SP208ET-L Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The SP208ET-L is a 4/4 transceiver full RS232 interface IC manufactured by MaxLinear, Inc., housed in a 24-SOIC surface mount package. This component is classified as obsolete, making equivalent and substitute parts necessary for ongoing system support and new design implementations. The SP208ET-L provides full-duplex RS232 communication with 4 drivers and 4 receivers, operating across the industrial temperature range of -40°C to 85°C with a 120 kbps data rate.

Key Parameters

Parameter	SP208ET-L Value
Manufacturer	MaxLinear, Inc.
Type	Transceiver
Protocol	RS232
Number of Drivers/Receivers	4/4
Duplex	Full
Receiver Hysteresis	500 mV
Data Rate	120 kbps
Voltage - Supply	4.5V ~ 5.5V
Operating Temperature	-40°C ~ 85°C
Mounting Type	Surface Mount
Package / Case	24-SOIC (0.295", 7.50mm Width)
Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL)	3 (168 Hours)
Product Status	Obsolete

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution for the SP208ET-L is determined by strict adherence to the following electrical and mechanical parameters:

Critical Matching Parameters:

Protocol: RS232
Number of Drivers/Receivers: 4/4
Duplex: Full
Voltage Supply Range: 4.5V ~ 5.5V
Package / Case: 24-SOIC (0.295", 7.50mm Width)
Mounting Type: Surface Mount

Allowable Variations:

Receiver Hysteresis: 500 mV or 650 mV (both acceptable for RS232 full-duplex operation)
Data Rate: 120 kbps or higher (230 kbps acceptable as backward-compatible enhancement)
Operating Temperature: -40°C ~ 85°C (primary) or 0°C ~ 70°C (subset range acceptable for industrial applications)
Product Status: Active preferred over Obsolete for long-term availability
Moisture Sensitivity Level: 1 (Unlimited) preferred over 3 (168 Hours) for improved handling

Substitute parts are grouped by manufacturer and product status to facilitate selection based on availability and compliance requirements.

Parameter Comparison

Part Number	Manufacturer	Protocol	Drivers/Receivers	Duplex	Receiver Hysteresis	Data Rate	Supply Voltage	Operating Temp	Package	Product Status	MSL
SP208ET-L	MaxLinear, Inc.	RS232	4/4	Full	500 mV	120 kbps	4.5V ~ 5.5V	-40°C ~ 85°C	24-SOIC	Obsolete	3
ADM208ARZ	Analog Devices Inc.	RS232	4/4	Full	650 mV	120 kbps	4.5V ~ 5.5V	-40°C ~ 85°C	24-SOIC	Active	1
ADM208ARZ-REEL	Analog Devices Inc.	RS232	4/4	Full	650 mV	120 kbps	4.5V ~ 5.5V	-40°C ~ 85°C	24-SOIC	Active	1
ADM208EARZ	Analog Devices Inc.	RS232	4/4	Full	650 mV	230 kbps	4.5V ~ 5.5V	-40°C ~ 85°C	24-SOIC	Active	1
ADM208EARZ-REEL	Analog Devices Inc.	RS232	4/4	Full	650 mV	230 kbps	4.5V ~ 5.5V	-40°C ~ 85°C	24-SOIC	Active	1
HIN208ECBZ	Renesas Electronics Corporation	RS232	4/4	Full	500 mV	230 kbps	4.5V ~ 5.5V	0°C ~ 70°C	24-SOIC	Active	3
HIN208ECBZ-T	Renesas Electronics Corporation	RS232	4/4	Full	500 mV	230 kbps	4.5V ~ 5.5V	0°C ~ 70°C	24-SOIC	Active	3
MAX208CDW	Texas Instruments	RS232	4/4	Full	500 mV	120 kbps	4.5V ~ 5.5V	0°C ~ 70°C	24-SOIC	Obsolete	1
MAX208CDWR	Texas Instruments	RS232	4/4	Full	500 mV	120 kbps	4.5V ~ 5.5V	0°C ~ 70°C	24-SOIC	Obsolete	1
MAX208CWG+	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated	RS232	4/4	Full	500 mV	120 kbps	4.5V ~ 5.5V	0°C ~ 70°C	24-SOIC	Active	1
MAX208CWG+T	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated	RS232	4/4	Full	500 mV	120 kbps	4.5V ~ 5.5V	0°C ~ 70°C	24-SOIC	Active	1

