Serial Programming/MAX232 Driver

Receiver

MAX232 Driver/Receiver

Applicability

This module is primary of interest for people building their own electronics with an RS-232
interface. Off-the-shelf computers with RS-232 interfaces already contain the necessary
electronics, and there is no need to add the circuitry as described here.

Introduction

Logic Signal Voltage

Serial RS-232 (V.24) communication works with voltages (between -15V ... -3V are used to
transmit a binary '1' and +3V ... +15V to transmit a binary '0') which are not compatible with
today's computer logic voltages. On the other hand, classic TTL computer logic operates
between 0V ... +5V (roughly 0V ... +0.8V referred to as low for binary '0', +2V ... +5V for high
binary '1' ). Modern low-power logic operates in the range of 0V ... +3.3V or even lower.

So, the maximum RS-232 signal levels are far too high for today's computer logic electronics,
and the negative RS-232 voltage can't be grokked at all by the computer logic. Therefore, to
receive serial data from an RS-232 interface the voltage has to be reduced, and the 0 and 1
voltage levels inverted. In the other direction (sending data from some logic over RS-232) the
low logic voltage has to be "bumped up", and a negative voltage has to be generated, too.

RS-232 TTL Logic

-----------------------------------------------
-15V ... -3V <-> +2V ... +5V <-> 1
+3V ... +15V <-> 0V ... +0.8V <-> 0
All this can be done with conventional analog electronics, e.g. a particular power supply and a
couple of transistors or the once popular 1488 (transmitter) and 1489 (receiver) ICs. However,
since more than a decade it has become standard in amateur electronics to do the necessary
signal level conversion with an integrated circuit (IC) from the MAX232 family (typically a
MAX232A or some clone). In fact, it is hard to find some RS-232 circuitry in amateur
electronics without a MAX232A or some clone.

[edit] The MAX232 & MAX232A

The MAX232 from Maxim was the first IC which in one package
contains the necessary drivers (two) and receivers (also two), to adapt the RS-232 signal voltage
levels to TTL logic. It became popular, because it just needs one voltage (+5V) and generates the
necessary RS-232 voltage levels (approx. -10V and +10V) internally. This greatly simplified the
design of circuitry. Circuitry designers no longer need to design and build a power supply with
three voltages (e.g. -12V, +5V, and +12V), but could just provide one +5V power supply, e.g.
with the help of a simple 78x05 voltage converter.

The MAX232 has a successor, the MAX232A. The ICs are almost identical, however, the
MAX232A is much more often used (and easier to get) than the original MAX232, and the
MAX232A only needs external capacitors 1/10th the capacity of what the original MAX232
needs.

It should be noted that the MAX232(A) is just a driver/receiver. It does not generate the
necessary RS-232 sequence of marks and spaces with the right timing, it does not decode the RS-
232 signal, it does not provide a serial/parallel conversion. All it does is to convert signal
voltage levels. Generating serial data with the right timing and decoding serial data has to be
done by additional circuitry, e.g. by a 16550 UART or one of these small micro controllers (e.g.
Atmel AVR, Microchip PIC) getting more and more popular.

The MAX232 and MAX232A were once rather expensive ICs, but today they are cheap. It has
also helped that many companies now produce clones (ie. Sipex). These clones sometimes need
different external circuitry, e.g. the capacities of the external capacitors vary. It is recommended
to check the data sheet of the particular manufacturer of an IC instead of relying on Maxim's
original data sheet.

The original manufacturer (and now some clone manufacturers, too) offers a large series of
similar ICs, with different numbers of receivers and drivers, voltages, built-in or external
capacitors, etc. E.g. The MAX232 and MAX232A need external capacitors for the internal
voltage pump, while the MAX233 has these capacitors built-in. The MAX233 is also between
three and ten times more expensive in electronic shops than the MAX232A because of its
internal capacitors. It is also more difficult to get the MAX233 than the garden variety
MAX232A.

A similar IC, the MAX3232 is nowadays available for low-power 3V logic.

