Serial Transceivers Pack Much In Little Space

Claimed as the market's smallest, the ISL8307xE3 3V, RS-485/422 transceivers integrate full fail-safe and hot swap capabilities with fractional load (up to 256 nodes) and 15 kV HBM ESD protection in small MSOP packages. Seven devices in the line employ balanced data-transmission schemes that allow data transmissions over long distances and in noisy environments. Features include data rates up to 20 Mb/s, a maximum quiescent supply current of 800 µA, shutdown supply current of 10 nA, common-mode input/output voltage range from −7V to 12V, half- and full-duplex pinouts, tri-state receiver and transmitter outputs, current limiting, and thermal shutdown. The ISL83070E, ISL83071E, ISL83073E, and ISL83076E are full-duplex transceivers while the ISL83072E, ISL83075E, and ISL83078E are half-duplex, all of which support up to 256 devices on the bus. Price is $1.26 each/1,000. INTERSIL CORP., Palm Bay, FL. (888) 468-3774.