MAX201EWE RS232 Transceiver Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The MAX201EWE is a 2/2 full-duplex RS232 transceiver manufactured by Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated, housed in a 16-SOIC surface mount package. This interface IC operates across a 4.5V to 5.5V supply range with a 120 Kbps data rate and 500 mV receiver hysteresis, designed for serial communication applications requiring full RS232 protocol compliance.

The MAX201EWE is classified as obsolete. Identifying equivalent and substitute parts is necessary to maintain design continuity, ensure supply chain availability, and support legacy system maintenance or redesign initiatives.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value
Manufacturer Part Number	MAX201EWE
Manufacturer	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated
Type	Transceiver
Protocol	RS232
Number of Drivers/Receivers	2/2
Duplex	Full
Data Rate	120 Kbps
Voltage - Supply	4.5V ~ 5.5V
Operating Temperature	-40°C ~ 85°C
Receiver Hysteresis	500 mV
Mounting Type	Surface Mount
Package / Case	16-SOIC (0.295", 7.50mm Width)
Product Status	Obsolete
RoHS Status	RoHS non-compliant
Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL)	1 (Unlimited)

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution eligibility for the MAX201EWE is determined by strict equivalence across the following critical parameters:

Protocol: RS232
Number of Drivers/Receivers: 2/2
Duplex Mode: Full
Data Rate: 120 Kbps
Voltage Supply Range: 4.5V ~ 5.5V
Operating Temperature Range: -40°C ~ 85°C
Receiver Hysteresis: 500 mV
Package / Case: 16-SOIC (0.295", 7.50mm Width)
Mounting Type: Surface Mount

All substitute parts listed maintain these electrical and mechanical specifications. Differences in product status, RoHS compliance, and moisture sensitivity level are noted but do not affect functional equivalence for applications where the main part specifications are required.

Parameter Comparison

Part Number	Manufacturer	Protocol	Drivers/Receivers	Data Rate	Supply Voltage	Operating Temp	Package	Product Status	RoHS Status	MSL
MAX201EWE	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated	RS232	2/2	120 Kbps	4.5V ~ 5.5V	-40°C ~ 85°C	16-SOIC	Obsolete	RoHS non-compliant	1 (Unlimited)
MAX201EWE+	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated	RS232	2/2	120 Kbps	4.5V ~ 5.5V	-40°C ~ 85°C	16-SOIC	Active	ROHS3 Compliant	1 (Unlimited)
MAX202EEWE+	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated	RS232	2/2	120 Kbps	4.5V ~ 5.5V	-40°C ~ 85°C	16-SOIC	Active	ROHS3 Compliant	1 (Unlimited)
MAX202EWE+	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated	RS232	2/2	120 Kbps	4.5V ~ 5.5V	-40°C ~ 85°C	16-SOIC	Active	ROHS3 Compliant	1 (Unlimited)
MAX220EWE+	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated	RS232	2/2	120 Kbps	4.5V ~ 5.5V	-40°C ~ 85°C	16-SOIC	Active	ROHS3 Compliant	1 (Unlimited)
MAX232EEWE+	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated	RS232	2/2	120 Kbps	4.5V ~ 5.5V	-40°C ~ 85°C	16-SOIC	Active	ROHS3 Compliant	1 (Unlimited)
MAX232EWE+	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated	RS232	2/2	120 Kbps	4.5V ~ 5.5V	-40°C ~ 85°C	16-SOIC	Active	ROHS3 Compliant	1 (Unlimited)
HIN202IBZ	Renesas Electronics Corporation	RS232	2/2	120 Kbps	4.5V ~ 5.5V	-40°C ~ 85°C	16-SOIC	Active	ROHS3 Compliant	3 (168 Hours)
HIN232IBZ	Renesas Electronics Corporation	RS232	2/2	120 Kbps	4.5V ~ 5.5V	-40°C ~ 85°C	16-SOIC	Active	ROHS3 Compliant	2 (1 Year)
MAX202IDW	Texas Instruments	RS232	2/2	120 Kbps	4.5V ~ 5.5V	-40°C ~ 85°C	16-SOIC	Obsolete	ROHS3 Compliant	1 (Unlimited)
MAX232IDW	Texas Instruments	RS232	2/2	120 Kbps	4.5V ~ 5.5V	-40°C ~ 85°C	16-SOIC	Last Time Buy	ROHS3 Compliant	1 (Unlimited)

