STMicroelectronics ST202EBWR

Overview

ST202EBWR from STMicroelectronics is a two-driver, two-receiver RS-232 transceiver IC operating from a single 5 V supply, featuring ±15 kV HBM ESD protection on all RS-232 I/O pins, guaranteed 230 kbps data rate, and 3–30 V/µs slew rate control - deployed in industrial serial interfaces, point-of-sale terminals, and legacy COM port extensions where robustness against electrostatic discharge and compatibility with EIA/TIA-232E standards are critical.

For engineers reviewing the ST202EBWR datasheet, ST202EBWR pinout, ST202EBWR application, or ST202EBWR equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical specifications, SO16 package mapping, real-world timing behavior under load, capacitor configuration guidance (0.1 µF charge-pump), and functional alternatives for RS-232 physical layer design in extended-temperature industrial systems.

Technical Context

The ST202EBWR implements dual transmitter/receiver channels with integrated charge-pump voltage doublers and inverters (V+, V−), enabling full RS-232 voltage levels (±5 V to ±9 V swing) from 5 V only. Its slew rate is internally limited to 3–30 V/µs to reduce EMI while maintaining 230 kbps compliance under 3–7 kΩ load and 50–1000 pF capacitance.

Receiver inputs tolerate ±30 V common-mode range and feature 0.2–1 V hysteresis for noise immunity; transmitter outputs deliver ±10 mA short-circuit current and 300 Ω output resistance. All I/O pins meet IEC 61000-4-2 (±6 kV contact, ±8 kV air) and human-body-model (±15 kV) ESD requirements without external protection.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

ST202EBWR is supplied in a 16-pin Small Outline (SO16) package per ECOPACK® environmental compliance, with 1.27 mm pitch, 10 mm × 4 mm body, and thermal resistance R_thJA = 115 °C/W (1-layer board). Pin functions are validated per ST's DocID6900 Rev 18.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar RS-232 transceiver applications.

Compared with MAX3232ESE+ and SP3232EEN-L, ST202EBWR offers tighter slew-rate control (3–30 V/µs vs. fixed ~15 V/µs), superior thermal performance in SO16 (115 °C/W vs. 140 °C/W), and documented 230 kbps guarantee across –40°C to +85°C - making it optimal for thermally demanding industrial serial gateways.

Availability

ST202EBWR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial automation, medical diagnostics, retail POS infrastructure, and test equipment requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long product lifecycles.

Supply support for ST202EBWR 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

STMicroelectronics is a global semiconductor leader headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, designing and manufacturing analog, mixed-signal, power, and microcontroller products for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.

The ST202EBWR belongs to ST's RS-232 interface IC product line, engineered specifically for robust serial communication in electrically noisy, temperature-variable environments where ESD resilience and supply simplicity are non-negotiable.

FAQ

What is the minimum recommended external capacitor value for ST202EBWR?

The ST202EBWR is characterized and guaranteed for operation with four 0.1 µF ceramic capacitors (C1–C4) placed as close as possible to their respective pins. Using smaller values risks insufficient charge-pump regulation, leading to reduced output voltage swing and failure to meet ±5 V minimum under load. ST does not specify or guarantee operation below 0.1 µF.

Can ST202EBWR operate with a 3.3 V supply?

No. ST202EBWR is specified only for 5 V ±10% operation (4.5 V to 5.5 V). At 3.3 V, the internal charge pump cannot generate sufficient V+ and V− rails to meet RS-232 voltage swing requirements (±5 V min), resulting in non-compliant output levels and potential interoperability failure with standard RS-232 receivers.

Does ST202EBWR support automatic power-down mode?

No. ST202EBWR has no enable/disable or shutdown pin and draws continuous supply current (5–10 mA) whenever VCC is applied. Power management must be implemented externally - for example, by gating VCC with a MOSFET controlled by system firmware - as the device lacks built-in low-power states.

How does ST202EBWR handle ground potential differences between connected devices?

ST202EBWR receiver inputs tolerate ±30 V common-mode voltage relative to local GND, allowing safe operation when connected devices have ground potentials differing by up to 30 V - a key requirement in industrial settings with distributed grounding. This is achieved via high-impedance input resistors (3–7 kΩ) and differential threshold design.