrial RS-485 Links
The SP490ECN-L fits point-to-point industrial links that need simultaneous transmission and reception on separate differential pairs. Its verified 10Mbps capability provides useful rate margin for factory-floor controllers, and the ±200mV receiver sensitivity supports recognition of small differential signals. The device operates from 4.75V to 5.25V, so it requires a regulated 5V rail. Compared with a half-duplex transceiver, full-duplex operation removes bus contention during transmit intervals, but the design must route separate driver and receiver pairs and account for cable skew between them.
Recommended
RS-422 Point-to-Point Instrumentation
The SP490ECN-L is appropriate for RS-422 point-to-point instrumentation because it provides a differential driver, differential receiver, and full-duplex capability at up to 10Mbps. Balanced signaling reduces sensitivity to common-mode interference compared with single-ended interfaces, while the specified ±200mV input sensitivity provides a defined receive threshold. Use the 4.75V to 5.25V supply range as the design constraint and verify receiver enable behavior during reset to prevent unwanted bus activity.
Recommended
Factory Data-Acquisition Networks
The SP490ECN-L can connect a data-acquisition controller to remote sensors or machine nodes when the link requires continuous two-way communication. The 10Mbps rating supports faster factory protocols, and the low-power BiCMOS implementation is useful in multi-channel systems where power density matters. Its commercial 0°C to 70°C ordering grade limits use in extended-temperature environments. Designers should budget for proper differential routing, connector surge protection, and termination appropriate to the selected RS-422 or RS-485 network topology.
Recommended
Building and Security Equipment
The SP490ECN-L suits building-control or security equipment that transfers commands and status over a balanced cable. Full-duplex RS-422 operation can keep upstream control traffic separate from downstream sensor reporting, while RS-485 compatibility supports point-to-multipoint designs when the wiring topology is appropriate. The transceiver's 10Mbps capability is well above many building-control rates and provides margin. The 0°C to 70°C SP490ECN-L variant is appropriate only where enclosure temperatures remain within that commercial range.
Recommended
Telecommunications and Network Equipment
The SP490ECN-L can provide a balanced external interface in telecom and network equipment that already includes a suitable 5V supply and host controller. Its 10Mbps operation is suitable for moderate-rate management, status, or auxiliary communication channels, while the differential receiver tolerance helps reject common-mode noise coupled from power or switching systems. Design engineers must preserve the required supply decoupling and provide protection against connector transients. The device does not replace a network PHY; it is a lower-level RS-485/RS-422 physical-layer interface.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Systems
The SP490ECN-L is useful in test and measurement systems that distribute commands and collect results over balanced cables. Full-duplex operation can reduce turnaround delays compared with shared-bus half-duplex communication, and the 10Mbps rate supports high-volume instrument traffic. The interface still requires careful grounding and cable-length analysis to maintain reliable behavior in laboratory environments. Because the verified SP490ECN-L ordering code is rated from 0°C to 70°C, an extended-temperature ordering variant should be selected for hot industrial test chambers.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for SP490ECN-L — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | SP490EEN | SP490CN-L/TR | SP491ECP-L | SP485ECN-L | LTC490 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | MaxLinear | MaxLinear | MaxLinear | MaxLinear | MaxLinear | Linear Technology |
| Package | 8-pin SOIC | 8-pin SOIC | 8-pin SOIC | 8-pin SOIC | 8-pin SOIC | 8-pin SOIC |
| Product Type | Full-duplex RS-485/RS-422 transceiver | SP490E differential driver/receiver | SP490-family differential transceiver | RS-485/RS-422 transceiver with tri-state enables | Half-duplex RS-485 transceiver | Low-power differential RS-485/RS-422 transceiver |
| Duplex Mode | Full duplex | Full duplex | Full duplex | Full duplex | Half duplex | Full duplex |
| Transmitter and Receiver Count | 1 transmitter and 1 receiver | 1 transmitter and 1 receiver | 1 transmitter and 1 receiver | 1 transmitter and 1 receiver | 1 transmitter and 1 receiver | 1 transmitter and 1 receiver |
Key Differentiators
- Full-duplex operation without shared-bus contention (vs SP485ECN-L)
- Separate tri-state control available in the related family (vs SP491ECP-L)
- Verified cross-brand pin compatibility (vs LTC490)
- Commercial-temperature ordering option (vs SP490EEN)
Design Notes
Route the SP490ECN-L differential driver and receiver nets as impedance-controlled pairs with continuous reference planes and minimal stubs. Keep the driver outputs and receiver inputs away from switching nodes and unrelated high-current paths. For full-duplex operation, maintain the intended pairing of A and B on both the transmit and receive sides; reversing only one pair changes the logic polarity and can prevent reliable communication.
Provide a low-impedance 5V supply within the specified 4.75V to 5.25V range and place the bypass capacitors required by the manufacturer datasheet close to the VCC and GND pins. Estimated supply-current behavior depends on the enabled driver, receive state, and data activity, so verify worst-case demand in the final system rather than assuming the listed 900µA applies to every operating condition.
Do not assume that an 8-pin SOIC footprint alone proves drop-in compatibility. The SP491E adds separate tri-state enable lines, while the SP485 family changes the duplex architecture; enable polarity, shutdown behavior, bus-idle state, and receiver output timing can affect an existing PCB. The manufacturer identifies SP490E as pin compatible with LTC490, but the exact package suffix and electrical limits must still be compared before substitution.
Terminate the selected RS-422 or RS-485 network according to its physical topology rather than placing termination on every differential pair indiscriminately. Use appropriate common-mode protection at exposed connectors and maintain a coherent ground strategy between grounded systems. These measures reduce reflections and connector-induced surges that can corrupt data even when the transceiver itself operates below its 10Mbps maximum rate.
Compliance Information
The verified datasheet listing identifies SP490ECN-L as RoHS compliant and lead free. No verified Reach, halogen-free, conflict-minerals, or AEC-Q100 information was supplied.