ICL3223CA-T RS232 Transceiver Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The ICL3223CA-T is a 2/2 full-duplex RS232 transceiver manufactured by Renesas Electronics Corporation in a 20-SSOP surface mount package. This component is classified as obsolete, making equivalent and substitute parts necessary for ongoing design support and production continuity. The ICL3223CA-T operates across a 3V to 5.5V supply range with a 250kbps data rate and 300mV receiver hysteresis, suitable for legacy serial communication applications requiring full RS232 protocol compliance.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value
Manufacturer Part Number	ICL3223CA-T
Manufacturer	Renesas Electronics Corporation
Type	Transceiver
Protocol	RS232
Number of Drivers/Receivers	2/2
Duplex	Full
Receiver Hysteresis	300 mV
Data Rate	250kbps
Voltage - Supply	3V ~ 5.5V
Operating Temperature	0°C ~ 70°C
Mounting Type	Surface Mount
Package / Case	20-SSOP (0.209", 5.30mm Width)
Product Status	Obsolete
RoHS Status	RoHS non-compliant
Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL)	1 (Unlimited)

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution for the ICL3223CA-T is determined by strict adherence to the following electrical and mechanical parameters:

Critical Matching Parameters:

Protocol: RS232 (full-duplex, 2/2 driver/receiver configuration)
Package: 20-SSOP with identical 5.30mm width
Supply Voltage Range: 3V ~ 5.5V
Mounting Type: Surface Mount
Pin-compatible footprint

Allowable Variations:

Receiver Hysteresis: 300mV to 500mV (within RS232 specification tolerance)
Data Rate: 120kbps to 500kbps (all exceed minimum RS232 requirements)
Operating Temperature: Extended range (-40°C to 85°C) is acceptable for 0°C to 70°C applications
Product Status: Active parts are preferred over obsolete; obsolete parts remain functionally equivalent
RoHS Compliance: ROHS3 compliant parts are acceptable replacements for non-compliant originals

Non-Substitutable Parameters:

Package type and pin count must remain identical
RS232 protocol compliance is mandatory
2/2 transceiver configuration is required

Parameter Comparison

Part Number	Manufacturer	Protocol	Drivers/Receivers	Receiver Hysteresis	Data Rate	Supply Voltage	Operating Temp	Package	Product Status	RoHS Status
ICL3223CA-T	Renesas	RS232	2/2	300 mV	250kbps	3V ~ 5.5V	0°C ~ 70°C	20-SSOP	Obsolete	Non-compliant
MAX3223ECDB	Texas Instruments	RS232	2/2	500 mV	500kbps	3V ~ 5.5V	0°C ~ 70°C	20-SSOP	Obsolete	ROHS3 Compliant
MAX3223ECDBR	Texas Instruments	RS232	2/2	500 mV	500kbps	3V ~ 5.5V	0°C ~ 70°C	20-SSOP	Obsolete	ROHS3 Compliant
TRS3223ECDBR	Texas Instruments	RS232	2/2	500 mV	500kbps	3V ~ 5.5V	0°C ~ 70°C	20-SSOP	Obsolete	ROHS3 Compliant
MAX3223EIDB	Texas Instruments	RS232	2/2	500 mV	500kbps	3V ~ 5.5V	-40°C ~ 85°C	20-SSOP	Obsolete	ROHS3 Compliant
MAX3223EIDBR	Texas Instruments	RS232	2/2	500 mV	500kbps	3V ~ 5.5V	-40°C ~ 85°C	20-SSOP	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
SP3223EEA-L	MaxLinear, Inc.	RS232	2/2	300 mV	235Kbps	3V ~ 5.5V	-40°C ~ 85°C	20-SSOP	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
SP3223EEA-L/TR	MaxLinear, Inc.	RS232	2/2	300 mV	235Kbps	3V ~ 5.5V	-40°C ~ 85°C	20-SSOP	Active	RoHS Compliant
MAX3223CAP+	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated	RS232	2/2	300 mV	120Kbps	3V ~ 5.5V	0°C ~ 70°C	20-SSOP	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
MAX3223CAP+T	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated	RS232	2/2	300 mV	120Kbps	3V ~ 5.5V	0°C ~ 70°C	20-SSOP	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
MAX3223CDB	Texas Instruments	RS232	2/2	500 mV	250kbps	3V ~ 5.5V	0°C ~ 70°C	20-SSOP	Obsolete	ROHS3 Compliant

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Direct Substitutes (Identical Operating Temperature Range):

MAX3223ECDB, MAX3223ECDBR, and TRS3223ECDBR maintain the 0°C to 70°C operating temperature specification of the ICL3223CA-T while providing enhanced data rate capability (500kbps vs. 250kbps) and ROHS3 compliance. These parts are functionally equivalent with allowable receiver hysteresis variation (500mV vs. 300mV, both within RS232 specification). All three are pin-compatible 20-SSOP packages. MAX3223ECDBR and TRS3223ECDBR offer Cut Tape and Digi-Reel packaging options suitable for automated assembly.

