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.ApplicationsBattery-Powered ApplicationsComputers: Desktop, Workstation, ServerInstrumentsModemsPeripheralsPrinters