MAX237CWG Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The MAX237CWG is a full-duplex RS232 transceiver with 5 drivers and 3 receivers in a 24-SOIC surface mount package, manufactured by Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated. This part is classified as obsolete, though 2,849 units remain in stock as new original inventory. The MAX237CWG operates within a 4.5V to 5.5V supply range with a 120 kbps data rate and 500 mV receiver hysteresis, suitable for legacy RS232 communication applications requiring full-duplex operation with asymmetric driver/receiver configurations.

Due to the obsolete product status, equivalent and substitute parts from active product lines are necessary for new designs, long-term availability assurance, and compliance with current RoHS and REACH regulations.

Key Parameters

Parameter	MAX237CWG
Manufacturer	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated
Product Status	Obsolete
Type	Transceiver
Protocol	RS232
Duplex	Full
Number of Drivers/Receivers	5/3
Data Rate	120 kbps
Voltage - Supply	4.5V ~ 5.5V
Receiver Hysteresis	500 mV
Operating Temperature	0°C ~ 70°C
Mounting Type	Surface Mount
Package / Case	24-SOIC (0.295", 7.50mm Width)
RoHS Status	RoHS non-compliant
Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL)	1 (Unlimited)

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution logic for the MAX237CWG is determined by the following critical parameters:

Primary Substitution Criteria:

Protocol: RS232 (full-duplex transceiver)
Package / Case: 24-SOIC (0.295", 7.50mm Width)
Mounting Type: Surface Mount
Data Rate: 120 kbps minimum
Voltage - Supply: Compatible range (4.5V ~ 5.5V or 4.75V ~ 5.25V)
Receiver Hysteresis: 500 mV or 650 mV
Operating Temperature: 0°C ~ 70°C or extended range (-40°C ~ 85°C)

Substitute Categories:

Direct Equivalents (5/3 Configuration): MAX237CWG+ and ADM237 series parts maintain identical driver/receiver configuration (5/3), ensuring pin-for-pin compatibility and functional equivalence.
Functional Alternatives (4/3 Configuration): MAX206CWG+, MAX206ECWG+, and MAX236CWG+ provide reduced driver count (4/3) but maintain full-duplex RS232 operation in the same package. These are suitable when the application requires fewer drivers than the original design.
Extended Temperature Range Options: ADM237LARZ and ADM237LARZ-REEL support -40°C ~ 85°C operating range, compared to the standard 0°C ~ 70°C, with slightly elevated receiver hysteresis (650 mV vs. 500 mV).
Standard Temperature Range Options: ADM237LJRZ and ADM237LJRZ-REEL maintain 0°C ~ 70°C operating range with 650 mV receiver hysteresis and 4.75V ~ 5.25V supply voltage.

Parameter Comparison

Part Number	Manufacturer	Product Status	Drivers/Receivers	Data Rate	Voltage - Supply	Receiver Hysteresis	Operating Temperature	Package	RoHS Status
MAX237CWG	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated	Obsolete	5/3	120 kbps	4.5V ~ 5.5V	500 mV	0°C ~ 70°C	24-SOIC	RoHS non-compliant
MAX237CWG+	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated	Active	5/3	120 kbps	4.5V ~ 5.5V	500 mV	0°C ~ 70°C	24-SOIC	ROHS3 Compliant
MAX206CWG+	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated	Active	4/3	120 kbps	4.5V ~ 5.5V	500 mV	0°C ~ 70°C	24-SOIC	ROHS3 Compliant
MAX206ECWG+	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated	Active	4/3	120 kbps	4.5V ~ 5.5V	500 mV	0°C ~ 70°C	24-SOIC	ROHS3 Compliant
MAX236CWG+	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated	Active	4/3	120 kbps	4.5V ~ 5.5V	500 mV	0°C ~ 70°C	24-SOIC	ROHS3 Compliant
ADM237LARZ	Analog Devices Inc.	Active	5/3	120 kbps	4.75V ~ 5.25V	650 mV	-40°C ~ 85°C	24-SOIC	ROHS3 Compliant
ADM237LARZ-REEL	Analog Devices Inc.	Active	5/3	120 kbps	4.75V ~ 5.25V	650 mV	-40°C ~ 85°C	24-SOIC	ROHS3 Compliant
ADM237LJRZ	Analog Devices Inc.	Active	5/3	120 kbps	4.75V ~ 5.25V	650 mV	0°C ~ 70°C	24-SOIC	ROHS3 Compliant
ADM237LJRZ-REEL	Analog Devices Inc.	Active	5/3	120 kbps	4.75V ~ 5.25V	650 mV	0°C ~ 70°C	24-SOIC	ROHS3 Compliant

Engineering Selection Recommendations

For Direct Replacement (Pin-Compatible, Identical Configuration): MAX237CWG+ is the primary active-status equivalent. It maintains the 5/3 driver/receiver configuration, identical electrical parameters (500 mV hysteresis, 4.5V ~ 5.5V supply), and 24-SOIC package. The transition from RoHS non-compliant to ROHS3 compliant status makes this the preferred choice for new designs and long-term supply assurance.

