MAX490ECPA RS422/RS485 Transceiver Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The MAX490ECPA is a full-duplex RS422/RS485 transceiver IC manufactured by Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated, housed in an 8-pin DIP package for through-hole mounting. This part operates at 2.5 Mbps data rate with a 70 mV receiver hysteresis and is designed for industrial communication applications requiring robust serial interface capabilities.

The MAX490ECPA is classified as obsolete. Identifying equivalent and substitute parts is necessary to ensure design continuity, maintain supply chain reliability, and support long-term product availability for legacy systems and new designs requiring compatible functionality.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value
Manufacturer Part Number	MAX490ECPA
Manufacturer	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated
Type	Transceiver
Protocol	RS422, RS485
Number of Drivers/Receivers	1/1
Duplex	Full
Data Rate	2.5 Mbps
Receiver Hysteresis	70 mV
Voltage - Supply	4.75V ~ 5.25V
Operating Temperature	0°C ~ 70°C
Package / Case	8-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm)
Mounting Type	Through Hole
Product Status	Obsolete
RoHS Status	RoHS non-compliant

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution of the MAX490ECPA is determined by strict equivalence across the following critical parameters:

Primary Substitution Criteria:

Protocol compatibility: RS422/RS485 full-duplex operation
Electrical specifications: 1/1 driver/receiver configuration, 4.75V ~ 5.25V supply voltage range
Package compatibility: 8-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm) through-hole mounting
Receiver hysteresis: 70 mV
Data rate capability: minimum 2.5 Mbps

Substitute Categories:

Parametric Equivalents (MAX490CPA+, MAX490ECPA+): Identical electrical and mechanical specifications to the main part. These parts maintain the same performance envelope and are direct functional replacements. Both are active products with RoHS3 compliance, addressing the obsolescence and compliance status of the original part.

Direct Manufacturer Equivalent (LTC490CN8#PBF): Manufactured by Analog Devices Inc., this part meets all core electrical parameters and package requirements. Operating temperature range is 0°C ~ 70°C, matching the main part. Data rate is not specified but supply voltage and physical form factor are identical.

Upgrade Option (LTC490IN8#PBF): Extends the operating temperature range to -40°C ~ 85°C while maintaining all other electrical and mechanical specifications. This part is suitable for applications requiring wider temperature operation.

Manufacturer Recommended Alternatives (SN65LBC179AP, SN75LBC179AP): Texas Instruments RS422/RS485 transceivers with identical package and protocol support. These parts are obsolete but provide cross-manufacturer compatibility. SN65LBC179AP supports -40°C ~ 85°C operation; SN75LBC179AP supports 0°C ~ 70°C operation. Both feature 50 mV receiver hysteresis and 30 Mbps data rate capability, exceeding the performance of the MAX490ECPA.

Parameter Comparison

Part Number	Manufacturer	Protocol	Drivers/Receivers	Data Rate	Receiver Hysteresis	Supply Voltage	Operating Temperature	Package	Product Status	RoHS Status
MAX490ECPA	Analog Devices	RS422, RS485	1/1	2.5 Mbps	70 mV	4.75V ~ 5.25V	0°C ~ 70°C	8-DIP	Obsolete	Non-compliant
MAX490CPA+	Analog Devices	RS422, RS485	1/1	2.5 Mbps	70 mV	4.75V ~ 5.25V	0°C ~ 70°C	8-DIP	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
MAX490ECPA+	Analog Devices	RS422, RS485	1/1	2.5 Mbps	70 mV	4.75V ~ 5.25V	0°C ~ 70°C	8-DIP	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
LTC490CN8#PBF	Analog Devices	RS422, RS485	1/1	—	70 mV	4.75V ~ 5.25V	0°C ~ 70°C	8-DIP	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
LTC490IN8#PBF	Analog Devices	RS422, RS485	1/1	—	70 mV	4.75V ~ 5.25V	-40°C ~ 85°C	8-DIP	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
SN65LBC179AP	Texas Instruments	RS422, RS485	1/1	30 Mbps	50 mV	4.75V ~ 5.25V	-40°C ~ 85°C	8-DIP	Obsolete	ROHS3 Compliant
SN75LBC179AP	Texas Instruments	RS422, RS485	1/1	30 Mbps	50 mV	4.75V ~ 5.25V	0°C ~ 70°C	8-DIP	Obsolete	ROHS3 Compliant

