How does the MAX3421E electrically differ from the MAX3420E?
Both devices have two voltage pins, VCC and VL. VL serves as the threshold voltage for the on-chip level translators, which allow the parts to operate in mixed-voltage systems. If you compare the two supply currents, ICC and IL, for the two parts, you will see that they differ because:
The MAX3420E powers its oscillator, PLL, and transceiver from VCC, and its digital logic from VL.
The MAX3421E powers everything - the oscillator, PLL, transceiver, and its digital logic from VCC.
This results in a higher ICC than for the MAX3420E.