MAX232(A) DIP Package

+---v---+
C1+ -|1 16|- Vcc
V+ -|2 15|- GND
C1- -|3 14|- T1out
C2+ -|4 13|- R1in
C2- -|5 12|- R1out
V- -|6 11|- T1in
T2out -|7 10|- T2in
R2in -|8 9|- R2out
+-------+
MAX232(A) DIP Package Pin Layout
Capacitor Value Capacitor Value
Nbr Name Purpose Signal Voltage
MAX232 MAX232A
+ connector for capacitor should stand
1 C1+ 1µF 100nF
capacitor C1 at least 16V
+10V, capacitor
output of voltage
2 V+ should stand at least 1µF to VCC 100nF to VCC
pump
16V
- connector for capacitor should stand
3 C1- 1µF 100nF
capacitor C1 at least 16V
+ connector for capacitor should stand
4 C2+ 1µF 100nF
capacitor C2 at least 16V
- connector for capacitor should stand
5 C2- 1µF 100nF
capacitor C2 at least 16V
-10V, capacitor
output of voltage
6 V- should stand at least 1µF to GND 100nF to GND
pump / inverter
16V
7 T2out Driver 2 output RS-232
8 R2in Receiver 2 input RS-232
9 R2out Receiver 2 output TTL
10 T2in Driver 2 input TTL
11 T1in Driver 1 input TTL
12 R1out Receiver 1 output TTL
13 R1in Receiver 1 input RS-232
14 T1out Driver 1 output RS-232
15 GND Ground 0V 1µF to VCC 100nF to VCC
16 VCC Power supply +5V see above see above

V+(2) is also connected to VCC via a capacitor (C3). V-(6) is connected to GND via a capacitor
(C4). And GND(16) and VCC(15) are also connected by a capacitor (C5), as close as possible to
the pins.

[edit] A Typical Application

The MAX232(A) has two receivers (converts from RS-232 to TTL voltage levels) and two
drivers (converts from TTL logic to RS-232 voltage levels). This means only two of the RS-232
signals can be converted in each direction. The old MC1488/1498 combo provided four drivers
and receivers.

Typically a pair of a driver/receiver of the MAX232 is used for

 TX and RX

and the second one for

 CTS and RTS.

There are not enough drivers/receivers in the MAX232 to also connect the DTR, DSR, and DCD
signals. Usually these signals can be omitted when e.g. communicating with a PC's serial
interface. If the DTE really requires these signals either a second MAX232 is needed, or some
other IC from the MAX232 family can be used (if it can be found in consumer electronic shops
at all). An alternative for DTR/DSR is also given below.

Maxim's data sheet explains the MAX232 family in great detail, including the pin configuration
and how to connect such an IC to external circuitry. This information can be used as-is in own
design to get a working RS-232 interface. Maxim's data just misses one critical piece of
information: How exactly to connect the RS-232 signals to the IC. So here is one possible
example:
 MAX232 to RS232 DB9 Connection as a DCE
MAX232 Pin Nbr. MAX232 Pin Name Signal Voltage DB9 Pin
7 T2out RTS RS-232 8
8 R2in CTS RS-232 7
9 R2out CTS TTL n/a
10 T2in RTS TTL n/a
11 T1in TX TTL n/a
12 R1out RX TTL n/a
13 R1in TX RS-232 3
14 T1out RX RS-232 2
15 GND GND 0 5

In addition one can directly wire DTR (DB9 pin 4) to DSR (DB9 pin 6) without going through
any circuitry. This gives automatic (brain dead) DSR acknowledgment of an incoming DTR
signal.Sometimes pin 6 of the MAX232 is hard wired to DCD (DB9 pin 1). This is not
recommended. Pin 6 is the raw output of the voltage pump and inverter for the -10V voltage.
Drawing currents from the pin leads to a rapid breakdown of the voltage, and as a consequence
to a breakdown of the output voltage of the two RS-232 drivers. It is better to use software which
doesn't care about DCD, but does hardware-handshaking via CTS/RTS only. The circuitry is
completed by connecting five capacitors to the IC as it follows. The MAX232 needs 1.0µF
capacitors, the MAX232A needs 0.1µF capacitors. MAX232 clones show similar differences. It
is recommended to consult the corresponding data sheet. At least 16V capacitor types should be
used. If electrolytic or tantalic capacitors are used, the polarity has to be observed. The first pin
as listed in the following table is always where the plus pole of the capacitor should be connected
to.