Engineering Selection Recommendations

For Direct Replacement with Active Product Status: Select MAX490CPA+ or MAX490ECPA+ for immediate substitution. Both parts are manufactured by Analog Devices Inc., maintain identical electrical and mechanical specifications, and are classified as active products. These parts address the obsolescence status of the MAX490ECPA and provide RoHS3 compliance for new designs and manufacturing processes requiring environmental compliance.

For Extended Temperature Range Applications: LTC490IN8#PBF extends the operating temperature range to -40°C ~ 85°C while preserving all other electrical parameters. This part is suitable for industrial and automotive applications requiring wider temperature operation within the same package footprint.

For Cross-Manufacturer Compatibility: SN65LBC179AP (Texas Instruments, -40°C ~ 85°C) and SN75LBC179AP (Texas Instruments, 0°C ~ 70°C) provide alternative sourcing from a different manufacturer. Both parts are obsolete but offer higher data rate capability (30 Mbps) and lower receiver hysteresis (50 mV). These parts are suitable for applications where performance margin is beneficial and cross-manufacturer qualification is acceptable.

Compliance Considerations: All substitute parts except the original MAX490ECPA carry RoHS3 compliance certification. For new designs or manufacturing processes subject to environmental regulations, select from the active, RoHS3-compliant alternatives: MAX490CPA+, MAX490ECPA+, LTC490CN8#PBF, or LTC490IN8#PBF.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can MAX490CPA+ or MAX490ECPA+ be used as direct replacements for MAX490ECPA?

A: Yes. Both parts are parametric equivalents with identical electrical specifications (RS422/RS485 protocol, 1/1 driver/receiver configuration, 2.5 Mbps data rate, 70 mV receiver hysteresis, 4.75V ~ 5.25V supply voltage, 0°C ~ 70°C operating temperature) and identical 8-DIP package. The primary differences are product status (active vs. obsolete) and RoHS compliance (ROHS3 vs. non-compliant).

Q: What is the difference between LTC490CN8#PBF and LTC490IN8#PBF?

A: Both parts are manufactured by Analog Devices Inc. and share identical electrical specifications and 8-DIP packaging. The primary difference is operating temperature range: LTC490CN8#PBF operates 0°C ~ 70°C (matching the original MAX490ECPA), while LTC490IN8#PBF extends to -40°C ~ 85°C. Select LTC490IN8#PBF for applications requiring wider temperature operation.

Q: Are the Texas Instruments SN65LBC179AP and SN75LBC179AP compatible with MAX490ECPA?

A: Both parts are compatible at the protocol and package level (RS422/RS485, 8-DIP through-hole). However, they differ in receiver hysteresis (50 mV vs. 70 mV) and data rate capability (30 Mbps vs. 2.5 Mbps). SN65LBC179AP supports -40°C ~ 85°C operation; SN75LBC179AP supports 0°C ~ 70°C operation. These parts are obsolete but provide cross-manufacturer alternatives with enhanced performance specifications.

Q: Which substitute part should I select for a new design?

A: For new designs, select MAX490CPA+ or MAX490ECPA+ from Analog Devices Inc. Both parts are active products with RoHS3 compliance, identical electrical specifications to the original part, and 8-DIP through-hole packaging. These selections ensure long-term supply availability and compliance with environmental regulations.

Q: Does the 8-DIP package remain the same across all substitute parts?

A: Yes. All substitute parts listed maintain the 8-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm) through-hole package specification. No PCB layout modifications are required for mechanical compatibility.

Q: What is the significance of the "+" suffix in MAX490CPA+ and MAX490ECPA+?

A: The "+" suffix indicates tube packaging. The original MAX490ECPA does not specify packaging type. MAX490CPA+ and MAX490ECPA+ are supplied in tube packaging, which is standard for active production parts and does not affect electrical or mechanical compatibility.

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