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Primary Substitutes (Active Status, Full Temperature Range):

The ADM208ARZ, ADM208ARZ-REEL, ADM208EARZ, and ADM208EARZ-REEL from Analog Devices Inc. are the preferred substitutes. All maintain the -40°C to 85°C operating temperature range matching the SP208ET-L. The ADM208EARZ and ADM208EARZ-REEL variants offer enhanced data rate capability (230 kbps) while maintaining backward compatibility. All Analog Devices variants carry ROHS3 compliance and MSL 1 rating, providing superior moisture handling compared to the original part.

Secondary Substitutes (Active Status, Restricted Temperature Range):

The MAX208CWG+ and MAX208CWG+T from Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated are active alternatives with identical electrical parameters to the SP208ET-L. However, these parts operate within 0°C to 70°C, a subset of the original -40°C to 85°C range. Selection of these parts requires confirmation that the application does not require the full industrial temperature range.

The HIN208ECBZ and HIN208ECBZ-T from Renesas Electronics Corporation are active alternatives with enhanced data rate (230 kbps) but similarly restricted to 0°C to 70°C operation. These parts maintain the 500 mV receiver hysteresis of the original design.

Obsolete Alternatives (Not Recommended for New Designs):

The MAX208CDW and MAX208CDWR from Texas Instruments are obsolete and should not be selected for new designs or long-term production requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I use ADM208EARZ in place of SP208ET-L?

A: Yes. The ADM208EARZ meets all critical substitution parameters: RS232 protocol, 4/4 drivers/receivers, full duplex, 4.5V to 5.5V supply, and 24-SOIC package. The 230 kbps data rate is a backward-compatible enhancement over the 120 kbps original specification. The -40°C to 85°C operating range matches the SP208ET-L exactly. The improved MSL 1 rating provides better moisture tolerance.

Q: What is the difference between ADM208ARZ and ADM208EARZ?

A: Both parts are manufactured by Analog Devices Inc. and share identical electrical and mechanical specifications except for data rate. The ADM208ARZ operates at 120 kbps, matching the SP208ET-L. The ADM208EARZ operates at 230 kbps, providing higher-speed capability. Both maintain the same supply voltage, temperature range, and package specifications. Selection depends on whether the application requires the enhanced data rate.

Q: Why do some substitutes have restricted temperature ranges?

A: The MAX208CWG+ and HIN208ECBZ variants operate within 0°C to 70°C, which is a subset of the SP208ET-L's -40°C to 85°C range. These parts are suitable only for applications that do not require operation below 0°C or above 70°C. For applications requiring the full industrial temperature range, select ADM208 variants or confirm temperature requirements before substitution.

Q: What does the "-REEL" suffix indicate?

A: The "-REEL" suffix indicates tape and reel packaging for automated assembly processes. ADM208ARZ-REEL and ADM208EARZ-REEL are electrically identical to their non-reel counterparts (ADM208ARZ and ADM208EARZ) but supplied on continuous tape and reel for high-volume manufacturing. Selection between reel and tube packaging depends on assembly equipment and order quantity requirements.

Q: Are all substitute parts RoHS compliant?

A: All active substitute parts listed carry ROHS3 compliance certification. The original SP208ET-L does not specify RoHS status. Compliance verification is recommended for applications subject to RoHS regulatory requirements.

Q: Can I substitute MAX208CWG+ for SP208ET-L in an industrial application?

A: The MAX208CWG+ is electrically compatible with the SP208ET-L and maintains identical driver/receiver configuration and data rate. However, the MAX208CWG+ operates within 0°C to 70°C, which does not cover the full -40°C to 85°C range of the original part. Substitution is acceptable only if the application operates within the 0°C to 70°C window. For applications requiring the full industrial temperature range, select ADM208 variants instead.

Q: What is the significance of receiver hysteresis differences?

A: The SP208ET-L specifies 500 mV receiver hysteresis. Substitute parts from Analog Devices (ADM208 series) specify 650 mV hysteresis. Both values are within acceptable RS232 specifications and do not affect functional compatibility. The higher hysteresis value in ADM208 parts provides improved noise immunity in electrically noisy environments.

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