The MAX232CSE+T is the commercial-grade version of Maxim's original MAX232 - the part that became the de-facto industry standard for +5V RS-232. As a member of the MAX220-MAX249 family, it serves EIA/TIA-232E and V.28/V.24 interfaces with two transmitters and two receivers and an integrated charge pump, removing the need for ±12V supplies.

An on-chip dual charge pump (voltage doubler plus inverter) converts +5V to the ±10V required to drive RS-232 lines, using the classic four external 1µF capacitors. Receivers translate incoming RS-232 levels back to TTL/CMOS, providing a reliable, well-proven serial interface that countless designs have shipped for decades.

Because it is the reference MAX232, the MAX232CSE is the safe default whenever a standard +5V RS-232 port is needed and no special feature (low-power shutdown, high speed or extended temperature) is required. It operates over the 0°C to +70°C commercial range in a narrow 16-pin SO.

Note: Refer to the official Maxim MAX220-MAX249 datasheet for full electrical parameters. Subject to change without notice; verify all parameters before final design.

The MAX232CSE+T is supplied in a narrow 16-pin SO package, indicated by the CSE suffix. This is the canonical MAX232 16-pin footprint that the whole family shares, so the standard part drops into virtually any RS-232 design.

The "+" suffix indicates lead-free, RoHS-compliant finish and the "T" suffix tape-and-reel packing. Standard 16-lead SO land patterns and reflow profiles apply; place the four 1µF charge-pump capacitors (C1-C4) close to the device and bypass VCC. The diagram below shows the typical operating circuit (the figure covers MAX220/MAX232/MAX232A; use the 1µF column for the standard MAX232).

The MAX232CSE uses the canonical MAX232 16-pin RS-232 pinout (top view):

• Pin 1 - C1+ / Pin 3 - C1- / Pin 4 - C2+ / Pin 5 - C2-: Charge-pump capacitor connections.
• Pin 2 - V+ / Pin 6 - V-: Charge-pump outputs (+10V / -10V).
• Pin 11 - T1IN / Pin 10 - T2IN: Driver (transmitter) TTL/CMOS inputs.
• Pin 14 - T1OUT / Pin 7 - T2OUT: Driver RS-232 outputs.
• Pin 13 - R1IN / Pin 8 - R2IN: Receiver RS-232 inputs.
• Pin 12 - R1OUT / Pin 9 - R2OUT: Receiver TTL/CMOS outputs.
• Pin 15 - GND / Pin 16 - VCC: Ground and +5V supply.

Connect C1-C4 (1µF for the standard MAX232), route T_IN/R_OUT to the UART and T_OUT/R_IN to the RS-232 connector. Confirm the exact pin assignment against the datasheet image below before layout.

The following parts are listed for reference. Verify speed grade, capacitors and package before substituting.

Maxim Integrated, now part of Analog Devices (NASDAQ: ADI), created the MAX232 - the RS-232 transceiver that became the industry reference. The MAX220-MAX249 family extends that standard with low-power, high-speed, multichannel and extended-temperature variants.

Maxim/ADI provides complete datasheets, application notes and long-term supply, with authorized distribution and technical support across China for both prototype and volume programs.