The Intersil ISL83387E is a 3.0V to 5.5V powered RS-232
transceiver which meets ElA/TIA-232 and V.28/V.24
specifications, even at VCC = 3.0V. Additionally, it provides
±15kV ESD protection (IEC61000-4-2 Air Gap and Human
Body Model) on transmitter outputs and receiver inputs
(RS-232 pins). Targeted applications are PDAs, Palmtops,
and notebook and laptop computers where the low
operational, and even lower standby power consumption is
critical. Efficient on-chip charge pumps, coupled with manual
and enhanced automatic powerdown functions, reduce the
standby supply current to a 1µA trickle. TSSOP packaging,
and the use of small, low value capacitors ensure board
space savings as well. Data rates greater than 250kbps are
guaranteed at worst case load conditions.
The ISL83387E features a VL pin that adjusts the logic pin
output levels and input thresholds to values compatible with
the VCC powering the external logic (e.g., a UART).
This device includes an enhanced automatic powerdown
function which powers down the on-chip power-supply and
driver circuits. This occurs when all receiver and transmitter
inputs detect no signal transitions for a period of 30 seconds.
It power back up, automatically, whenever it senses a
transition on any transmitter or receiver input.
Table 1 summarizes the features of the ISL83387E, while
Application Note AN9863 summarizes the features of each
device comprising the 3V RS-232 family.

Features
• VL Supply Pin for Compatibility with Mixed Voltage
Systems
• ESD Protection for RS-232 I/O Pins to ±15kV (IEC61000)
• Low Power, Pin Compatible Upgrade for MAX3387E
• Manual and Enhanced Automatic Powerdown Features
• Meets EIA/TIA-232 and V.28/V.24 Specifications at 3V
• On-Chip Charge Pumps Require Only Four External
0.1µF Capacitors
• Receivers Stay Active in Powerdown
• Very Low Supply Current . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300µA
• Guaranteed Minimum Data Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250kbps
• Wide Power Supply Range . . . . . . . Single +3V to +5.5V
• Low Supply Current in Powerdown State. . . . . . . . . < 1µA
• Pb-Free Plus Anneal Available (RoHS Compliant)

Applications
• Any System Requiring RS-232 Communication Ports
- Battery Powered, Hand-Held, and Portable Equipment
- Laptop Computers, Notebooks, Palmtops
- Digital Cameras
- PDA’s and PDA Cradles
- Cellular/Mobile Phones