Transceiver enhances design flexibility with external pin

The user-selectable data rate allows designers to specify the same device and thus simplify inventory management for RS485-networking applications, ranging from high speed/short range up to the maximum communication distance (4,000 feet) depending on cable performance.

It is suitable for a wide variety of scenarios, including telecom infrastructure, high speed data links, or low voltage microcontroller communications.

Designers get the flexibility to connect low voltage logic devices from 1.8-3.3V directly, without needing level-shifting components, leveraging the 1.65-3.6V supply-voltage range for data and enable signals. By maintaining internal driver-output resistance above 96Ω up to 105°C, the STR485 allows up to 256 transceivers on the same bus in accordance with the RS485 specification.

Rich features for safety and robustness include thermal shutdown to prevent bus contention or faults causing excessive power consumption, and a receiver failsafe mode that prevents errors if inputs are idle, shorted, or unconnected.

The bus pins withstand over ±8kV contact discharge and ±16kV air discharge without latch-up, exceeding IEC 61000-4-2 specifications, and are resistant to IEC61000-4-4 fast transient burst class-B.

Packaged as a 3x3mm DFN10 featuring flow-through logic-to-bus pinning that simplifies board design, the STR485 is available now.