October 2006 Rev. 7 1/19
19
ST232A
Very high speed, ultra low power consumption
5V Powered RS-232 drivers and receivers
Feature summary
■Supply voltage range: 4.5 to 5.5V
■Supply current no load (typ): 1.5mA
■Transmitter output voltage swing (typ): ± 9V
■Transition slew rate (typ.): 12V/µs
■Receiver propagation delay (typ.): 0.1µs
■Receiver input voltage range: ± 30V
■Data rate (typ.): 400Kbp/s
■Operating temperature range:
– -40 to 85 °C,
–0 to 70°C
Description
The ST232A is a 2 driver, 2 receiver device
following EIA/TIA-232 and V.28 communication
standard. It is particularly suitable for applications
where ±12V is not available. The ST232A uses a
single 5V power supply and only four external
capacitors (0.1µF). Typical applications are in:
Portable Computers, Low Power Modems,
Interfaces Translation, Battery Powered RS-232
Networks.
.
SOP Large
DIP
TSSOP
SOP
www.st.com
Order codes
Part number Temperature
Range Package Packaging
ST232ACN 0 to 70 °C DIP-16 25parts per tube / 40tube per box
ST232ABN -40 to 85 °C DIP-16 25parts per tube / 40tube per box
ST232ACD 0 to 70 °C SO-16 (Tube) 50parts per tube / 20tube per box
ST232ABD -40 to 85 °C SO-16 (Tube) 50parts per tube / 20tube per box
ST232ACDR 0 to 70 °C SO-16 (Tape & Reel) 2500 parts per reel
ST232ABDR -40 to 85 °C SO-16 (Tape & Reel) 2500 parts per reel
ST232ACW 0 to 70 °C SO-16 Large (Tube) 49 parts per tube / 25 tube per box
ST232ABW -40 to 85 °C SO-16 Large (Tube) 49 parts per tube / 25 tube per box
ST232ACWR 0 to 70 °C SO-16 Large (Tape & Reel) 1000 parts per reel
ST232ABWR -40 to 85 °C SO-16 Large (Tape & Reel) 1000 parts per reel
ST232ACTR 0 to 70 °C TSSOP16 (Tape & Reel) 2500 parts per reel
ST232ABTR -40 to 85 °C TSSOP16 (Tape & Reel) 2500 parts per reel
ST232A
2/19
Contents
1 Pin configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2 Maximum ratings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3 Electrical characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
4 Typical application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
5 Typical performance characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
6 Package mechanical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
7 Revision history . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
ST232 Pin configuration
3/19
1 Pin configuration
Figure 1. Pin connections (top view)
Table 1. Pin description
PlN N° SYMBOL NOTE
1C
1+ Positive terminal for the first charge pump capacitor
2 V+ Doubled voltage terminal
3C
1- Negative terminal for the first charge pump capacitor
4C
2+ Positive terminal for the second charge pump capacitor
5C
2- Negative terminal for the second charge pump capacitor
6 V- Inverted voltage terminal
7T2
OUT Second transmitter output voltage
8R2
IN Second receiver input voltage
9R2
OUT Second receiver output voltage
10 T2IN Second transmitter input voltage
11 T1IN First transmitter input voltage
12 R1OUT First receiver output voltage
13 R1IN First receiver input voltage
14 T1OUT First transmitter output voltage
15 GND Ground
16 VCC Supply voltage
Maximum ratings ST232A
4/19
2 Maximum ratings
Note: Absolute maximum ratings are those values beyond which damage to the device may occur.
Functional operation under these condition is not implied.
Table 2. Absolute maximum ratings
Symbol Parameter Value Unit
VCC Supply voltage -0.3 to 6 V
V+ Extra positive voltage (VCC - 0.3 to 13.2) V
V- Extra negative voltage 0.3 to -13.2 V
TIN Transmitter input voltage range -0.3 to (VCC + 0.3) V
RIN Receiver input voltage range ± 30 V
TOUT Transmitter output voltage range ± 15 V
ROUT Receiver output voltage range -0.3 to (VCC + 0.3) V
TSCTOUT Short circuit duration on TOUT infinite
ST232 Electrical characteristics
5/19
3 Electrical characteristics
Table 3. Electrical characteristics
(C1 - C4 = 0.1µF, VCC = 5V ± 10%, TA = -40 to 85°C, unless otherwise specified. Typical
values are referred to TA = 25°C).
