DS232A
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R1 IN, R2 IN: Receiver inputs. These inputs ac cept RS-232 level signals (±25 volts) into a protect ed 5 kΩ
terminating resistor. Each receiver provides 0.5V hysteresis (typical) for noise immunity.
R1 OUT, R2 OUT: Receiver outputs at TTL/CMOS levels.
C1+, C1-, C2+, C2-: Charge pump capacitor inputs. These pins require two external capacitors (0.1 µF
minimum, 10 µF maximum and should be the same size as C3 and C4). Capacitor 1 is connect ed between
C1+ and C1-. Capacitor 2 is connected between C2+ and C2-. Capacitor C1 can be omitted if +12 volts is
connected directly to V+. Likewise, C2 can be omitted if -12V is connected directly to V-.
DUAL CHARGE PUMP CONVERTERS
The DS232A has a two-stage on-board charge pump circuit that is used to generate ±10 volts from a
single +5-volt supply. In the first stage, capacitor C1 doubles the +5V supply to +10 volts which is then
stored on capacitor C3. The second stage uses capacitor C2 to invert the +10V potential to -10V. This
charge is then stored on capacitor C4. The ±10-volt supplies allow the DS232A to provide the necessary
output levels for RS-232 communication. The DS232A will operate with charge pump capacitors as low
as 0.1 µF. Larger capacitors (up to 10 µF) can be used to reduce supply ripple.
RS-232 DRIVERS
The two RS-232 drivers are powered b y the internal ±10-volt supplies generated by the on-board charge
pump. The driver inputs are both TTL and CMOS compatible. Each input has an internal 400 kΩ=pullup
resistor so that unused transmitter inputs can be left unconnected. Th e open circuit output voltage swing
is from (V+ - 0.6) to V- volts. Worst case conditions for EIA-232E/V.28 of ±5-volt driving a 3 kΩ=load
and 2500 pF are met at maximum operating temperature and VCC equal to 4.5 volts. Typical voltage
swings of ±8 volts occur when loaded with a nominal 5 kΩ=RS-232 receiver. As required by EIA-232E
and V.28 specifications, the slew rate at the output is limited to less than 30 volts/µs. Typical slew rates
are 20 volts/µs unloaded and 12 volts/µs with 3 kΩ=and 2500 pF load. These slew rat es allow for bit rates
of over 250k bits/s. Driver outputs maintain high impedance when power is off.
RS-232 RECEIVERS
The two receivers conform fully to the RS-232E specifications. The input impedance is typically 5
kΩ=and can withstand up to ±25 volts with or without VCC applied. The input switching thresholds are
within the ±3-volt limit of RS-232E specification with an input threshold low of 0.8 volts and an input
threshold high of 2.4 volts. The receivers have 0.5 volts of h ysteresis (typical) to improve noise r ejection.
The TTL/CMOS compatible outputs of the receivers will be low whenever the RS-232 input is greater
than 2.4 volts. The receiver output will be high when the input is floating or driven between +0.8 volts
and -25 volts.