MAX243CSE RS232 Transceiver Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The MAX243CSE is a full-duplex RS232 transceiver with 2 drivers and 2 receivers in a 16-SOIC surface mount package, manufactured by Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated. This part is classified as obsolete, making equivalent and substitute parts necessary for ongoing design support and production continuity. The MAX243CSE operates within a 4.5V to 5.5V supply range with a 200 kbps data rate and is suitable for legacy RS232 communication applications requiring full-duplex operation.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value
Manufacturer Part Number	MAX243CSE
Manufacturer	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated
Type	Transceiver
Protocol	RS232
Number of Drivers/Receivers	2/2
Duplex	Full
Data Rate	200 kbps
Voltage - Supply	4.5V ~ 5.5V
Operating Temperature	0°C ~ 70°C
Package / Case	16-SOIC (0.154", 3.90mm Width)
Mounting Type	Surface Mount
Receiver Hysteresis	500 mV
Product Status	Obsolete
RoHS Status	RoHS non-compliant

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution for the MAX243CSE is determined by strict adherence to the following critical parameters:

Package / Case: 16-SOIC (0.154", 3.90mm Width) — all substitutes must match this footprint for direct PCB compatibility
Protocol: RS232 — all substitutes must support RS232 communication standard
Number of Drivers/Receivers: 2/2 — all substitutes must provide identical driver and receiver configuration
Duplex: Full — all substitutes must support full-duplex operation
Voltage - Supply: 4.5V ~ 5.5V or compatible range — all substitutes must operate within or encompass this range
Mounting Type: Surface Mount — all substitutes must be surface mount compatible

Substitute parts are grouped into two categories:

Parametric Equivalents — Parts that match all critical electrical and mechanical parameters of the MAX243CSE
Manufacturer Recommended Alternatives — Parts from alternative manufacturers that meet the same functional requirements with potential variations in secondary parameters such as data rate, operating temperature range, or compliance status

Parameter Comparison

Parameter	MAX243CSE	MAX232ACSE+	MAX243CSE+	ICL3232IBNZ-T7A	MAX202CD	MAX202CDR	MAX202ID	MAX202IDR
Manufacturer	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated	Renesas Electronics Corporation	Texas Instruments	Texas Instruments	Texas Instruments	Texas Instruments
Type	Transceiver	Transceiver	Transceiver	Transceiver	Transceiver	Transceiver	Transceiver	Transceiver
Protocol	RS232	RS232	RS232	RS232	RS232	RS232	RS232	RS232
Number of Drivers/Receivers	2/2	2/2	2/2	2/2	2/2	2/2	2/2	2/2
Duplex	Full	Full	Full	Full	Full	Full	Full	Full
Receiver Hysteresis	500 mV	500 mV	500 mV	300 mV	500 mV	500 mV	500 mV	500 mV
Data Rate	200 kbps	200 kbps	200 kbps	250 kbps	120 kbps	120 kbps	120 kbps	120 kbps
Voltage - Supply	4.5V ~ 5.5V	4.5V ~ 5.5V	4.5V ~ 5.5V	3V ~ 5.5V	4.5V ~ 5.5V	4.5V ~ 5.5V	4.5V ~ 5.5V	4.5V ~ 5.5V
Operating Temperature	0°C ~ 70°C	0°C ~ 70°C	0°C ~ 70°C	-40°C ~ 85°C	0°C ~ 70°C	0°C ~ 70°C	-40°C ~ 85°C	-40°C ~ 85°C
Package / Case	16-SOIC (0.154", 3.90mm Width)	16-SOIC (0.154", 3.90mm Width)	16-SOIC (0.154", 3.90mm Width)	16-SOIC (0.154", 3.90mm Width)	16-SOIC (0.154", 3.90mm Width)	16-SOIC (0.154", 3.90mm Width)	16-SOIC (0.154", 3.90mm Width)	16-SOIC (0.154", 3.90mm Width)
Mounting Type	Surface Mount	Surface Mount	Surface Mount	Surface Mount	Surface Mount	Surface Mount	Surface Mount	Surface Mount
Product Status	Obsolete	Active	Active	Active	Obsolete	Obsolete	Obsolete	Active
RoHS Status	RoHS non-compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant
Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL)	1 (Unlimited)	1 (Unlimited)	1 (Unlimited)	3 (168 Hours)	1 (Unlimited)	1 (Unlimited)	1 (Unlimited)	1 (Unlimited)

