The ST1480Ax is ±15 kV ESD protected, 3.3 V low power transceiver for RS-485 and RS-422 communications. The device contains one driver and one receiver in half duplex configuration. The ST1480Ax transmits and receives at a guaranteed data rate of at least 12 Mbps. All transmitter outputs and receiver inputs are protected to ±15 kV using Human Body Model. Driver is short-circuit current limited and is protected against excessive power dissipation by thermal shutdown circuitry that places the driver outputs into a high-impedance state. The ST1480Ax input has a true fail-safe feature that guarantees a logic high output if both inputs are open circuit, shorted together or in the presence of a termination with no signal on the bus.