Transceivers drop in to extend serial comms

A new family of Linearlink RS485/RS422 high-performance data transceivers provide longer reach and higher data integrity than most competing products.

A new family of Linearlink RS485/RS422 high-performance data transceivers provide longer reach and higher data integrity than most competing products.

Intersil's new ISL8485, ISL8490 and ISL8491 are high-datarate RS485/RS422 transceivers offering up to 5Mbit/s datarates with improved peak-to-peak signal swing.

Typical applications for these new ICs include factory automation, security networks, KVM switching, industrial/process control networks (eg Fieldbus), building environmental control systems, HVAC control systems, level translators and RS232 "extension cords".

The introduction of these three RS485/RS422 ICs marks the expansion of Intersil's Linearlink family into the differential datacommunications arena.

"As leaders in the RS232 markets, we have combined our design experience and manufacturing expertise to develop high-datarate differential transceivers that offer a wider signal swing over longer distance to yield a higher data integrity than the competing products they are designed to replace", said Mamoon Rashid, Director of Marketing for Intersil's Analogue Solutions Products.

The ISL8485, ISL8490 and ISL8491 are high-performance drop-in replacements for conventional devices of similar nomenclature.

These new-generation transceivers offer designers an upgrade in performance and signal integrity, especially for long-run applications, and are guaranteed to operate over a +/-10% supply range - that's twice the range offered by most competing ICs.

The -85 is a half-duplex transceiver offering multiplexed receiver inputs and driver outputs to support receive and transmit disable functions, all in an 8-lead package.

The -90 and -91 devices operate full-duplex with simultaneous transmit and receive.

All three of Intersil's new-generation high-performance RS485/RS422 transceivers boast of a mere 300uA of quiescent current, a 7 to +12V common-mode input voltage range and Class 3 ESD protection (greater than 7kV HBM) on all pins.

Both driver output current and thermal limiting protection features are built into each IC.

Package options matching competing products include 8- and 14-lead SOIC and PDIP to accommodate drop-in compatibility.

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