SP491EN-L/TR RS422/RS485 Transceiver Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The SP491EN-L/TR is a full-duplex RS422/RS485 transceiver manufactured by MaxLinear, Inc., supplied in 14-SOIC surface mount packaging on tape and reel. This interface IC operates at 5V nominal supply voltage and supports data rates up to 5 Mbps with 70 mV receiver hysteresis. The part is currently in active production status and RoHS compliant.

Equivalent and substitute parts are necessary when the SP491EN-L/TR becomes unavailable, when alternative packaging formats are required for manufacturing processes, or when design specifications allow for compatible alternatives from qualified manufacturers. Substitute selection must maintain electrical compatibility across supply voltage, operating temperature range, protocol support, and package dimensions.

Key Parameters

Parameter	SP491EN-L/TR Value
Manufacturer	MaxLinear, Inc.
Protocol	RS422, RS485
Type	Transceiver
Number of Drivers/Receivers	1/1
Duplex	Full
Receiver Hysteresis	70 mV
Data Rate	5 Mbps
Voltage - Supply	4.75V ~ 5.25V
Operating Temperature	-40°C ~ 85°C
Mounting Type	Surface Mount
Package / Case	14-SOIC (0.154", 3.90mm Width)
RoHS Status	RoHS Compliant
Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL)	2 (1 Year)

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution of the SP491EN-L/TR is determined by the following critical parameters:

Electrical Compatibility Requirements:

Protocol support: RS422 and RS485 full-duplex operation
Number of drivers/receivers: 1/1 configuration
Receiver hysteresis: 70 mV
Supply voltage range: 4.75V ~ 5.25V (primary requirement) or compatible 4.5V ~ 5.5V range
Operating temperature range: Must support -40°C ~ 85°C or be suitable for the intended application temperature window

Mechanical Compatibility Requirements:

Package type: 14-SOIC surface mount
Package dimensions: 0.154" (3.90mm) width
Mounting type: Surface mount

Packaging Format Considerations:

Tape & Reel (TR) format is preferred for high-volume manufacturing
Tube and Cut Tape (CT) formats are acceptable for lower-volume or prototype applications
Moisture sensitivity level affects storage and handling requirements

Substitute parts are grouped into two categories based on data rate capability and temperature range:

Category A - Extended Temperature Range (-40°C ~ 85°C): Parts suitable for applications requiring the full temperature range of the original SP491EN-L/TR. These include LTC491IS variants and MAX491EESD+.

Category B - Commercial Temperature Range (0°C ~ 70°C): Parts with reduced operating temperature range, suitable only for applications within 0°C to 70°C. These include LTC491CS variants and MAX491CSD+/ECSD+ variants.

Category C - Legacy/Not For New Designs: ADM489ARZ-REEL is marked "Not For New Designs" and should be used only when existing inventory constraints require it.

Parameter Comparison

Part Number	Manufacturer	Protocol	Drivers/Receivers	Data Rate	Supply Voltage	Operating Temp	Package	Packaging Format	Product Status	RoHS Status
SP491EN-L/TR	MaxLinear, Inc.	RS422, RS485	1/1	5 Mbps	4.75V ~ 5.25V	-40°C ~ 85°C	14-SOIC	Tape & Reel	Active	RoHS Compliant
ADM489ARZ-REEL	Analog Devices Inc.	RS422, RS485	1/1	250 kbps	4.5V ~ 5.5V	-40°C ~ 85°C	14-SOIC	Reel	Not For New Designs	ROHS3 Compliant
LTC491CS#PBF	Analog Devices Inc.	RS422, RS485	1/1	Not Specified	4.75V ~ 5.25V	0°C ~ 70°C	14-SOIC	Tube	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
LTC491CS#TRPBF	Analog Devices Inc.	RS422, RS485	1/1	Not Specified	4.75V ~ 5.25V	0°C ~ 70°C	14-SOIC	Tape & Reel	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
LTC491IS#PBF	Analog Devices Inc.	RS422, RS485	1/1	Not Specified	4.75V ~ 5.25V	-40°C ~ 85°C	14-SOIC	Tube	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
LTC491IS#TRPBF	Analog Devices Inc.	RS422, RS485	1/1	Not Specified	4.75V ~ 5.25V	-40°C ~ 85°C	14-SOIC	Tape & Reel	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
MAX491CSD+	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated	RS422, RS485	1/1	2.5 Mbps	4.75V ~ 5.25V	0°C ~ 70°C	14-SOIC	Tube	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
MAX491CSD+T	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated	RS422, RS485	1/1	2.5 Mbps	4.75V ~ 5.25V	0°C ~ 70°C	14-SOIC	Cut Tape & Digi-Reel	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
MAX491ECSD+	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated	RS422, RS485	1/1	2.5 Mbps	4.75V ~ 5.25V	0°C ~ 70°C	14-SOIC	Tube	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
MAX491ECSD+T	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated	RS422, RS485	1/1	2.5 Mbps	4.75V ~ 5.25V	0°C ~ 70°C	14-SOIC	Cut Tape & Digi-Reel	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
MAX491EESD+	Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated	RS422, RS485	1/1	2.5 Mbps	4.75V ~ 5.25V	-40°C ~ 85°C	14-SOIC	Tube	Active	ROHS3 Compliant

