Datasheet
Tables 1a–1d define the control states. The MAX244 has 
no control pins and is not included in these tables.
The MAX246 has ten receivers and eight drivers with 
two control pins, each controlling one side of the device. 
A logic high at the A-side control input (ENA) causes the 
four A-side receivers and drivers to go into a three-state 
mode. Similarly, the B-side control input (ENB) causes 
the four B-side drivers and receivers to go into a three-
state mode. As in the MAX245, one Aside and one B-side 
receiver (RA5 and RB5) remain active at all times. The 
entire device is put into shutdown mode when both the A 
and B sides are disabled (ENA = ENB = +5V).
The MAX247 provides nine receivers and eight drivers 
with four control pins. The ENRA and ENRB receiver 
enable inputs each control four receiver outputs. The 
ENTA and ENTB transmitter enable inputs each control 
four drivers. The ninth receiver (RB5) is always active. 
The device enters shutdown mode with a logic high on 
both ENTA and ENTB.
The MAX248 provides eight receivers and eight drivers 
with four control pins. The ENRA and ENRB receiver 
enable inputs each control four receiver outputs. The 
ENTA and ENTB transmitter enable inputs control four 
drivers each. This part does not have an always-active 
receiver. The device enters shutdown mode and transmit-
ters go into a three-state mode with a logic high on both 
ENTA and ENTB.
The MAX249 provides ten receivers and six drivers with 
four control pins. The ENRA and ENRB receiver enable 
inputs each control five receiver outputs. The ENTA and 
ENTB transmitter enable inputs control three drivers 
each. There is no always-active receiver. The device 
enters shutdown mode and transmitters go into a three-
state mode with a logic high on both ENTA and ENTB. In 
shutdown mode, active receivers operate in a low-power 
receive mode at data rates up to 20kb/s.
Applications Information
Figures  5  through 25  show  pin configurations  and  typi-
cal operating circuits. In applications that are sensitive to 
power-supply noise, V
CC
 should be decoupled to ground 
with a capacitor of the same value as C1 and C2 con-
nected as close as possible to the device.
MAX220–MAX249 +5V-Powered, Multichannel
RS-232 Drivers/Receivers
www.maximintegrated.com
Maxim Integrated 
│
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