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Schematic review request for RS232 to 1.8V–5V TTL level shifter

Category: Hardware
Product Number: LTC2802

Hi,

I drew the following schematic:

It is an interface between RS232 and logic powered between 1.8V and 5V.
I would ask you for a review.
Especially the LEDs on the RS232 signals, I am afraid they cause too much degradation.

I tried two other variations.
One is this:

In this case, RS232 signals are connected to transistor bases. But the specification talks about a 3k load, so again I suspect it may not work. You also see two different configurations, one using VDD and VEE and one using only VDD. I don't know which one might be better.

in the last variant, I moved the leds to the ttl side, and thus the logic of turning on the leds must reverse:

again there are two variants, a simpler one but with worse consumption and a more complex one.
The question here, as in the previous case, is whether I can drain all this current from the VDD and VEE pins. There is no indication of this in the datasheet, so I suspect that I can't really use them at all.
If so, I would have to give up any LEDs on my board.

so in addition to reviewing the connections and components around the LTC2802, I ask if there is a reliable way to have activity LEDs on both rx and tx considering that the only reliable power supply I have can be as low as 1.8V.

  • Hi,

    The VDD and VEE pins are not output pins, so they should not be used as a supply source for external circuits. They are for positive and negative supply rails for the RS-232 driver only. Typical LEDs draw about 20mA, and that could interrupt signal lines. I am not aware of any ultra-low forward voltage and low current LED can be used with a single 1.8V supply. In addition, please note all our guaranteed specs on our EC table refers to either typical application circuit or test circuits on page 5 and 6 of the datasheet.

    Best,

    Jane

  • Hi Jane,

    In fact, I had guessed that was the case.

    I modified my schematic:


    I would ask you for a review.

    Particularly connections, capacitor values, etc. Basically, I'm asking if you see any errors or critical issues.

    best regards
    Max

  • Hi Max,

    Your updated schematic looks good. You have already used the recommended components and values from the datasheet. Your current setting is at normal mode, with driver, receiver, and the dc-dc converter on.

    Best,

    Jane

  • Hi Jane,

    I checked again on the datasheet, there are some points that seem to contradict what you say:

    datasheet page 3

    Here they are declared output voltage.


    datasheet page 13, figure 19:

    Is this the chip on the left powering (VDD and VEE) the one on the right?

    If the chip on the right is able to generate its own VDD and VEE supplies, why connect them together between the two chips?


    datasheet pag 9:

    here we can see that VDD and VEE power an internal part of the chip, so they could power small external loads (an LED can turn on even with less than 3mA). Unfortunately, the tables lack the parameter of how much current the two rails can supply (in case they are really outputs)

    best regards

    Max

  • Hi Max,

    The VEE and VDD are the outputs of the boost regulator for the driver, so they are listed under power supply generator. However, if you check the pin function table on page 8. It is clearly states VDD and VEE pins are generated supply voltages for RS232 driver. These two voltages are designed for internal use, so we do not have a spec for max. output current.

    Figure 19 shows connections for two LTC2801/2/3/4 sharing one DC-DC regulator. The left chip is not powering the right chip. Please see the link below for the apps note regarding the figures on the datasheet.

    https://www.analog.com/en/resources/technical-articles/tiny-rs232-transceivers-run-directly-from-batteries.html

    Best,

    Jane