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Primary Substitutes (Recommended for New Designs):

For applications requiring the full -40°C ~ 85°C operating temperature range with tape and reel packaging, LTC491IS#TRPBF is the preferred substitute. This part maintains identical supply voltage specifications (4.75V ~ 5.25V), supports RS422/RS485 full-duplex operation with 1/1 driver/receiver configuration, and is in active production status with ROHS3 compliance.

For applications where commercial temperature range (0°C ~ 70°C) is acceptable, LTC491CS#TRPBF provides an active, ROHS3-compliant alternative in tape and reel format with matching electrical specifications.

MAX491EESD+ is suitable as a tube-packaged alternative for extended temperature applications (-40°C ~ 85°C). This part is in active production and ROHS3 compliant, though it operates at a reduced data rate of 2.5 Mbps compared to the SP491EN-L/TR's 5 Mbps specification.

Secondary Substitutes (Packaging Alternatives):

When tube packaging is acceptable, LTC491IS#PBF provides extended temperature range (-40°C ~ 85°C) operation. MAX491CSD+ and MAX491ECSD+ offer commercial temperature range alternatives in tube format.

Legacy Parts (Not Recommended for New Designs):

ADM489ARZ-REEL is marked "Not For New Designs" and should be avoided for new applications. This part is retained only for existing inventory management or legacy system maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I substitute SP491EN-L/TR with a part rated for 0°C ~ 70°C operating temperature?

A: Substitution is possible only if your application operates exclusively within the 0°C ~ 70°C temperature window. If your system requires operation at -40°C or above 70°C, you must select a substitute with -40°C ~ 85°C rating, such as LTC491IS#TRPBF or MAX491EESD+.

Q: What is the difference between LTC491CS and LTC491IS variants?

A: The primary difference is operating temperature range. LTC491CS is rated 0°C ~ 70°C (commercial grade), while LTC491IS is rated -40°C ~ 85°C (industrial grade). Both support identical RS422/RS485 protocols and 4.75V ~ 5.25V supply voltage. Select based on your application's temperature requirements.

Q: Can I use MAX491 series parts as direct substitutes?

A: MAX491 series parts are functionally compatible but operate at a reduced data rate of 2.5 Mbps compared to SP491EN-L/TR's 5 Mbps. If your application requires 5 Mbps data rate, MAX491 variants are not suitable. For applications operating at 2.5 Mbps or lower, MAX491EESD+ (extended temperature) or MAX491CSD+ (commercial temperature) are acceptable substitutes.

Q: What packaging formats are available, and which should I choose?

A: Tape & Reel (TR) format is standard for high-volume manufacturing and automated assembly. Tube packaging is suitable for lower-volume applications or manual assembly. Cut Tape (CT) & Digi-Reel format provides flexibility for mixed-volume production. Select based on your manufacturing process and volume requirements.

Q: Is ADM489ARZ-REEL a suitable substitute?

A: ADM489ARZ-REEL is marked "Not For New Designs" and should not be selected for new applications. This part is available only for legacy system support or existing inventory constraints. For new designs, select from the active production alternatives listed in the primary substitutes section.

Q: Do all substitute parts have the same moisture sensitivity level?

A: No. SP491EN-L/TR has MSL 2 (1 Year), while most Analog Devices substitutes have MSL 1 (Unlimited). MSL 1 provides superior moisture tolerance and longer shelf life. This is an advantage for inventory management and long-term storage.

Q: Are all listed parts RoHS compliant?

A: Yes. SP491EN-L/TR is RoHS Compliant, and all substitute parts are ROHS3 Compliant, meeting current environmental and regulatory requirements.

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