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Home > Products > Integrated Circuits (ICs) > Interface > Drivers, Receivers, Transceivers

STMicroelectronics ST232BW

Name: ST232BW
Brand: STMicroelectronics
SKU: ST232BW
Price: 2.40 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

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Part No.:: ST232BW

Manufacturer:: STMicroelectronics

Category:: Drivers, Receivers, Transceivers

Package:: 16-SOIC (0.295", 7.50mm Width)

Datasheet:: ST232BW.pdf

Description:: IC TRANSCEIVER FULL 2/2 16SO

Quantity:: RFQ Add To RFQ list

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Inventory:1,618

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Product details

Overview

ST232BW from STMicroelectronics is a dual-transmitter/dual-receiver RS-232 interface IC operating from a single 5 V supply, delivering ±7.8 V transmitter output swing, 220 kbps data rate, and ±30 V receiver input tolerance. It replaces legacy ±12 V RS-232 transceivers in battery-powered modems and portable computing interfaces.

For engineers reviewing the ST232BW datasheet, ST232BW pinout, ST232BW application, or ST232BW equivalent, key selection criteria include its 4.5–5.5 V supply range, controlled slew rate for EMI reduction, –40 °C to 85 °C industrial temperature grade, SO-16L package footprint, and compatibility with MAX232/MAX202 logic-level signaling.

Technical Context

The ST232BW integrates two charge-pump voltage doublers and inverters to generate ±V_CC-derived RS-232 voltage levels from a single 5 V rail, using only four 0.1 µF external capacitors. Its transmitter outputs feature slew-rate limiting to reduce electromagnetic interference during signal transitions.

Receiver inputs accept full RS-232 voltage ranges (±30 V), with 0.5 V hysteresis and TTL/CMOS-compatible outputs. Propagation delay is specified at 0.3–1 µs (RS-232 in to TTL out), supporting reliable communication in multi-drop networks and low-power embedded serial links.

Key Specifications

Parameter	Value and Actual Design Meaning
Supply voltage	4.5–5.5 V - Enables direct integration into 5 V logic systems without auxiliary supplies.
Transmitter output swing	±7.8 V (typ.) - Meets EIA/TIA-232 minimum ±5 V requirement with margin for cable loss.
Data rate	220 kbps (typ.) - Supports high-speed UART communication in portable and industrial equipment.
Receiver input range	±30 V - Withstands large ground potential differences and transient surges in noisy environments.
Supply current (no load)	5 mA (typ.) - Low quiescent power enables use in battery-operated RS-232 peripherals.
Operating temperature	–40 °C to +85 °C - Qualified for industrial-grade operation without derating.
Slew rate	7–30 V/µs - Controlled edge rate reduces radiated emissions and crosstalk in dense PCB layouts.

Pinout & Package

ST232BW is housed in a 16-pin SO-16 Large (SO-16L) surface-mount package with 1.27 mm pitch, 10.1 × 10.5 mm body size, and ECOPACK® lead-free finish.

Pin/Terminal	Circuit Role	Design Meaning
1 C1+	Charge pump capacitor positive terminal	Connects to + terminal of first 0.1 µF flying capacitor; critical for voltage doubling stage stability.
2 V+	Doubled supply voltage output	Provides +2×V_CC (~10 V) to transmitter drivers; must be decoupled locally.
3 C1−	Charge pump capacitor negative terminal	Completes first charge pump loop; ties to GND during phase switching.
4 C2+	Second charge pump capacitor positive terminal	Feeds inverted voltage generation stage; pairs with C2− to produce –V_CC.
5 C2−	Second charge pump capacitor negative terminal	Reference node for voltage inversion; switches between V+ and GND to generate V−.
6 V−	Inverted supply voltage output	Provides –2×V_CC (~–10 V); powers negative-side transmitter outputs.
7 T2OUT	Second transmitter output	RS-232 level output (±7.8 V) driven by TTL/CMOS input on T2IN; supports independent channel routing.
8 R2IN	Second receiver input	Accepts ±30 V RS-232 signals; converts to TTL/CMOS logic levels at R2OUT.
9 R2OUT	Second receiver output	TTL/CMOS-compatible logic output (0.4 V low / ≥3.5 V high); drives microcontroller UART RX lines.
10 T2IN	Second transmitter input	TTL/CMOS input accepting 0.8 V low / 2.0 V high thresholds; connects directly to MCU TX pins.
11 T1IN	First transmitter input	Primary TTL/CMOS input channel; electrically identical to T2IN with separate output path.
12 R1OUT	First receiver output	Complementary TTL/CMOS output to R2OUT; provides second UART RX path with same drive strength.
13 R1IN	First receiver input	Primary RS-232 input port; shares same ±30 V tolerance and hysteresis as R2IN.
14 T1OUT	First transmitter output	Main RS-232 driver output; delivers ±7.8 V swing into 3 kΩ load per EIA/TIA-232 spec.
15 GND	Analog/digital ground reference	Common return for all internal circuitry and external capacitors; requires low-impedance PCB plane.
16 VCC	Positive supply input	5 V main power rail; must be bypassed with 0.1 µF ceramic capacitor close to pin.

Key Features

Feature	Design Value
Single 5 V supply operation	Eliminates need for ±12 V rails, reducing BOM count and board space in portable designs.
Four 0.1 µF external capacitors	Minimizes external component count and cost versus older RS-232 transceivers requiring larger electrolytics.
Controlled output slew rate	Reduces radiated emissions by limiting dV/dt, easing EMC compliance in compact enclosures.
–40 °C to +85 °C operating range	Supports deployment in uncontrolled industrial environments without thermal management overhead.
MAX232/MAX202 compatibility	Enables drop-in replacement in existing designs, preserving layout and firmware logic.