MAX232(A) external Capacitors

Capacitor + Pin - Pin Remark
C1 1 3
C2 4 5
C3 2 16
This looks non-intuitive, but because pin 6 is on -10V, GND gets the +
C4 GND 6
connector, and not the -
C5 16 GND
The 5V power supply is connected to

 +5V: Pin 16
 GND: Pin 15

[edit] Alternatives

[edit] Data Cables

With the rise of mobile phones so called data cables for these phones have also become popular.
These are cables to connect the mobile phone to a serial interface of a computer[1]. The
interesting thing is that modern mobile phones work with 3.3V logic, and older phones with 5V
logic on their data buses. So these data cables must and do convert the phone logic voltage levels
to and from RS232 voltage levels.

No-name data cables have become rather cheap (as opposite to original phone-brand data
cables). The cheap cables with their voltage converters can be used as an alternative to home-
made MAX232-based circuitry. The advantage is that the cables occupy much less space (the
converter is usually inside the RS232 plug). Such a cable also saves the effort to solder a
circuitry board. Another advantage, which can also be a disadvantage of such a data cable is that
they usually take their power from the RS232 connector. This saves an external power supply,
but can also cause problems, because the RS232 interface is not designed to power some logic
and the DTE might not provide enough power[2]. Another disadvantage is that many of these
cables just support RX and TX (one receiver, one driver), and not two drivers/receivers as the
MAX232. So there is no hardware handshake possible. Finally, when using such a cable it
should be made sure that they convert to the desired voltage (3.3V or 5V).

1. ^  There are also data cables for USB ports, but these are of no interest here.
2. ^  Some data cables are powered by the phone and not via the RS232 interface. In such a
case an external power supply is still needed, to replace the one from the phone.

[edit] (Ab)using a USB <-> RS-232 Converter

USB to Serial interface cables often have two components: a USB transciever that outputs serial
data; and a voltage shifter to produce standards-compliant RS-232 voltages. It is often possible to
throw away (ignore, desolder, cut-out) the USB part of these cables, connect an external 5V
power source (or abuse the RS-232 interface) to replace the power coming from the USB bus and
to just use the RS-232 level-shifter. All this is probably as much work as using a MAX232A,
although you get one RS-232 connector for free.

If you consider a USB cable, it is also worthwhile to consider using USB directly, instead of RS-
232. Many USB transceiver chips can be integrated directly into circuits, eliminating the need for
voltage-shifting components. Parts such as the FTDI FT232BM even have an input allowing
designers to select 5V or 3.3V output levels. Most of these USB transceiver chips are available
as surface-mount components only. But some vendors offer DIP-sized preassembled modules,
often at competitive prices, and often with free or cheap drivers or driver development
environments.

See Serial Programming:Universal Serial Bus for more on USB hardware, interfacing with USB
devices and programming USB devices.

[edit] MAX232N

A Texas Instruments MAX232 (not A) second-source. The N indicates the package (plastic dip),
and not any special electric characteristics. This is a non-A MAX232, therefore it needs at least
1µF capacitors. In can sometimes be found rather cheap. TI also offers MAX3232s and a number
of other RS-232 drivers/receivers, like MC148x.

[edit] Linear Technology LT1181A

The LT1181A from Linear Technology is very similar to the MAX232A. It has the exact same
pin-layout, also uses 0.1µF capacitors, and can in general replace a MAX232A. However, for the
hobbyist it is typically a little bit more difficult to get one, and they tend to be slightly more
expensive than the original Maxim MAX232A.

[edit] Intersil HIN202

The Intersil HIN202 is yet another IC very similar to the MAX232A. It also has the same pin-
layout (DIL package), uses 0.1 µF capacitors and can replace a MAX232A. The HIN202 is
especially interesting when more I/O lines are needed (four pairs), since the manufacturer
specifies that two HIN202's can share a single V+ and a single V- capacitor. So the resulting
circuit saves two capacitors.

[edit] MC148x

The MC1488/MC1489 ICs have already been mentioned. However, they are no real alternative
to a MAX232 these days. A combo of these ICs has twice as many drivers/receivers, but the
MC1488 driver requires a +12V, -12V power supply, and the MC1489 receiver a +5V power
supply. That makes three power supplies instead of one for the MAX232. It is recommended to
either use several MAX232s, or another IC from the MAX family if more drivers/receivers are
needed, like the MAX238.