MAX237EWG RS232 Transceiver Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The MAX237EWG is a 5/3 RS232 transceiver IC in 24-SOIC surface mount packaging manufactured by Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated. This part operates as a full-duplex interface transceiver with 5 drivers and 3 receivers, supporting RS232 protocol communication at 120 Kbps data rate. The MAX237EWG is classified as obsolete, making equivalent and substitute parts necessary for ongoing system support and new design implementations.

Key Parameters

Parameter	MAX237EWG
Manufacturer	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated
Type	Transceiver
Protocol	RS232
Number of Drivers/Receivers	5/3
Duplex	Full
Data Rate	120 Kbps
Voltage Supply	4.5V ~ 5.5V
Operating Temperature	-40°C ~ 85°C
Package/Case	24-SOIC (0.295", 7.50mm Width)
Mounting Type	Surface Mount
Receiver Hysteresis	500 mV
Product Status	Obsolete
RoHS Status	RoHS non-compliant

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution for the MAX237EWG is determined by the following critical parameters:

Primary Substitution Criteria:

Protocol: RS232
Number of Drivers/Receivers: 5/3 configuration
Package/Case: 24-SOIC (0.295", 7.50mm Width)
Mounting Type: Surface Mount
Duplex: Full
Voltage Supply Range: 4.5V ~ 5.5V
Operating Temperature: -40°C ~ 85°C

Secondary Compatibility Parameters:

Data Rate: 120 Kbps minimum
Receiver Hysteresis: 500 mV or higher acceptable

Substitute parts are grouped into two categories:

Category 1: Direct Equivalents (5/3 Configuration) Parts maintaining identical 5/3 driver/receiver configuration with matching electrical specifications. These include MAX237EWG+ (active status, RoHS3 compliant), ADM207ARZ, ADM207ARZ-REEL, ADM207EARZ, ADM207EARZ-REEL, ADM237LARZ, and ADM237LARZ-REEL.

Category 2: Parametric Equivalents (4/3 Configuration) Parts with reduced driver/receiver count (4/3) but identical package, protocol, voltage, temperature, and data rate specifications. These include MAX206EEWG+, MAX206EWG+, and MAX236EWG+. These are suitable only when system design accommodates fewer drivers and receivers.

Parameter Comparison

Part Number	Manufacturer	Drivers/Receivers	Data Rate	Receiver Hysteresis	Voltage Supply	Product Status	RoHS Status	Packaging
MAX237EWG	Analog Devices/Maxim	5/3	120 Kbps	500 mV	4.5V ~ 5.5V	Obsolete	Non-compliant	Tube
MAX237EWG+	Analog Devices/Maxim	5/3	120 Kbps	500 mV	4.5V ~ 5.5V	Active	ROHS3 Compliant	Tube
ADM207ARZ	Analog Devices	5/3	120 Kbps	650 mV	4.5V ~ 5.5V	Active	ROHS3 Compliant	Tube
ADM207ARZ-REEL	Analog Devices	5/3	120 Kbps	650 mV	4.5V ~ 5.5V	Active	ROHS3 Compliant	Tape & Reel
ADM207EARZ	Analog Devices	5/3	230 Kbps	650 mV	4.5V ~ 5.5V	Active	ROHS3 Compliant	Tube
ADM207EARZ-REEL	Analog Devices	5/3	230 Kbps	650 mV	4.5V ~ 5.5V	Active	ROHS3 Compliant	Tape & Reel
ADM237LARZ	Analog Devices	5/3	120 Kbps	650 mV	4.75V ~ 5.25V	Active	ROHS3 Compliant	Tube
ADM237LARZ-REEL	Analog Devices	5/3	120 Kbps	650 mV	4.75V ~ 5.25V	Active	ROHS3 Compliant	Tape & Reel
MAX206EEWG+	Analog Devices/Maxim	4/3	120 Kbps	500 mV	4.5V ~ 5.5V	Active	ROHS3 Compliant	Tube
MAX206EWG+	Analog Devices/Maxim	4/3	120 Kbps	500 mV	4.5V ~ 5.5V	Active	ROHS3 Compliant	Tube
MAX236EWG+	Analog Devices/Maxim	4/3	120 Kbps	500 mV	4.5V ~ 5.5V	Active	ROHS3 Compliant	Tube

Engineering Selection Recommendations

For Direct Replacement (5/3 Configuration):

MAX237EWG+ is the primary direct equivalent, offering identical electrical specifications with active product status and RoHS3 compliance. This part is recommended for new designs and system upgrades requiring full compliance with current environmental standards.

