sp3485en – 3.3v low power half duplex rs 485 transceiver

SP3485EN – 3.3V Low Power Half-Duplex RS-485 Transceiver

Key features:

  • 3.3V single supply operation (3V to 3.6V)
  • Data rate up to 10 Mbps
  • Half-duplex communication
  • Low power consumption
  • ±15kV ESD protection on bus pins (HBM)
  • Up to 32 nodes on a single bus
  • Receiver fail-safe output for open-circuit conditions
  • Thermal shutdown and short-circuit protection
  • Industrial temperature range: -40°C to +85°C
  • SOIC-8 package
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The SP3485EN from EXAR (now MaxLinear) is a low-power, high-speed differential bus transceiver designed for RS-485 and RS-422 communication protocols . It contains one driver and one receiver, making it ideal for half-duplex bidirectional data transmission in industrial environments .

The device operates from a single 3.3V supply and supports data rates up to 10 Mbps, enabling high-speed communication over long distances . It draws minimal supply current, making it suitable for power-sensitive and battery-powered applications .

Key built-in features include short-circuit current limiting, thermal shutdown protection, and a receiver fail-safe feature that guarantees a logic-high output when the input is open-circuit . The bus pins are protected against ±15kV ESD shocks (Human Body Model), ensuring robust operation in harsh electrical environments .

The SP3485EN is designed for half-duplex applications, using the same pair of wires for both transmission and reception with direction control via the driver enable (DE) and receiver enable (RE) pins, which are typically connected together for automatic direction control .

The SP3485EN is pin-compatible with industry-standard devices like the MAX485 but operates at 3.3V instead of 5V, making it ideal for modern low-voltage microcontrollers

Parameters

Parameters Specifications
Manufacturer EXAR / MaxLinear (formerly Sipex)
Part Number SP3485EN
Type RS-485/RS-422 Transceiver
Protocol RS-422, RS-485, PROFIBUS
Number of Drivers/Receivers 1/1
Duplex Mode Half Duplex
Supply Voltage (VCC) 3.0V to 3.6V (typical 3.3V)
Supply Current 2 mA typical (unloaded)
Data Rate (Max) 10 Mbps
Receiver Hysteresis 20 mV (typical)
ESD Protection ±15 kV (HBM) on bus pins
Number of Nodes Up to 32
Fail-Safe Feature Open-circuit protection
Common Mode Voltage Range -7V to +12V
Operating Temperature -40°C to +85°C
Package SOIC-8 (4.9mm × 3.9mm)
Mounting Surface Mount
RoHS Compliant Yes

Applications

  • Industrial automation – PLC systems, factory automation, process control, sensor networks

  • Building automation – HVAC control, lighting systems, access control

  • Data acquisition systems – Remote monitoring, weather stations, environmental monitoring

  • Telecommunications equipment – Base station control and status monitoring

  • Motor control systems – Industrial motor drives and robotics

  • Medical devices – Patient monitoring systems, diagnostic equipment

  • Security systems – Video surveillance, alarm systems, access control

  • Traffic management systems – Vehicle monitoring, traffic signal control

  • Long-distance serial communication – Extending UART signals up to 1200 meters

  • PROFIBUS-DP compatible networks – Process automation and factory control applications

Note: The SP3485EN is an excellent 3.3V alternative to the classic 5V MAX485. For higher node capacity (up to 256 nodes), consider the enhanced versions of this device.

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