Texas Instruments SN65HVD73DR

Overview

SN65HVD73DR from Texas Instruments is a 3.3-V full-duplex RS-485 transceiver with ±12-kV IEC 61000-4-2 contact ESD protection, 20-Mbps signaling rate, active-high driver enable (DE) and active-low receiver enable (RE), and SOIC-14 package. It operates from –40°C to 125°C and supports up to 256 nodes on the bus, enabling robust industrial fieldbus communication in noisy, long-cable environments.

For engineers reviewing the SN65HVD73DR datasheet, SN65HVD73DR pinout, SN65HVD73DR application, or SN65HVD73DR equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical specs, validated SOIC-14 pin functions, real-world use cases in building automation and e-meters, and two confirmed alternative parts with documented functional and application differences.

Technical Context

The SN65HVD73DR integrates a differential driver and differential receiver on a single 3.3-V supply, with separate DE/RE control logic enabling precise power-state management. Its 70-mV receiver hysteresis rejects common-mode noise, and its ±12-kV IEC ESD rating meets industrial surge immunity requirements without external protection components.

It features hot-plug-safe glitch-free power-up/down behavior and 5-V-tolerant logic inputs compatible with both 3.3-V and 5-V microcontrollers. The device supports RS-485 and RS-422 loads (54 Ω and 100 Ω), with differential output voltage ≥1.5 V into 54 Ω and quiescent current <1.1 mA during operation.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

SN65HVD73DR is supplied in a 14-pin SOIC (D) package with 8.65 mm × 3.91 mm body size. Pins 6 and 7 are internally connected to GND; pins 13 and 14 are internally connected to VCC.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar RS-485 transceiver applications.

Compared with SN65HVD73DR, SN65HVD73D offers identical functionality in a miniaturized package ideal for dense layouts, while SN65HVD74DR removes enable logic to lower software complexity - both require validation of thermal and layout constraints before substitution.

Availability

SN65HVD73DR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial automation, building management systems, and e-metering applications requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and guaranteed traceability.

Supply support for SN65HVD73DR includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor leader specializing in analog, embedded processing, and connectivity solutions for industrial, automotive, and communications markets.

The SN65HVD7x family was designed specifically for rugged RS-485 communication in extended-temperature industrial environments, emphasizing ESD robustness, low power, and multi-node scalability.

FAQ

What is the maximum signaling rate supported by the SN65HVD73DR?

The SN65HVD73DR supports a maximum signaling rate of 20 Mbps. This is validated across the full operating temperature range (–40°C to 125°C) with RL = 54 Ω and CL = 50 pF. At this rate, driver propagation delay remains ≤20 ns and receiver propagation delay ≤90 ns, ensuring timing margins for real-time control loops. The SN65HVD73DR datasheet specifies these values in Section 7.9.

Does the SN65HVD73DR require external ESD protection on the bus lines?

No, the SN65HVD73DR does not require external ESD protection on the bus lines. It integrates >±12-kV IEC 61000-4-2 contact discharge and >±30-kV HBM protection on all bus pins (A, B, Y, Z). This is sufficient for most industrial installations per IEC 61000-4-2 Level 4 compliance. External TVS devices may still be added for extreme surge environments (e.g., outdoor lightning-prone sites), but are not mandatory for baseline robustness.

How many nodes can be connected to an RS-485 bus using the SN65HVD73DR?

The SN65HVD73DR supports up to 256 nodes on a single RS-485 bus due to its 1/8 unit-load input impedance. This is confirmed in the device's Features section and Device Comparison Table. Each SN65HVD73DR presents only 72 kΩ of input resistance on the bus, enabling high node density without exceeding the standard 32-unit-load limit - critical for large-scale building or factory automation networks.

What is the purpose of the dual GND and dual VCC pins on the SN65HVD73DR SOIC-14 package?

The SN65HVD73DR SOIC-14 package has internally connected pins 6 and 7 (GND) and pins 13 and 14 (VCC) to improve thermal dissipation and reduce ground/power rail impedance. Dual GND pins lower ground bounce during fast driver switching; dual VCC pins stabilize supply voltage under transient load. These connections are mandatory per TI's layout guidelines - both GND pins must be tied to the same ground plane, and both VCC pins to the same 3.3-V rail.

Can the SN65HVD73DR interface directly with a 5-V microcontroller UART?

Yes, the SN65HVD73DR can interface directly with a 5-V microcontroller UART. Its logic inputs (D, DE, RE) are 5-V tolerant, accepting VIH up to 5.7 V and VIL down to –0.3 V per Absolute Maximum Ratings. The R output is 3.3-V CMOS compatible, so a level shifter is only needed if the MCU's RX input requires 5-V logic levels - otherwise, direct connection is safe and commonly implemented.