STMicroelectronics ST232ECWR

Overview

ST232ECWR from STMicroelectronics is a ±15 kV ESD-protected, single-supply 5 V RS-232 transceiver with two drivers and two receivers, guaranteed 230 kbps data rate, 3–30 V/µs slew rate, and operation across –40 to 85 °C. It interfaces microcontrollers to legacy serial ports in industrial control panels, point-of-sale terminals, and medical diagnostic equipment requiring robust ESD immunity.

For engineers reviewing the ST232ECWR datasheet, ST232ECWR pinout, ST232ECWR application, or ST232ECWR equivalent, key selection criteria include ESD tolerance on RS-232 I/O pins, guaranteed slew rate for noise suppression, capacitor count (four 1 µF), thermal resistance in TSSOP16, and compatibility with TTL/CMOS logic levels.

Technical Context

The ST232ECWR implements charge-pump voltage conversion to generate ±10 V RS-232 compliant output swings from a single 5 V supply, using four external 1 µF capacitors. Its dual transmitter/receiver architecture supports full-duplex asynchronous communication while meeting EIA/TIA-232E and CCITT V.28 specifications.

ESD protection is integrated at all RS-232 I/O pins (R1IN, R2IN, T1OUT, T2OUT) per Human Body Model (±15 kV), enabling direct connection to unshielded cables in electrically noisy environments without external TVS diodes.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

ST232ECWR is housed in a 16-pin TSSOP package (JEDEC MO-153, 5.0 × 6.4 mm footprint), optimized for thermal performance (R_thJA = 95 °C/W on 2-layer board) and automated assembly.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with ST232ECWR, MAX3232ESE+ increases supply current and requires smaller capacitors, while SP3232EEN-L adds shutdown capability at the cost of added control pin routing-making ST232ECWR optimal for cost-sensitive, always-on industrial interfaces.

Availability

ST232ECWR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial PLC serial interfaces, medical diagnostic equipment, and point-of-sale terminals requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and high-volume production cycles.

Supply support for ST232ECWR 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 microcontrollers, power ICs, sensors, and analog/mixed-signal devices for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.

The ST232ECWR belongs to ST's RS-232 transceiver product line, engineered specifically for ruggedized serial communication in harsh electrical environments where ESD resilience and guaranteed timing performance are mandatory.

FAQ

What is the minimum and maximum supply voltage for ST232ECWR?

The ST232ECWR operates from a single 5 V supply with a specified range of 4.5 V to 5.5 V (±10%). Absolute maximum VCC is 6 V; operation outside the recommended range may cause undefined behavior or permanent damage per Table 2 of the datasheet.

Can ST232ECWR replace ST202EC in an existing design?

No-ST232ECWR requires four 1 µF external capacitors, whereas ST202EC uses four 0.1 µF capacitors. Substituting without modifying the capacitor values will result in insufficient charge pump output voltage and failure to meet RS-232 voltage swing requirements.

Does ST232ECWR support automatic power-down or shutdown mode?

No. The ST232ECWR has no enable or shutdown pin and draws continuous supply current (5–10 mA typical) whenever VCC is applied. For low-power applications, consider SP3232EEN-L or MAX3232ESE+ with shutdown functionality.

What is the thermal resistance (R_thJA) of the TSSOP16 package?

The ST232ECWR in TSSOP16 has a junction-to-ambient thermal resistance of 95 °C/W on a 2-layer PCB, as specified in Table 12. This value assumes standard JEDEC test conditions and must be factored into ambient temperature derating for continuous operation at full load.