The MAX218 RS-232 transceiver is intended for battery-powered EIA/TIA-232E and V.28/V.24 communications interfaces that need two drivers and two receivers with minimum power consumption. It provides a wide +1.8V to +4.25V operating voltage range while maintaining true RS-232 and EIA/TIA-562 voltage levels. The MAX218 runs from two alkaline, NiCd, or NiMH cells without any form of voltage regulator.

A shutdown mode reduces current consumption to 1μA, extending battery life in portable systems. While shut down, all receivers can remain active or can be disabled under logic control, permitting a system incorporating the CMOS MAX218 to monitor external devices while in low-power shutdown mode.

A guaranteed 120kbps data rate provides compatibility with popular software for communicating with personal computers. Three-state drivers are provided on all receiver outputs so that multiple receivers, generally of different interface standards, can be wire-ORed at the UART. The MAX218 is available in 20-pin DIP, SO, and SSOP packages.