Engineering Selection Recommendations

For applications requiring direct functional replacement of the MAX201EWE, the following selection criteria apply:

Active Product Status Priority: MAX201EWE+, MAX202EEWE+, MAX202EWE+, MAX220EWE+, MAX232EEWE+, MAX232EWE+, HIN202IBZ, and HIN232IBZ are all active products from their respective manufacturers. These parts offer superior supply chain availability and ongoing manufacturer support compared to the obsolete MAX201EWE.

RoHS Compliance: All substitute parts except the main MAX201EWE are ROHS3 compliant, meeting modern environmental and regulatory requirements. This is significant for new designs or systems requiring RoHS certification.

Manufacturer Continuity: Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated substitutes (MAX201EWE+, MAX202 series, MAX220EWE+, MAX232 series) maintain the same manufacturer as the original part, ensuring consistent design heritage and support documentation. Renesas Electronics Corporation (HIN202IBZ, HIN232IBZ) and Texas Instruments (MAX202IDW, MAX232IDW) alternatives provide cross-manufacturer equivalence with identical electrical specifications.

Moisture Sensitivity Considerations: The original MAX201EWE and most Analog Devices substitutes carry MSL 1 (Unlimited), indicating no moisture sensitivity constraints. Renesas parts carry higher MSL ratings (MSL 2 or 3), requiring appropriate handling and storage protocols during manufacturing and assembly.

Supply Availability: Current inventory levels vary across substitutes. Selection should account for both immediate availability and long-term supply chain strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can MAX201EWE+ be used as a direct replacement for MAX201EWE?

A: Yes. MAX201EWE+ maintains identical electrical specifications, package configuration, and pin compatibility. The primary differences are active product status and ROHS3 compliance. No circuit modifications are required.

Q: What is the difference between MAX202 and MAX232 variants?

A: Both MAX202 and MAX232 series maintain the same 2/2 full-duplex RS232 transceiver specifications as the MAX201EWE. All variants operate at 120 Kbps with 4.5V to 5.5V supply and -40°C to 85°C temperature range. Selection between these series depends on manufacturer preference and supply availability rather than functional differences.

Q: Are Renesas HIN202IBZ and HIN232IBZ suitable replacements?

A: Yes. Both Renesas parts meet all electrical and mechanical specifications. The primary consideration is moisture sensitivity level: HIN202IBZ carries MSL 3 (168 Hours) and HIN232IBZ carries MSL 2 (1 Year), requiring appropriate handling during PCB assembly compared to the unlimited MSL of the original part.

Q: Can Texas Instruments MAX202IDW and MAX232IDW be used?

A: Yes. Both Texas Instruments parts provide functional equivalence with identical electrical specifications and 16-SOIC packaging. MAX202IDW is obsolete and MAX232IDW is Last Time Buy status, so these should be considered only when other active alternatives are unavailable.

Q: Does package compatibility extend beyond 16-SOIC?

A: All listed substitutes use the 16-SOIC (0.295", 7.50mm Width) package. No alternative package options are included in this equivalence list. PCB layout and footprint modifications are not required for any listed substitute.

Q: What compliance certifications apply to substitute selection?

A: All substitute parts maintain REACH Unaffected status and EAR99 ECCN classification matching the original MAX201EWE. RoHS compliance differs: the original is non-compliant, while all substitutes are ROHS3 compliant. HTSUS codes remain consistent across Analog Devices and Renesas parts (8542.39.0001), with Texas Instruments parts classified as 8542.39.0060.

Request Quote (Ships tomorrow)

Part Number

Quantity

Company

Contact Name

E-mail

Message