SP3232EHEA-L RS232 Transceiver Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The SP3232EHEA-L is a 2/2 full-duplex RS232 transceiver manufactured by MaxLinear, Inc., housed in a 16-SSOP surface mount package. This component is classified as obsolete, making equivalent and substitute parts necessary for ongoing design support, production continuity, and system maintenance. The part operates across a 3V to 5.5V supply range with a 460 Kbps data rate and -40°C to 85°C temperature range, serving as a critical interface component in serial communication applications.

Key Parameters

Parameter	SP3232EHEA-L
Manufacturer	MaxLinear, Inc.
Type	Transceiver
Protocol	RS232
Drivers/Receivers	2/2
Duplex	Full
Package / Case	16-SSOP (0.209", 5.30mm Width)
Mounting Type	Surface Mount
Voltage - Supply	3V ~ 5.5V
Operating Temperature	-40°C ~ 85°C
Data Rate	460 Kbps
Receiver Hysteresis	300 mV
Product Status	Obsolete
Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL)	2 (1 Year)

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution of the SP3232EHEA-L is determined by strict adherence to the following electrical and mechanical parameters:

Critical Matching Parameters:

Protocol: RS232
Drivers/Receivers: 2/2 configuration
Duplex: Full
Package / Case: 16-SSOP (0.209", 5.30mm Width)
Mounting Type: Surface Mount
Voltage - Supply: 3V ~ 5.5V (compatible range)

Allowable Variations:

Data Rate: Substitute parts may exceed the original 460 Kbps specification
Receiver Hysteresis: Substitute parts may differ (300 mV or 500 mV acceptable)
Operating Temperature: Substitute parts with narrower ranges (0°C ~ 70°C) are acceptable for applications not requiring full -40°C ~ 85°C coverage
Product Status: Active parts are preferred over obsolete parts
Moisture Sensitivity Level: Variations acceptable based on application requirements
RoHS and REACH Compliance: Active parts with compliance certifications are preferred

All substitute parts listed maintain identical package footprint, pin configuration, and core RS232 transceiver functionality.

Parameter Comparison

Part Number	Manufacturer	Protocol	Drivers/Receivers	Package	Voltage Supply	Operating Temp	Data Rate	Receiver Hysteresis	Product Status	RoHS Status
SP3232EHEA-L	MaxLinear, Inc.	RS232	2/2	16-SSOP	3V ~ 5.5V	-40°C ~ 85°C	460 Kbps	300 mV	Obsolete	N/A
ICL3232ECAZ	Renesas Electronics	RS232	2/2	16-SSOP	3V ~ 5.5V	0°C ~ 70°C	250 Kbps	500 mV	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
ICL3232ECAZ-T	Renesas Electronics	RS232	2/2	16-SSOP	3V ~ 5.5V	0°C ~ 70°C	250 Kbps	500 mV	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
ICL3232EIAZ	Renesas Electronics	RS232	2/2	16-SSOP	3V ~ 5.5V	-40°C ~ 85°C	250 Kbps	500 mV	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
ICL3232EIAZ-T	Renesas Electronics	RS232	2/2	16-SSOP	3V ~ 5.5V	-40°C ~ 85°C	250 Kbps	500 mV	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
MAX3232CAE+	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated	RS232	2/2	16-SSOP	3V ~ 5.5V	0°C ~ 70°C	235 Kbps	300 mV	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
MAX3232CAE+T	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated	RS232	2/2	16-SSOP	3V ~ 5.5V	0°C ~ 70°C	235 Kbps	300 mV	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
MAX3232CDBR	Texas Instruments	RS232	2/2	16-SSOP	3V ~ 5.5V	0°C ~ 70°C	250 Kbps	300 mV	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
MAX3232ECAE+	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated	RS232	2/2	16-SSOP	3V ~ 5.5V	0°C ~ 70°C	1 Mbps	500 mV	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
MAX3232ECAE+T	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated	RS232	2/2	16-SSOP	3V ~ 5.5V	0°C ~ 70°C	1 Mbps	500 mV	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
MAX3232ECDBR	Texas Instruments	RS232	2/2	16-SSOP	3V ~ 5.5V	0°C ~ 70°C	250 Kbps	300 mV	Active	ROHS3 Compliant

Engineering Selection Recommendations

All listed substitute parts are active products with ROHS3 compliance and REACH unaffected status, providing regulatory compliance advantages over the obsolete SP3232EHEA-L.

For applications requiring -40°C to 85°C operating range: ICL3232EIAZ and ICL3232EIAZ-T maintain the full temperature specification of the original part. These Renesas Electronics parts are available in high inventory quantities (23,920 and 30,100 units respectively) and support extended temperature operation.

For standard commercial temperature range applications (0°C to 70°C): MAX3232CDBR and MAX3232ECDBR from Texas Instruments, or MAX3232CAE+ and MAX3232ECAE+ from Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated, are suitable. These parts offer active product status with established supply chains and high inventory availability.

For applications requiring higher data rates: MAX3232ECAE+ and MAX3232ECAE+T support 1 Mbps data rates, exceeding the original 460 Kbps specification while maintaining all other electrical and mechanical compatibility.

Packaging considerations: Tube packaging (ECAZ, CAE+, ECAE+) is suitable for lower-volume applications. Cut Tape and Digi-Reel packaging (ECAZ-T, EIAZ-T, CDBR, ECDBR, ECAE+T) supports automated assembly processes and higher-volume production.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I substitute the SP3232EHEA-L with any of the listed parts? A: Yes, all listed parts are electrically and mechanically compatible. They maintain identical RS232 2/2 transceiver functionality, 16-SSOP package footprint, and 3V to 5.5V supply voltage range. Selection depends on your specific operating temperature, data rate, and packaging requirements.

Q: What is the difference between ICL3232ECAZ and ICL3232EIAZ? A: Both are Renesas Electronics RS232 transceivers in 16-SSOP packages. The primary difference is operating temperature: ICL3232ECAZ operates 0°C to 70°C, while ICL3232EIAZ operates -40°C to 85°C. Choose ICL3232EIAZ for extended temperature applications.

Q: Why do some parts have higher data rates than the original SP3232EHEA-L? A: The original part specifies 460 Kbps. Substitute parts with higher data rates (250 Kbps, 1 Mbps) are backward compatible and can operate at lower speeds. Higher data rate capability does not affect functionality in applications using lower speeds.

Q: What is the difference between tube and tape & reel packaging? A: Tube packaging is used for manual assembly and lower-volume applications. Tape & Reel (TR) and Cut Tape (CT) & Digi-Reel packaging are designed for automated pick-and-place assembly and higher-volume production. Both formats contain identical components; packaging choice depends on assembly process requirements.

Q: Are all substitute parts RoHS compliant? A: Yes, all listed substitute parts are ROHS3 compliant and REACH unaffected, meeting current environmental and regulatory requirements. The original SP3232EHEA-L does not specify RoHS status.

Q: Can I use MAX3232ECAE+ in place of MAX3232CAE+? A: Yes. Both are Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated MAX3232 variants in 16-SSOP packages with identical supply voltage and temperature range (0°C to 70°C). The ECAE+ variant supports 1 Mbps data rate versus 235 Kbps for CAE+, providing higher performance capability.

Q: Which substitute part has the highest inventory availability? A: MAX3232ECDBR from Texas Instruments has the highest inventory at 66,666 units, followed by ICL3232ECAZ-T at 30,400 units and ICL3232EIAZ-T at 30,100 units.

Request Quote (Ships tomorrow)

Part Number

Quantity

Company

Contact Name

E-mail

Message