1 Features
• RS-232 bus-pin ESD protection exceeds ±15kv
using human-body model (HBM)
• Meets or exceeds the requirements of TIA/
EIA-232-F and ITU v.28 standards
• Operates at 5V V CC supply
• Four drivers and five receivers
• Operates up to 120kbit/s
• Low supply current in shutdown mode: 5μA typical
• External capacitors: 4 × 0.1μF
• Latch-up performance exceeds 100mA per JESD
78, class II

2 Applications
• Battery-powered systems
• PDAs
• Notebooks
• Laptops
• Palmtop PCs
• Hand-held equipment

3 Description
The MAX211 device consists of four line drivers,
five line receivers, and a dual charge-pump
circuit with ±15kV ESD protection pin to pin
(serial-port connection pins, including GND). The
device meets the requirements of TIA/EIA-232-F
and provides the electrical interface between an
asynchronous communication controller and the
serial-port connector. The charge pump and four small
external capacitors allow operation from a single 5V
supply. The devices operate at data signaling rates up
to 120kbit/s and a maximum of 30V/μs driver output
slew rate.
The MAX211 has both shutdown (SHDN) and enable
control (EN). In shutdown mode, the charge pumps
are turned off, V+ is pulled down to VCC, V− is pulled
to GND, and the transmitter outputs are disabled. This
reduces supply current typically to 1μA. EN is used to
put the receiver outputs into the high-impedance state
to allow wired-OR connection of two RS-232 ports.
It has no effect on the RS-232 drivers or the charge
pumps.