Symbol Parameter Test Min. Typ. Max. Unit
ISUPPLY VCC Power supply current No Load, TA = 25°C 1.5 4 mA
Table 4. Transmitter electrical characteristics
(C1 - C4 = 0.1µF, VCC = 5V ± 10%, TA = -40 to 85°C, unless otherwise specified. Typical
values are referred to TA = 25°C).
Symbol Parameter Test Min. Typ. Max. Unit
VTOUT Output voltage swing All transmitter outputs are loaded
with 3KΩ to GND ± 5± 9V
ITIL Logic Pull-up current TIN = 0V 5 40 µA
VTIL Input logic threshold low 0.8 1.4 V
VTIH Input logic threshold high 1.4 2 V
SRTTransition slew rate TA = 25°C, VCC = 5V
RL = 3 to 7KΩ, CL = 50 to 2500pF (1) 61230V/µs
DRData rate (2) 200 400 Kbits/s
RTOUT Transmitter output resistance VCC = V+ = V- = 0V VOUT = ± 2V 300 Ω
ISC
Transmitter output short circuit
current One TXOUT to GND ±7±22 mA
tDT Propagation delay time TTL-CMOS IN to RS-232 OUT
CL = 150pF (50% to 50%) 1.3 3.5 µs
1. Measured from 3V to -3V or from -3V to 3V.
2. One transmitter output is loaded with RL = 3KΩ to 7KΩ, CL = 50 to 1000pF.
Electrical characteristics ST232A
6/19
Table 5. Receiver electrical characteristics
(C1 - C4 = 0.1µF, VCC = 5V ± 10%, TA = -40 to 85°C, unless otherwise specified. Typical
values are referred to TA = 25°C).
Symbol Parameter Test Min. Typ. Max. Unit
VRIN
Receiver input voltage
operating range -30 30 V
RRIN RS-232 Input resistance TA = 25°C 3 5 7 KΩ
VRIL RS-232 Input threshold low 0.8 1.3 V
VRIH RS-232 Input threshold high 1.8 2.4 V
VRIHYS RS-232 Input hysteresis VCC = 5V 0.2 0.5 1 V
VROL TTL/CMOS Output voltage low IOUT = 3.2mA (to VCC)0.20.4V
VROH TTL/CMOS Output voltage high IOUT = -1mA (to GND) 3.5 VCC-0.2 V
ISCR
Receiver output short circuit
current
to GND 2 10 mA
to VCC 10 30
tDR Propagation delay time CL = 150pF (1) 0.1 0.5 µs
1. RS-232 in to TTL-CMOS out (from 50% to 50%)
ST232 Typical application
7/19
4 Typical application
Figure 2. Application circuit (1) (2)
1. C1-4 capacitors can even be 1µF ones
2. C1-4 can be common or biased capacitors
Table 6. Capacitance value (µF)
C1 C2 C3 C4 C5
0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1
Typical performance characteristics ST232A
8/19
5 Typical performance characteristics
(Unless otherwise specified TJ = 25°C).
Figure 3. Driver voltage transfer
characteristics
Figure 4. Drive short circuit output current vs
temperature
Figure 5. Receiver threshold vs supply
voltage
Figure 6. Driver output capability current vs
output voltage
ST232 Typical performance characteristics
9/19
Figure 7. Driver short circuit supply current
vs temperature
Figure 8. Receiver threshold vs temperature
Package mechanical data ST232A
10/19
6 Package mechanical data
In order to meet environmental requirements, ST offers these devices in ECOPACK®
packages. These packages have a Lead-free second level interconnect. The category of
second Level Interconnect is marked on the package and on the inner box label, in
compliance with JEDEC Standard JESD97. The maximum ratings related to soldering
conditions are also marked on the inner box label. ECOPACK is an ST trademark.
ECOPACK specifications are available at: www.st.com.
ST232 Package mechanical data
11/19
DIM.
mm. inch
MIN. TYP MAX. MIN. TYP. MAX.
a1 0.51 0.020
B 0.77 1.65 0.030 0.065
b 0.5 0.020
b1 0.25 0.010
D 20 0.787
E 8.5 0.335
e 2.54 0.100
e3 17.78 0.700
F 7.1 0.280
I 5.1 0.201
L 3.3 0.130
Z 1.27 0.050
Plastic DIP-16 (0.25) MECHANICAL DATA
P001C
Package mechanical data ST232A
12/19
DIM.
mm. inch
MIN. TYP MAX. MIN. TYP. MAX.