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Primary Substitutes (Parametric Equivalents)

MAX243CSE+ and MAX232ACSE+ are direct parametric equivalents to the MAX243CSE. Both parts maintain identical electrical specifications including 200 kbps data rate, 500 mV receiver hysteresis, 4.5V to 5.5V supply voltage, and 0°C to 70°C operating temperature range. Both are ROHS3 compliant and carry active product status, providing superior long-term availability compared to the obsolete MAX243CSE. The MAX243CSE+ is the preferred choice as it maintains the MAX243 base product number lineage.

Secondary Substitutes (Manufacturer Recommended)

MAX202IDR is an active product from Texas Instruments offering identical electrical parameters to the MAX243CSE with the exception of operating temperature range (-40°C to 85°C versus 0°C to 70°C). This extended temperature capability provides additional design flexibility for applications requiring wider operating conditions. MAX202IDR is ROHS3 compliant with unlimited moisture sensitivity rating.

ICL3232IBNZ-T7A from Renesas Electronics Corporation provides enhanced performance characteristics including 250 kbps data rate (versus 200 kbps) and extended supply voltage range (3V to 5.5V). Operating temperature range extends to -40°C to 85°C. This part carries ROHS3 compliance but requires attention to moisture sensitivity level 3 (168 hours) during storage and handling.

MAX202CD and MAX202CDR are obsolete alternatives with reduced data rate (120 kbps) and are not recommended for new designs requiring active product status and compliance certifications.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can MAX243CSE+ be used as a direct replacement for MAX243CSE?

A: Yes. MAX243CSE+ is a parametric equivalent with identical electrical specifications, package, and pin configuration. The primary advantage is active product status and ROHS3 compliance compared to the obsolete MAX243CSE.

Q: What is the difference between MAX232ACSE+ and MAX243CSE+?

A: Both parts are parametric equivalents to MAX243CSE with identical electrical performance. The difference lies in the base product number (MAX232 versus MAX243). Both are suitable substitutes; MAX243CSE+ is preferred to maintain design lineage with the original MAX243 series.

Q: Is ICL3232IBNZ-T7A compatible with MAX243CSE designs?

A: ICL3232IBNZ-T7A is functionally compatible with identical 2/2 driver/receiver configuration, full-duplex RS232 operation, and 16-SOIC package. Key differences include higher data rate (250 kbps), extended operating temperature range (-40°C to 85°C), and lower supply voltage floor (3V). Moisture sensitivity level 3 requires controlled storage conditions. Electrical compatibility must be verified for specific application requirements.

Q: Why do MAX202 variants show lower data rate (120 kbps)?

A: MAX202 series parts are rated for 120 kbps maximum data rate compared to 200 kbps for MAX243 and MAX232 series. This specification difference reflects the device design and is provided by the manufacturer. Applications requiring higher data rates should prioritize MAX243CSE+, MAX232ACSE+, or ICL3232IBNZ-T7A.

Q: What packaging options are available for substitutes?

A: All substitute parts are available in 16-SOIC surface mount package matching the MAX243CSE footprint. Packaging formats vary (Tube, Cut Tape & Digi-Reel, Tape & Reel) but do not affect electrical or mechanical compatibility on the PCB.

Q: Are all substitutes ROHS3 compliant?

A: All substitute parts listed are ROHS3 compliant. The original MAX243CSE is RoHS non-compliant. Designs requiring RoHS compliance must transition to MAX243CSE+, MAX232ACSE+, MAX202 variants, or ICL3232IBNZ-T7A.

Q: What is the moisture sensitivity consideration for ICL3232IBNZ-T7A?

A: ICL3232IBNZ-T7A carries MSL 3 (168 hours), requiring storage in controlled humidity environments and baking procedures before reflow soldering if moisture absorption limits are exceeded. Other substitutes carry MSL 1 (unlimited) with no moisture sensitivity restrictions.

Request Quote (Ships tomorrow)

Part Number

Quantity

Company

Contact Name

E-mail

Message