Applications

Portable Computing Interfaces

Low-Power Modems

Use Scenario: Serial debug and configuration ports on handheld terminals and ruggedized tablets.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bidirectional RS-232 level translation between 3.3/5 V microcontrollers and legacy PC COM ports.

Use Value: Single-supply operation extends battery life; ±30 V receiver tolerance prevents damage from hot-plug transients.

Use Scenario: Embedded dial-up modems in remote telemetry units powered by solar-charged batteries.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Full-duplex RS-232 transceiver enabling AT command exchange and data transmission over PSTN lines.

Use Value: 5 mA no-load current minimizes standby drain; 220 kbps supports V.34 modem speeds without bottlenecking.

Multi-Drop RS-232 Networks

Industrial Interface Translation

Use Scenario: Central controller communicating with multiple field devices (sensors, actuators) over shared RS-232 bus.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Transmitter driver and receiver front-end ensuring signal integrity across long cables with varying ground potentials.

Use Value: ±30 V input range accommodates ground offsets up to ±15 V between nodes; slew control suppresses inter-channel crosstalk.

Use Scenario: PLC I/O modules converting RS-232 signals from legacy HMIs to modern 3.3 V UART controllers.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Voltage-level shifter and noise-immune receiver protecting downstream logic from industrial ESD and surge events.

Use Value: Integrated hysteresis (0.2–1 V) rejects line noise; robust input protection avoids external TVS diodes in many cases.

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Alternative Part	Technical Difference	Application Difference	Selection Advice
MAX232CPE+	0 to +70 °C temp range; DIP-16 package; requires 1 µF capacitors	Limited to commercial temperature environments; through-hole assembly only	Select when legacy DIP layout reuse or wider capacitor tolerance (1 µF vs 0.1 µF) is prioritized.
SP3232ECA-L	3.0–5.5 V supply; 250 kbps data rate; ±15 kV ESD protection on RS-232 pins	Higher ESD immunity but lower receiver input range (±25 V vs ±30 V)	Prefer where system-level ESD testing exceeds IEC 61000-4-2 Level 4 and ±25 V input suffices.

Compared with MAX232CPE+, ST232BW offers extended temperature range and smaller capacitor footprint; versus SP3232ECA-L, it trades higher ESD rating for greater fault-tolerant input voltage range-critical in electrically noisy factory floors.

Availability

ST232BW is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for portable computing interfaces, low-power modems, and industrial interface translation requiring stable component supply across extended temperature conditions.

Supply support for ST232BW 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 solutions for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.

The ST232B series belongs to ST's legacy RS-232 interface product line, engineered specifically for single-supply, low-pin-count serial communication in space-constrained and battery-sensitive applications.

FAQ

What is the minimum required external capacitor value for ST232BW operation?

The ST232BW is fully specified with 0.1 µF ceramic capacitors for C1–C4. While the datasheet notes that 1 µF capacitors may also be used, 0.1 µF is the validated minimum value ensuring guaranteed performance across –40 °C to +85 °C, including startup reliability and output voltage regulation under load.

Does ST232BW support automatic power-down or shutdown mode?

No, the ST232BW does not include an enable/shutdown pin or automatic power-down functionality. It operates continuously when VCC is applied. Power management must be implemented externally-for example, by gating VCC via a MOSFET controlled by a system supervisor or microcontroller GPIO.

Can ST232BW drive standard RS-232 loads of 3 kΩ to 7 kΩ and 1000 pF simultaneously?

Yes. The ST232BW transmitter output is characterized for RL = 3–7 kΩ and CL = 50–1000 pF, delivering 220 kbps data rate and ±7.8 V swing under those conditions. This meets EIA/TIA-232-F requirements for standard point-to-point and multi-drop configurations.

Is the SO-16L package of ST232BW compatible with standard SO-16 footprints?

No. The SO-16L (Large) package has a 10.1 × 10.5 mm body size and 7.4–7.6 mm width, whereas standard SO-16 measures 9.8–10.0 mm × 5.8–6.2 mm. ST232BW requires the larger SO-16L footprint; using a standard SO-16 land pattern will result in solder joint misalignment and mechanical stress.

ST232BW Specifications

Product attributes: Attribute value

Manufacturer:: STMicroelectronics

Series:: -

Package/Case:: 16-SOIC (0.295", 7.50mm Width)

Packaging:: Tube

Product Status:: Obsolete

Type:: Transceiver

Protocol:: RS232

Number of Drivers/Receivers:: 2/2

Duplex:: Full

Receiver Hysteresis:: 500 mV

Data Rate:: 220Kbps

Voltage - Supply:: 4.5V ~ 5.5V

Operating Temperature:: -40°C ~ 85°C

Grade:: -

Qualification:: -

Mounting Type:: Surface Mount

Supplier Device Package:: 16-SO

ST232BW FAQ

1.How can I place an order for ST232BW through Aetrix?

Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for ST232BW on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.

2.Are the price and stock information for ST232BW reliable?

The price and inventory of ST232BW are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for ST232BW is usually 5 days.

3.What payment methods are accepted for ST232BW?

We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for ST232BW transactions.

Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.

4.How is shipping managed for ST232BW?

ST232BW orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.

Once your ST232BW order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.

Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.

5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for ST232BW?

For technical support, including ST232BW datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your ST232BW requirements.

6.How does Aetrix verify that ST232BW is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?

All ST232BW products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that ST232BW meets industry standards.

7.What is the process for return or replacement of ST232BW?

All ST232BW units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with ST232BW, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:

1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.

2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.

3.The ST232BW part is unused and in its original packaging.

Return procedure for ST232BW:

1.Submit a request within 90 days.

2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.

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