ADM207ARZ and ADM207ARZ-REEL provide active alternatives with higher receiver hysteresis (650 mV vs. 500 mV) and identical data rate performance. These parts are suitable for applications requiring enhanced noise immunity.

ADM207EARZ and ADM207EARZ-REEL support higher data rates (230 Kbps vs. 120 Kbps) while maintaining 5/3 configuration and RoHS3 compliance. Selection of these parts is appropriate for systems requiring increased bandwidth capacity.

ADM237LARZ and ADM237LARZ-REEL operate within a narrower voltage supply range (4.75V ~ 5.25V vs. 4.5V ~ 5.5V) and are suitable for applications with tightly regulated power supplies.

For Reduced Configuration (4/3 Configuration):

MAX206EEWG+, MAX206EWG+, and MAX236EWG+ are parametric equivalents with 4/3 driver/receiver configuration. These parts are applicable only when system architecture supports operation with one fewer driver and no reduction in receiver count. All three maintain identical package, protocol, voltage, temperature, and data rate specifications with RoHS3 compliance and active product status.

Compliance Considerations:

All recommended substitute parts carry RoHS3 compliance and REACH unaffected status, meeting current environmental and regulatory requirements. The original MAX237EWG is RoHS non-compliant and obsolete, making migration to compliant alternatives necessary for new production and long-term system support.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can MAX206EWG+ directly replace MAX237EWG in existing designs?

A: MAX206EWG+ is a parametric equivalent with identical electrical specifications but provides 4/3 driver/receiver configuration instead of 5/3. Direct substitution is possible only if the system design accommodates one fewer driver output. The 24-SOIC package, RS232 protocol, voltage supply range, operating temperature, and data rate are identical.

Q: What is the difference between ADM207ARZ and ADM207EARZ?

A: Both parts maintain 5/3 configuration and identical voltage/temperature specifications. ADM207EARZ supports 230 Kbps data rate compared to 120 Kbps for ADM207ARZ. Selection depends on system bandwidth requirements. Both are RoHS3 compliant and active products.

Q: Are tape and reel packaged parts (REEL suffix) electrically identical to tube packaged parts?

A: Yes. Parts with -REEL suffix (ADM207ARZ-REEL, ADM207EARZ-REEL, ADM237LARZ-REEL) are electrically and functionally identical to their tube-packaged counterparts. The suffix indicates packaging format only, used for high-volume automated assembly. Electrical specifications, performance, and compliance are unchanged.

Q: What does the "+" suffix on MAX237EWG+ indicate?

A: The "+" suffix indicates an updated version with RoHS3 compliance and active product status. MAX237EWG+ is the current production equivalent of the obsolete MAX237EWG, maintaining identical electrical specifications while meeting modern environmental standards.

Q: Can ADM237LARZ be used in applications designed for MAX237EWG?

A: ADM237LARZ is compatible with MAX237EWG in applications where the narrower voltage supply range (4.75V ~ 5.25V vs. 4.5V ~ 5.5V) is acceptable. Both maintain 5/3 configuration, 120 Kbps data rate, and identical package specifications. Verify that system power supply regulation meets the tighter voltage tolerance before substitution.

Q: Why is receiver hysteresis different between MAX237EWG and ADM207 series?

A: Receiver hysteresis is a specified parameter that differs between product families. MAX237EWG specifies 500 mV hysteresis, while ADM207 series specifies 650 mV. Higher hysteresis provides improved noise immunity. Both values are within acceptable RS232 specifications and do not prevent substitution in standard applications.

Q: What packaging options are available for 5/3 transceiver substitutes?

A: Direct 5/3 equivalents are available in tube packaging (MAX237EWG+, ADM207ARZ, ADM207EARZ, ADM237LARZ) and tape & reel packaging (ADM207ARZ-REEL, ADM207EARZ-REEL, ADM237LARZ-REEL). Selection depends on assembly process requirements. Electrical specifications remain identical across packaging formats.

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