SP232AEP-L RS232 Transceiver Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The SP232AEP-L is a 2/2 full-duplex RS232 transceiver manufactured by MaxLinear, Inc., housed in a 16-pin DIP package for through-hole mounting. This part is classified as obsolete, making equivalent and substitute components necessary for ongoing design support and production continuity. The SP232AEP-L operates within a 4.5V to 5.5V supply range with a 240 kbps data rate and 500 mV receiver hysteresis, serving as a standard interface IC for RS232 serial communication applications.

Key Parameters

Parameter	SP232AEP-L
Manufacturer	MaxLinear, Inc.
Type	Transceiver
Protocol	RS232
Number of Drivers/Receivers	2/2
Duplex	Full
Receiver Hysteresis	500 mV
Data Rate	240 kbps
Voltage - Supply	4.5V ~ 5.5V
Operating Temperature	-40°C ~ 85°C
Mounting Type	Through Hole
Package / Case	16-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm)
Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL)	1 (Unlimited)
Product Status	Obsolete

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution of the SP232AEP-L is determined by the following critical parameters:

Protocol Compatibility: All substitutes must support RS232 full-duplex communication
Driver/Receiver Configuration: 2/2 transceiver architecture required
Package Type: Through-hole 16-DIP mounting for direct PCB compatibility
Supply Voltage Range: 4.5V to 5.5V operation (or broader range including this band)
Operating Temperature: Parts rated for -40°C to 85°C preferred; 0°C to 70°C acceptable for less demanding applications
Data Rate: Minimum 120 kbps; 240 kbps or higher preferred
Receiver Hysteresis: 400 mV to 650 mV acceptable range

Substitutes are grouped into two categories: direct replacements maintaining identical specifications, and functional equivalents with minor parameter variations that remain within acceptable operating margins for RS232 applications.

Parameter Comparison

Part Number	Manufacturer	Protocol	Drivers/Receivers	Data Rate	Receiver Hysteresis	Supply Voltage	Operating Temp	Package	Mounting	Product Status
SP232AEP-L	MaxLinear, Inc.	RS232	2/2	240 kbps	500 mV	4.5V ~ 5.5V	-40°C ~ 85°C	16-DIP	Through Hole	Obsolete
SP232AEN-L/TR	MaxLinear, Inc.	RS232	2/2	240 kbps	500 mV	4.5V ~ 5.5V	0°C ~ 70°C	16-SOIC	Surface Mount	Active
ADM202EANZ	Analog Devices Inc.	RS232	2/2	230 kbps	650 mV	4.5V ~ 5.5V	-40°C ~ 85°C	16-DIP	Through Hole	Active
ADM202JNZ	Analog Devices Inc.	RS232	2/2	—	400 mV	4.5V ~ 5.5V	0°C ~ 70°C	16-DIP	Through Hole	Active
ADM232AANZ	Analog Devices Inc.	RS232	2/2	200 kbps	400 mV	4.5V ~ 5.5V	-40°C ~ 85°C	16-DIP	Through Hole	Active
ADM232LANZ	Analog Devices Inc.	RS232	2/2	120 kbps	650 mV	4.5V ~ 5.5V	-40°C ~ 85°C	16-DIP	Through Hole	Active
ADM232LJNZ	Analog Devices Inc.	RS232	2/2	120 kbps	650 mV	4.5V ~ 5.5V	0°C ~ 70°C	16-DIP	Through Hole	Active
ADM3202ANZ	Analog Devices Inc.	RS232	2/2	460 kbps	400 mV	3V ~ 5.5V	-40°C ~ 85°C	16-DIP	Through Hole	Active
HIN232ACPZ	Renesas Electronics Corporation	RS232	2/2	230 kbps	500 mV	4.5V ~ 5.5V	0°C ~ 70°C	16-DIP	Through Hole	Active
HIN232CPZ	Renesas Electronics Corporation	RS232	2/2	120 kbps	500 mV	4.5V ~ 5.5V	0°C ~ 70°C	16-DIP	Through Hole	Active
HIN232ECPZ	Renesas Electronics Corporation	RS232	2/2	230 kbps	500 mV	4.5V ~ 5.5V	0°C ~ 70°C	16-DIP	Through Hole	Active