A 1.75 0.068
a1 0.1 0.25 0.004 0.010
a2 1.64 0.063
b 0.35 0.46 0.013 0.018
b1 0.19 0.25 0.007 0.010
C 0.5 0.019
c1 45° (typ.)
D 9.8 10 0.385 0.393
E 5.8 6.2 0.228 0.244
e 1.27 0.050
e3 8.89 0.350
F 3.8 4.0 0.149 0.157
G 4.6 5.3 0.181 0.208
L 0.5 1.27 0.019 0.050
M 0.62 0.024
S8° (max.)
SO-16 MECHANICAL DATA
0016020D
ST232 Package mechanical data
13/19
DIM. mm. inch
MIN. TYP MAX. MIN. TYP. MAX.
A 2.65 0.104
a1 0.1 0.2 0.004 0.008
a2 2.45 0.096
b 0.35 0.49 0.014 0.019
b1 0.23 0.32 0.009 0.012
C 0.5 0.020
c1 45˚ (typ.)
D 10.1 10.5 0.397 0.413
E 10.0 10.65 0.393 0.419
e 1.27 0.050
e3 8.89 0.350
F 7.4 7.6 0.291 0.300
G
L 0.5 1.27 0.020 0.050
M 0.75 0.029
S8 ˚ (max.)
SO-16L MECHANICAL DATA
PO13I
Package mechanical data ST232A
14/19
DIM.
mm. inch
MIN. TYP MAX. MIN. TYP. MAX.
A 1.2 0.047
A1 0.05 0.15 0.002 0.004 0.006
A2 0.8 1 1.05 0.031 0.039 0.041
b 0.19 0.30 0.007 0.012
c 0.09 0.20 0.004 0.0079
D 4.9 5 5.1 0.193 0.197 0.201
E 6.2 6.4 6.6 0.244 0.252 0.260
E1 4.3 4.4 4.48 0.169 0.173 0.176
e 0.65 BSC 0.0256 BSC
K0˚ 8˚0˚ 8˚
L 0.45 0.60 0.75 0.018 0.024 0.030
TSSOP16 MECHANICAL DATA
cE
b
A2
A
E1
D
1
PIN 1 IDENTIFICATION
A1 L
K
e
0080338D
ST232 Package mechanical data
15/19
DIM.
mm. inch
MIN. TYP MAX. MIN. TYP. MAX.
A 330 12.992
C 12.8 13.2 0.504 0.519
D 20.2 0.795
N 60 2.362
T 22.4 0.882
Ao 6.45 6.65 0.254 0.262
Bo 10.3 10.5 0.406 0.414
Ko 2.1 2.3 0.082 0.090
Po 3.9 4.1 0.153 0.161
P 7.9 8.1 0.311 0.319
Tape & Reel SO-16 MECHANICAL DATA
Package mechanical data ST232A
16/19
DIM.
mm. inch
MIN. TYP MAX. MIN. TYP. MAX.
A 330 12.992
C 12.8 13.2 0.504 0.519
D 20.2 0.795
N 60 2.362
T 22.4 0.882
Ao 10.8 11.0 0.425 0.433
Bo 10.7 10.9 0.421 0.429
Ko 2.9 3.1 0.114 0.122
Po 3.9 4.1 0.153 0.161
P 11.9 12.1 0.468 0.476
Tape & Reel SO-16L MECHANICAL DATA
ST232 Package mechanical data
17/19
DIM.
mm. inch
MIN. TYP MAX. MIN. TYP. MAX.
A 330 12.992
C 12.8 13.2 0.504 0.519
D 20.2 0.795
N 60 2.362
T 22.4 0.882
Ao 6.7 6.9 0.264 0.272
Bo 5.3 5.5 0.209 0.217
Ko 1.6 1.8 0.063 0.071
Po 3.9 4.1 0.153 0.161
P 7.9 8.1 0.311 0.319
Tape & Reel TSSOP16 MECHANICAL DATA
Revision history ST232A
18/19
7 Revision history
Table 7. Revision history
Date Revision Changes
27-Oct-2006 7 Order codes has been updated and document reformatted.
ST232
19/19
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