LTC Intros LTC2801/02/03/04 RS-232 Tranceiver Family
Linear Technology Corp. (LTC, Milpitas, CA) introduced a family of single and dual RS-232 transceivers, the LTC2801, LTC2802, LTC2803 and LTC2804, which operate over an input supply range from 1.8 V to 5.5 V. The low voltage accommodates systems powered from two alkaline, nickel-cadmium or nickel-metal hydride cells, or systems that interface directly to a low-voltage logic supply. This is beneficial for applications ranging from board-level diagnostics to portable instruments.
Offering low 1 µA shutdown current and a 15 µA receiver-active current, the new ICs are an attractive solution for any application that communicates through the RS-232 interface. The LTC2802 and LTC2804 support up to 1 Mbps data rates for proprietary diagnostic links. The LTC2801 and LTC2803 are capable of rates as high as 250 kbps.
The ICs integrate a boost converter for generating the required RS-232 output signal levels. Control pins invoke optional shutdown, receiver active and driver disable features. The ±10 kV ESD protection on the RS-232 pins guards against electrostatic discharges that can be encountered during operation, while eliminating the need for external components.
The LTC2801 and LTC2802 single transceivers are offered in a 3 mm x 4 mm DFN package. The LTC2803 and LTC2804 dual transceivers are offered in 16-lead SSOP and 16-lead DFN packages. Specified over the commercial and industrial temperature ranges and available from stock, pricing begins at $1.60 each in 1,000-piece quantities.
