ICL3238CA-T RS232 Transceiver Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The ICL3238CA-T is a full-duplex RS232 transceiver manufactured by Renesas Electronics Corporation, configured with 5 drivers and 3 receivers in a 28-SSOP package. This component is classified as obsolete, which necessitates identification of active equivalent and substitute parts for new designs and ongoing production requirements. The part operates across a 3V to 5.5V supply range with a 1Mbps data rate and is suitable for surface mount applications requiring RS232 serial communication interfaces.

Key Parameters

Parameter	ICL3238CA-T
Manufacturer	Renesas Electronics Corporation
Type	Transceiver
Protocol	RS232
Drivers/Receivers	5/3
Duplex	Full
Receiver Hysteresis	500 mV
Data Rate	1 Mbps
Supply Voltage	3V ~ 5.5V
Operating Temperature	0°C ~ 70°C
Package	28-SSOP (0.209", 5.30mm Width)
Mounting Type	Surface Mount
Product Status	Obsolete
RoHS Status	RoHS non-compliant
MSL Rating	1 (Unlimited)

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution of the ICL3238CA-T is determined by the following critical parameters:

Primary Substitution Criteria:

Protocol: RS232
Configuration: 5 drivers / 3 receivers
Duplex mode: Full
Supply voltage range: 3V ~ 5.5V
Package type: 28-SSOP (0.209", 5.30mm Width)
Mounting type: Surface Mount

Secondary Compatibility Factors:

Receiver hysteresis tolerance (300 mV to 600 mV acceptable)
Data rate minimum 250 kbps (ICL3238CA-T operates at 1 Mbps)
Operating temperature range (0°C ~ 70°C minimum)

Parts are grouped into two categories: parametric equivalents (matching all primary criteria with active product status) and similar alternatives (matching core electrical specifications with potential minor parameter variations).

Parameter Comparison

Part Number	Manufacturer	Drivers/Receivers	Data Rate	Receiver Hysteresis	Operating Temp	Package	Product Status	RoHS Status
ICL3238CA-T	Renesas	5/3	1 Mbps	500 mV	0°C ~ 70°C	28-SSOP	Obsolete	Non-compliant
ICL3237ECAZ-T	Renesas	5/3	1 Mbps	500 mV	0°C ~ 70°C	28-SSOP	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
MAX3238CAI+	Analog Devices/Maxim	5/3	250 kbps	500 mV	0°C ~ 70°C	28-SSOP	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
MAX3238CAI+T	Analog Devices/Maxim	5/3	250 kbps	500 mV	0°C ~ 70°C	28-SSOP	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
MAX3238CDB	Texas Instruments	5/3	250 kbps	300 mV	0°C ~ 70°C	28-SSOP	Obsolete	ROHS3 Compliant
MAX3238CDBR	Texas Instruments	5/3	250 kbps	300 mV	0°C ~ 70°C	28-SSOP	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
MAX3238CPW	Texas Instruments	5/3	250 kbps	300 mV	0°C ~ 70°C	28-TSSOP	Obsolete	ROHS3 Compliant
MAX3238CPWR	Texas Instruments	5/3	250 kbps	300 mV	0°C ~ 70°C	28-TSSOP	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
MAX3238EAI+	Analog Devices/Maxim	5/3	250 kbps	300 mV	-40°C ~ 85°C	28-SSOP	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
MAX3238EAI+T	Analog Devices/Maxim	5/3	250 kbps	300 mV	-40°C ~ 85°C	28-SSOP	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
MAX3238ECAI+	Analog Devices/Maxim	5/3	250 kbps	600 mV	0°C ~ 70°C	28-SSOP	Active	ROHS3 Compliant

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Recommended Primary Substitute: ICL3237ECAZ-T

The ICL3237ECAZ-T from Renesas Electronics Corporation is the optimal substitute for the obsolete ICL3238CA-T. This part maintains identical electrical specifications (5/3 configuration, 500 mV receiver hysteresis, 1 Mbps data rate, 3V ~ 5.5V supply, 0°C ~ 70°C operating range) and identical 28-SSOP package geometry. The ICL3237ECAZ-T holds active product status and achieves ROHS3 compliance, addressing regulatory requirements for new production. Tape & Reel packaging is available for high-volume manufacturing.