MAX3223CDB provides identical data rate (250kbps) and operating temperature range with ROHS3 compliance, making it the closest functional match to the original ICL3223CA-T specification.

Upgraded Substitutes (Extended Operating Temperature):

MAX3223EIDB and MAX3223EIDBR extend the operating temperature range to -40°C to 85°C, providing enhanced thermal performance for applications requiring wider environmental tolerance. MAX3223EIDBR is currently in active production status, ensuring long-term availability. Both maintain 500kbps data rate and ROHS3 compliance with identical 20-SSOP packaging.

Active Production Alternatives:

SP3223EEA-L and SP3223EEA-L/TR (MaxLinear) are active production parts with extended temperature range (-40°C to 85°C) and matching 300mV receiver hysteresis. Data rate is specified at 235Kbps, which remains within acceptable RS232 performance parameters. SP3223EEA-L/TR offers Tape & Reel packaging for high-volume production environments.

MAX3223CAP+ and MAX3223CAP+T (Analog Devices/Maxim) are active production alternatives with matching 300mV hysteresis and 0°C to 70°C operating range. Data rate specification of 120Kbps is lower than the original but remains compliant with RS232 protocol requirements. These parts are suitable for applications where lower data rates are acceptable.

Product Status Consideration:

For new designs or long-term production continuity, MAX3223EIDBR or SP3223EEA-L/TR are recommended due to active production status and extended temperature range. For direct replacement in existing designs with identical thermal requirements, MAX3223CDB or MAX3223ECDBR provide the closest electrical match.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can MAX3223EIDBR replace ICL3223CA-T in existing designs?

A: Yes. MAX3223EIDBR is pin-compatible in the 20-SSOP package and maintains RS232 2/2 transceiver functionality. The extended operating temperature range (-40°C to 85°C) is a superset of the original 0°C to 70°C specification. Higher data rate (500kbps vs. 250kbps) and increased receiver hysteresis (500mV vs. 300mV) are within RS232 specification tolerances and do not affect compatibility.

Q: What is the difference between MAX3223ECDB and MAX3223ECDBR?

A: Both are functionally identical Texas Instruments MAX3223 variants with 500mV receiver hysteresis and 500kbps data rate. The primary difference is packaging: MAX3223ECDB is supplied in Tube packaging, while MAX3223ECDBR is supplied in Cut Tape and Digi-Reel format. Selection depends on assembly process requirements.

Q: Why do some substitutes have lower data rates (120Kbps vs. 250Kbps)?

A: RS232 protocol does not mandate specific data rate performance. Parts specified at 120Kbps, 235Kbps, 250Kbps, or 500Kbps all meet RS232 electrical and timing requirements. Lower-rated parts remain fully compatible with applications using the original 250Kbps specification, as they exceed minimum protocol requirements.

Q: Is RoHS compliance required for substitution?

A: RoHS compliance is not a functional requirement for electrical substitution. However, ROHS3 compliant alternatives (MAX3223EIDBR, SP3223EEA-L/TR, MAX3223CAP+, MAX3223CAP+T) are recommended for new designs and applications subject to environmental regulations.

Q: Can SP3223EEA-L replace ICL3223CA-T?

A: Yes. SP3223EEA-L is a MaxLinear RS232 2/2 transceiver in 20-SSOP packaging with matching 300mV receiver hysteresis. The 235Kbps data rate specification is lower than the original 250Kbps but remains within RS232 compliance. Extended temperature range (-40°C to 85°C) provides additional thermal margin. This part is in active production.

Q: What packaging options are available for high-volume production?

A: MAX3223ECDBR, TRS3223ECDBR, and SP3223EEA-L/TR are supplied in Cut Tape and Digi-Reel or Tape & Reel formats suitable for automated pick-and-place assembly. These options are preferred for production environments requiring continuous component feed.

Q: Are all substitute parts pin-compatible with ICL3223CA-T?

A: Yes. All listed substitutes maintain the 20-SSOP package with identical 5.30mm width and pin configuration, ensuring direct PCB footprint compatibility without layout modifications.

Request Quote (Ships tomorrow)

Part Number

Quantity

Company

Contact Name

E-mail

Message