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

STMicroelectronics ST232BWR

Name: ST232BWR
Brand: STMicroelectronics
SKU: ST232BWR
Price: 2.40 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

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Part No.:: ST232BWR

Manufacturer:: STMicroelectronics

Category:: Drivers, Receivers, Transceivers

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

Datasheet:: ST232BWR.pdf

Description:: IC TRANSCEIVER FULL 2/2 16SO

Quantity:: RFQ Add To RFQ list

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Inventory:3,745

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Product details

Overview

ST232BWR 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 in SO-16 Large (SO-16L) package. It enables battery-powered and portable RS-232 communication where ±12 V rails are unavailable.

For engineers reviewing the ST232BWR datasheet, ST232BWR pinout, ST232BWR application, or ST232BWR equivalent, key selection criteria include its –40 °C to 85 °C industrial temperature range, controlled slew rate for EMI reduction, 5 mA no-load supply current, and compatibility with MAX232/MAX202 footprint and function.

Technical Context

The ST232BWR integrates two charge-pump voltage doublers and inverters to generate ±V_CC-derived RS-232 voltage levels from 5 V only, using four 0.1 µF external capacitors. Its receivers feature 5 kΩ input resistance and 0.5 V hysteresis for noise immunity across ±30 V input range.

Transmitter outputs exhibit 7–30 V/µs slew rate control to limit electromagnetic interference, while propagation delays remain under 1 µs (receiver) and 1.2 µs (transmitter), supporting reliable 220 kbps full-duplex operation at industrial temperatures.

Key Specifications

Parameter	Value and Actual Design Meaning
Supply voltage	4.5 V to 5.5 V - supports standard 5 V logic rails and tolerates ±10 % variation without regulation.
Supply current (no load)	5 mA (typ.) - enables low-power operation in battery-backed or portable systems.
Transmitter output swing	±7.8 V (typ.) - meets EIA/TIA-232 minimum ±5 V requirement with margin for cable loss and noise.
Data rate	220 kbps (typ.) - supports high-speed serial links such as modem handshaking and industrial telemetry.
Receiver input range	±30 V - withstands large ground potential differences and transient surges in multi-drop networks.
Operating temperature	–40 °C to +85 °C - qualified for industrial environments including factory automation and outdoor terminals.
Slew rate	7–30 V/µs - reduces harmonic content and radiated emissions in noisy EMI-sensitive layouts.

Pinout & Package

ST232BWR is housed in a 16-pin SO-16 Large (SO-16L) surface-mount package per JEDEC MS-013, with 1.27 mm pitch, 10.1 mm × 10.5 mm body, 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) rail for transmitter driver stages; 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	Connects to + terminal of second 0.1 µF flying capacitor; enables V− generation.
5 C2−	Second charge pump capacitor negative terminal	Completes inverting charge pump loop; referenced to V+ during inversion cycle.
6 V−	Inverted supply voltage output	Provides –2×V_CC (~–10 V) rail for negative RS-232 level generation.
7 T2OUT	Second transmitter output	RS-232-compliant differential output (±7.8 V) driving TIA-232 line #2.
8 R2IN	Second receiver input	Accepts ±30 V RS-232 signal; converts to TTL/CMOS logic level on R2OUT.
9 R2OUT	Second receiver output	TTL/CMOS-compatible logic-level output (0.4 V low / ≥3.5 V high) for microcontroller RX2.
10 T2IN	Second transmitter input	Accepts TTL/CMOS logic input (0.8 V low / 2.0 V high thresholds) for TX2 path.
11 T1IN	First transmitter input	Direct TTL/CMOS logic input for primary TX path; compatible with 3.3 V or 5 V controllers.
12 R1OUT	First receiver output	Logic-level output for primary RX path; drives MCU UART RX1 with 3.5 V high drive.
13 R1IN	First receiver input	RS-232 line input with 5 kΩ impedance and 0.5 V hysteresis for robust noise rejection.
14 T1OUT	First transmitter output	Primary RS-232 output (±7.8 V) compliant with EIA/TIA-232 and V.28 standards.
15 GND	Analog and digital ground reference	Common return for all internal circuitry; requires low-impedance PCB connection to system ground plane.
16 VCC	Positive supply input	5 V main power input; bypassed with 0.1 µF ceramic capacitor close to pin for noise suppression.

Key Features

Feature	Design Value
Single 5 V supply operation	Eliminates need for ±12 V regulators or separate charge pumps, reducing BOM count and board space by >40 % vs legacy RS-232 transceivers.
Controlled slew rate	7–30 V/µs edge rate limits RF emissions to meet FCC Class B and CISPR 22 requirements without added shielding or filtering.
±30 V receiver input tolerance	Enables direct connection to long RS-232 cables (>15 m) and multi-drop networks without external protection diodes or clamps.
MAX232/MAX202 pin and function compatibility	Allows drop-in replacement in existing designs using SO-16 footprint, preserving layout, firmware, and test infrastructure.
Industrial temperature range (–40 °C to +85 °C)	Validated for continuous operation in uncontrolled ambient environments such as industrial gateways and outdoor kiosks.