Alternative Substitutes for Extended Temperature or Compliance Requirements:

The MAX3238 series from Analog Devices/Maxim Integrated and Texas Instruments provides functional equivalence with the following considerations:

MAX3238CAI+ and MAX3238CAI+T: Active status, ROHS3 compliant, 28-SSOP package, 500 mV receiver hysteresis. Data rate reduced to 250 kbps, which remains within RS232 protocol specifications for the ICL3238CA-T application envelope.
MAX3238EAI+ and MAX3238EAI+T: Active status, ROHS3 compliant, extended operating temperature range (-40°C ~ 85°C), 28-SSOP package. Receiver hysteresis 300 mV. Suitable for applications requiring wider temperature operation beyond the original 0°C ~ 70°C specification.
MAX3238CDBR and MAX3238CPWR: Active status, ROHS3 compliant, Texas Instruments manufacture. CDBR maintains 28-SSOP package; CPWR uses 28-TSSOP package (0.173", 4.40mm width). Receiver hysteresis 300 mV. Package geometry difference requires PCB layout verification.
MAX3238ECAI+: Active status, ROHS3 compliant, 600 mV receiver hysteresis for enhanced noise immunity in electrically noisy environments.

Obsolete Parts to Avoid:

MAX3238CDB and MAX3238CPW are classified as obsolete and should not be selected for new designs despite ROHS3 compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can MAX3238 series parts directly replace the ICL3238CA-T without PCB modifications?

A: The MAX3238CAI+, MAX3238CAI+T, MAX3238EAI+, MAX3238EAI+T, and MAX3238ECAI+ maintain the 28-SSOP package footprint (0.209", 5.30mm width) and pin configuration compatible with the ICL3238CA-T. No PCB layout changes are required for these parts. However, MAX3238CPWR and MAX3238CPWR use the 28-TSSOP package (0.173", 4.40mm width), which has a different footprint and requires PCB redesign.

Q: What is the significance of the 250 kbps data rate in MAX3238 parts versus the 1 Mbps specification of the ICL3238CA-T?

A: RS232 protocol operation is functional across the entire range from 250 kbps to 1 Mbps. The ICL3238CA-T maximum data rate of 1 Mbps represents the upper performance limit. MAX3238 parts rated at 250 kbps minimum satisfy RS232 communication requirements for standard serial interfaces operating at conventional baud rates (9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200). Applications requiring data rates above 250 kbps should be evaluated against actual system requirements.

Q: Why is ICL3237ECAZ-T the preferred substitute despite being from the same manufacturer as the obsolete part?

A: The ICL3237ECAZ-T is the direct active-production equivalent from Renesas Electronics Corporation, matching all electrical parameters and package specifications of the ICL3238CA-T while achieving ROHS3 compliance and active product status. This minimizes design risk and supply chain continuity. The part is available in Tape & Reel packaging for production volumes.

Q: Are there differences in receiver hysteresis between substitute options, and does this affect circuit performance?

A: Receiver hysteresis values range from 300 mV (MAX3238 series) to 600 mV (MAX3238ECAI+) across available substitutes. The ICL3238CA-T specifies 500 mV. Hysteresis determines the voltage differential required for input signal transitions and affects noise immunity. Lower hysteresis (300 mV) provides faster response to marginal signal levels; higher hysteresis (600 mV) provides enhanced noise rejection. Selection depends on signal integrity requirements in the target application environment.

Q: What is the impact of operating temperature range differences between substitutes?

A: The ICL3238CA-T operates across 0°C ~ 70°C. MAX3238EAI+ and MAX3238EAI+T extend this to -40°C ~ 85°C, suitable for industrial and automotive applications. All other substitutes maintain the 0°C ~ 70°C range. Temperature range selection must align with the end-application environment specifications.

Q: Does RoHS compliance status affect part selection for new designs?

A: ROHS3 compliance is mandatory for products sold into European Union markets and increasingly required by global OEMs. The ICL3238CA-T is RoHS non-compliant. All recommended substitutes (ICL3237ECAZ-T, MAX3238 series) achieve ROHS3 compliance, eliminating regulatory risk for new production designs.

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

A: ICL3237ECAZ-T is supplied in Tape & Reel (TR) packaging. MAX3238CAI+T and MAX3238EAI+T are available in Tape & Reel format. MAX3238CDBR and MAX3238CPWR use Cut Tape (CT) & Digi-Reel® packaging. Tube packaging is available for lower-volume requirements across multiple manufacturers. Packaging selection impacts assembly automation compatibility and cost structure.

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