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Direct Through-Hole DIP Replacements (Pin-Compatible)

For applications requiring identical form factor and through-hole mounting, the following active parts provide direct substitution:

ADM202EANZ: Maintains -40°C to 85°C operating range matching the original specification. 230 kbps data rate and 650 mV hysteresis remain within acceptable RS232 margins. ROHS3 compliant.
ADM232AANZ: Supports full temperature range (-40°C to 85°C). 200 kbps data rate sufficient for standard RS232 applications. 400 mV hysteresis acceptable. ROHS3 compliant.
ADM3202ANZ: Offers enhanced 460 kbps data rate with extended supply voltage range (3V to 5.5V). Full temperature rating. ROHS3 compliant. Suitable for higher-speed serial communication requirements.
HIN232ACPZ and HIN232ECPZ: Both Renesas parts maintain 230 kbps data rate and 500 mV hysteresis matching original specifications. Limited to 0°C to 70°C operating range. ROHS3 compliant. Suitable for commercial-grade applications.

Temperature-Constrained Alternatives

For applications with relaxed temperature requirements (0°C to 70°C):

ADM202JNZ: 400 mV hysteresis, no specified data rate. Through-hole 16-DIP package.
ADM232LJNZ: 120 kbps data rate, 650 mV hysteresis. Through-hole 16-DIP package.
HIN232CPZ: 120 kbps data rate, 500 mV hysteresis. Through-hole 16-DIP package.

Surface-Mount Alternative

SP232AEN-L/TR: MaxLinear equivalent in 16-SOIC surface-mount package. Identical electrical specifications (240 kbps, 500 mV hysteresis, 4.5V to 5.5V). Requires PCB redesign for surface-mount footprint. Active product status with high inventory availability.

All substitute parts carry ROHS3 compliance and REACH unaffected status, meeting modern environmental and regulatory requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I use a substitute part with a lower data rate than the original SP232AEP-L?

A: Yes. The SP232AEP-L operates at 240 kbps, but RS232 applications frequently operate at standard baud rates of 9600, 19200, or 38400 bps. Substitutes rated at 120 kbps or higher remain compatible with these common communication speeds. Verify your application's actual data rate requirement before selection.

Q: What is the significance of receiver hysteresis variation (400 mV to 650 mV)?

A: Receiver hysteresis determines the voltage differential required to switch logic states, affecting noise immunity. The original 500 mV specification is typical for RS232. Variations between 400 mV and 650 mV remain within acceptable RS232 operating margins and do not impact standard serial communication compatibility.

Q: Are through-hole and surface-mount versions interchangeable?

A: No. Through-hole and surface-mount packages require different PCB footprints and assembly processes. The SP232AEN-L/TR (16-SOIC surface mount) cannot directly replace the SP232AEP-L (16-DIP through hole) without PCB redesign. Select based on your existing board layout.

Q: Which substitute offers the best temperature range coverage?

A: ADM202EANZ, ADM232AANZ, and ADM3202ANZ all support -40°C to 85°C operation, matching the original SP232AEP-L specification. These are preferred for industrial and extended-temperature applications. Renesas HIN232 series and other ADM202/ADM232 variants are limited to 0°C to 70°C.

Q: Is the ADM3202ANZ suitable as a drop-in replacement?

A: Yes, for through-hole mounting. The ADM3202ANZ maintains 16-DIP package compatibility and full temperature range (-40°C to 85°C). Its 460 kbps data rate exceeds the original 240 kbps specification, providing performance headroom. The extended supply voltage range (3V to 5.5V) offers additional design flexibility.

Q: What compliance certifications should I verify for my application?

A: All listed substitutes carry ROHS3 compliance and REACH unaffected status. Verify ECCN (EAR99 for all listed parts) and HTSUS codes (8542.39.0001) match your export or procurement requirements. Confirm MSL (Moisture Sensitivity Level) ratings align with your storage and assembly processes.

Q: Can I substitute a part with a narrower operating temperature range?

A: Only if your application operates within that narrower range. If your design requires -40°C to 85°C operation, select parts explicitly rated for this range. Using a 0°C to 70°C part in a -40°C environment will result in out-of-specification operation.

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