Intersil ICL3232CBNZ RS-232 Transceiver IC, SOIC16

The Intersil ICL3232CBNZ is a high-performance, low-power RS-232 transmitter/receiver integrated circuit (IC). It is engineered to meet the established EIA/TIA-232 and V.28/V.24 communication specifications, making it a reliable and compliant choice for serial data interfacing.

A key advantage of this IC is its exceptional power efficiency. It features on-chip charge pumps and sophisticated power management, including manual and automatic power-down functions. These technologies work together to slash the standby supply current to a mere 1µA, which is critical for battery-powered and energy-conscious applications. The automatic power-down function is particularly smart; it deactivates the on-chip power supply and driver circuits when it detects that an attached peripheral is turned off or the RS-232 cable has been disconnected. This conserves system power seamlessly without requiring any hardware or software changes. The device automatically powers back up when a valid RS-232 signal is applied to any receiver input.

Beyond low power consumption, the ICL3232CBNZ is designed for robust performance and design convenience. It guarantees data rates greater than 250kbps even under worst-case load conditions and offers a minimum slew rate of 6V/µs for signal integrity. Its receiver includes hysteresis to provide improved immunity against electrical noise. For protection, the device is rated for ±15kV ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) on its interface pins, safeguarding it from damage during handling and operation. It is also designed to be latch-up free.

From a design perspective, this transceiver simplifies board layout. The on-chip voltage converters require only four small, external 0.1µF capacitors, contributing to significant savings in valuable PCB real estate. Its small SOIC16 package offers a compact footprint. As a pin-compatible, low-power upgrade for traditional 5V RS-232 devices, it allows for easy design-in,