The Intersil ICL32xxE devices are 3.0V to 5.5V powered
RS-232 transmitters/receivers which meet ElA/TIA-232
and V.28/V.24 specifications, even at VCC = 3.0V.
Additionally, they provide ±15kV ESD protection
(IEC61000-4-2 Air Gap and Human Body Model) on
transmitter outputs and receiver inputs (RS-232 pins).
Targeted applications are PDAs, Palmtops, and notebook
and laptop computers where the low operational, and
even lower standby, power consumption is critical.
Efficient on-chip charge pumps, coupled with manual and
automatic power-down functions (except for the
ICL3232E), reduce the standby supply current to a 1µA
trickle. Small footprint packaging, and the use of small,
low value capacitors ensure board space savings as well.
Data rates greater than 250kbps are guaranteed at worst
case load conditions. This family is fully compatible with
3.3V-only systems, mixed 3.3V and 5.0V systems, and
5.0V-only systems.
The ICL324XE are 3-driver, 5-receiver devices that
provide a complete serial port suitable for laptop or
notebook computers. Both devices also include
noninverting always-active receivers for “wake-up”
capability.
The ICL3221E, ICL3223E and ICL3243E, feature an
automatic power-down function which powers down
the on-chip power-supply and driver circuits. This occurs
when an attached peripheral device is shut off or the
RS-232 cable is removed, conserving system power
automatically without changes to the hardware or
operating system. These devices power up again when a
valid RS-232 voltage is applied to any receiver input.
Table 1 summarizes the features of the devices
represented by this data sheet, while Application Note
AN9863 summarizes the features of each device
comprising the ICL32xxE 3V family.

Features
• ESD Protection for RS-232 I/O Pins to ±15kV
(IEC61000)
• Drop in Replacements for MAX3221E, MAX3222E,
MAX3223E, MAX3232E, MAX3241E, MAX3243E,
SP3243E
• ICL3221E is a Low Power, Pin Compatible Upgrade
for 5V MAX221E
• ICL3222E is a Low Power, Pin Compatible Upgrade
for 5V MAX242E, and SP312E
• ICL3232E is a Low Power Upgrade for HIN232E,
ICL232 and Pin Compatible Competitor Devices
• RS-232 Compatible with VCC = 2.7V
• Meets EIA/TIA-232 and V.28/V.24 Specifications at 3V
• Latch-Up Free
• On-Chip Voltage Converters Require Only Four
External 0.1µF Capacitors
• Manual and Automatic Power-Down Features
• Guaranteed Mouse Driveability (ICL324xE Only)
• Receiver Hysteresis For Improved Noise Immunity
• Guaranteed Minimum Data Rate. . . . . . . . 250kbps
• Wide Power Supply Range . . . . Single +3V to +5.5V
• Low Supply Current in Power-Down State . . . . . 1µA
• Pb-Free Available (RoHS Compliant)

Applications
• Any System Requiring RS-232 Communication Ports
- Battery Powered, Hand-Held, and Portable
Equipment
- Laptop Computers, Notebooks, Palmtops
- Modems, Printers and other Peripherals
- Digital Cameras
- Cellular/Mobile Phones