Applications

Portable Data Terminals

Low-Power Modems

Use Scenario: Handheld barcode scanners and mobile POS terminals requiring RS-232 connectivity with minimal power draw.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Dual-channel RS-232 level translator enabling bidirectional UART communication between 3.3 V microcontroller and legacy peripherals.

Use Value: 5 mA no-load current extends battery life beyond 100 hours in sleep mode; ±7.8 V swing ensures signal integrity over 5 m cable runs.

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

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Full-duplex RS-232 transceiver handling AT command exchange and data transmission at up to 220 kbps.

Use Value: Controlled slew rate prevents bit errors caused by ringing on long telephone line interfaces; –40 °C rating supports deployment in cold-climate substations.

Industrial Multi-Drop Networks

Interface Translation Modules

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

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Robust receiver front-end with ±30 V tolerance and 5 kΩ input impedance, preventing bus contention and latch-up.

Use Value: Receiver hysteresis (0.5 V) rejects common-mode noise from motor drives and variable-frequency drives in factory settings.

Use Scenario: USB-to-RS-232 adapter modules converting host PC signals to legacy equipment interfaces.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Level-shifting bridge between 3.3 V/5 V USB-UART ICs and EIA/TIA-232 physical layer.

Use Value: SO-16L package allows compact 2-layer PCB design; compatibility with MAX232 simplifies qualification of new adapter SKUs.

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+	Through-hole DIP-16 package; 0 °C to +70 °C temp range; requires 1 µF capacitors.	Best suited for prototyping, lab equipment, and legacy through-hole assemblies.	Select when manual soldering, breadboarding, or temperature-limited environments apply.
SP3222EBCY-L	3.0–5.5 V supply; 1 µA shutdown current; 250 kbps data rate; TSSOP-20 package.	Optimized for ultra-low-power and higher-speed applications with integrated auto-shutdown.	Select when system-level power budget is <100 µA in standby or data rate exceeds 220 kbps is required.

Compared with MAX232CPE+, ST232BWR offers extended temperature range and smaller SO-16L footprint; versus SP3222EBCY-L, it provides lower BOM cost (0.1 µF caps), proven industrial reliability, and direct MAX232 pinout compatibility without redesign.

Availability

ST232BWR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial automation interfaces, portable diagnostic tools, and embedded RS-232 communication modules requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges.

Supply support for ST232BWR 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, microcontroller, power, and sensor solutions for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.

The ST232 series belongs to ST's legacy RS-232 interface product line, engineered specifically to replace ±12 V-dependent transceivers with single-supply, low-component-count alternatives for portable and industrial serial communication.

FAQ

What external capacitors are required for ST232BWR operation?

The ST232BWR requires four 0.1 µF ceramic capacitors (C1–C4) for its internal charge pumps: C1+ and C1− form the voltage doubler; C2+ and C2− form the inverter. These must be placed within 5 mm of their respective pins, use X7R or better dielectric, and avoid electrolytic or tantalum types due to ESR and lifetime constraints.

Does ST232BWR support automatic power-down or shutdown mode?

No, the ST232BWR does not include a shutdown pin or automatic power-down feature. It operates continuously when VCC is applied. For low-power applications requiring idle-state current reduction, external enable circuitry or alternative parts like SP3222EBCY-L (with 1 µA shutdown) should be considered.

Can ST232BWR drive RS-232 lines longer than 15 meters?

Yes - its ±7.8 V output swing and ±30 V receiver tolerance allow reliable operation over 15–20 meter RS-232 cables under typical noise conditions. However, data rate must be reduced below 120 kbps for >15 m runs, and twisted-pair cabling with local termination is recommended to maintain signal integrity.

Is ST232BWR pin-compatible with MAX232 in SO-16 package?

Yes - ST232BWR uses the same SO-16 Large (SO-16L) pinout and electrical behavior as the MAX232 in SO-16 format, including identical C1+/C1−/C2+/C2−, V+/V−, and I/O assignments. No PCB layout change is needed for drop-in replacement in MAX232-based designs.

ST232BWR Specifications

Product attributes: Attribute value

Manufacturer:: STMicroelectronics

Series:: -

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

Packaging:: Tape & Reel (TR)

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

ST232BWR FAQ

1.How can I place an order for ST232BWR through Aetrix?

Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for ST232BWR 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 ST232BWR reliable?

The price and inventory of ST232BWR are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for ST232BWR is usually 5 days.

3.What payment methods are accepted for ST232BWR?

We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for ST232BWR transactions.

Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.

4.How is shipping managed for ST232BWR?

ST232BWR orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.

Once your ST232BWR 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 ST232BWR?

For technical support, including ST232BWR datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your ST232BWR requirements.

6.How does Aetrix verify that ST232BWR is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?

All ST232BWR 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 ST232BWR meets industry standards.

7.What is the process for return or replacement of ST232BWR?

All ST232BWR units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with ST232BWR, 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 ST232BWR part is unused and in its original packaging.

Return procedure for ST232BWR:

1.Submit a request within 90 days.

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

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