For Extended Temperature Range Applications: ADM237LARZ and ADM237LARZ-REEL support -40°C ~ 85°C operating range, suitable for industrial and automotive environments. These parts maintain 5/3 configuration but operate within a narrower supply voltage range (4.75V ~ 5.25V) and feature 650 mV receiver hysteresis. Tape & Reel packaging (ADM237LARZ-REEL) is available for high-volume production.

For Standard Temperature Range with Narrower Supply Voltage: ADM237LJRZ and ADM237LJRZ-REEL maintain 0°C ~ 70°C operating range with 4.75V ~ 5.25V supply voltage and 650 mV receiver hysteresis. These are suitable for applications where the narrower supply voltage tolerance is acceptable.

For Reduced Driver Count Applications: MAX206CWG+, MAX206ECWG+, and MAX236CWG+ provide 4/3 driver/receiver configuration in the same 24-SOIC package. These are functional alternatives when the application design requires fewer drivers than the original 5/3 configuration. All three maintain identical electrical parameters (500 mV hysteresis, 4.5V ~ 5.5V supply, 0°C ~ 70°C operating range) and ROHS3 compliance.

All substitute parts are ROHS3 compliant and REACH unaffected, meeting current regulatory requirements for new designs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can MAX237CWG+ be used as a direct replacement for MAX237CWG? A: Yes. MAX237CWG+ is functionally and pin-compatible with MAX237CWG. Both maintain 5/3 driver/receiver configuration, 500 mV receiver hysteresis, 4.5V ~ 5.5V supply voltage, and 24-SOIC package. The primary difference is product status (Active vs. Obsolete) and RoHS compliance (ROHS3 vs. non-compliant).

Q: What is the difference between MAX237CWG+ and ADM237LARZ? A: Both maintain 5/3 configuration and 24-SOIC package. Key differences are: (1) Supply voltage range: MAX237CWG+ operates 4.5V ~ 5.5V, ADM237LARZ operates 4.75V ~ 5.25V; (2) Receiver hysteresis: MAX237CWG+ has 500 mV, ADM237LARZ has 650 mV; (3) Operating temperature: MAX237CWG+ supports 0°C ~ 70°C, ADM237LARZ supports -40°C ~ 85°C. Select ADM237LARZ for extended temperature range applications.

Q: Can I use MAX206CWG+ instead of MAX237CWG? A: MAX206CWG+ is a functional alternative with reduced driver count (4/3 vs. 5/3). It maintains identical electrical parameters (500 mV hysteresis, 4.5V ~ 5.5V supply, 120 kbps data rate) and 24-SOIC package. Use this only if your application design requires fewer than 5 drivers.

Q: What is the difference between ADM237LARZ and ADM237LARZ-REEL? A: Both parts are electrically identical. The difference is packaging: ADM237LARZ is supplied in Tube packaging, while ADM237LARZ-REEL is supplied in Tape & Reel (TR) format. Select Tape & Reel for high-volume production and automated assembly.

Q: Are all substitute parts RoHS compliant? A: All substitute parts listed (MAX237CWG+, MAX206 series, MAX236CWG+, and ADM237 series) are ROHS3 compliant. The original MAX237CWG is RoHS non-compliant. This compliance difference is significant for new designs and regulatory requirements.

Q: What does receiver hysteresis of 500 mV vs. 650 mV mean for my application? A: Receiver hysteresis determines the voltage difference between the rising and falling threshold levels for RS232 signal detection. Higher hysteresis (650 mV) provides greater noise immunity but requires larger signal transitions. Lower hysteresis (500 mV) allows operation with smaller signal swings. Both values are within RS232 specification limits. Select based on your noise environment and signal characteristics.

Q: Can I mix different substitute parts in the same design? A: Yes, provided your circuit design accommodates the specific electrical parameters of each part. However, for consistency and simplified inventory management, using a single substitute part across all instances is recommended.

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