Products Mentioned

MAX3491 Production
The MAX3483, MAX3485, MAX3486, MAX3488, MAX3490, and MAX3491 are 3.3V, low-power transceivers for RS-485 and RS-422 communication. Each part contains one...
Datasheet
MAX3491 on Analog.com

MAX3491E Production
Devices in the MAX3483E family (MAX3483E/MAX3485E/MAX3486E/MAX3488E/MAX3490E/MAX3491E) are ±15kV ESD-protected, +3.3V, low-power transceivers for RS-485...
Datasheet
MAX3491E on Analog.com

Thread Details

  • State Verified Answer
  • Replies 2 replies
  • Subscribers 23 subscribers
  • Views 100 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
 
Related Content

        

            Post
             Go back to editing
        

    

    


    

    









		


















	
	
			
	
			
		
	
	
		

	    
	    
	    		
Can I use the MAX3491 outputs as RS-232?

		
	
				

			

									
					    emnet
					
							

            
            			
				
									
											
			
			
				
			
			
			    	
			                    
                
				                on May 28, 2026 
				
			
			
		

		
		                    	    

        	    
Thread Summary

                The user inquired about using the MAX3491 IC for RS232 communication by using two of its four outputs. The final answer clarifies that the MAX3491 is designed for differential RS485/RS422 signaling and cannot be used directly for RS232. For applications requiring both interfaces, the MAX3160 and LTC2872 families are recommended as they support switching between RS232 and RS485.
                        	    

                
                     AI Generated Content
                
    	    

             
				
        		

		    
		    		    

		      		            		        
Category: Hardware

    		        		            		    
Product Number:  MAX3491E , MAX349 

    		        		    		    

		    		    
		    			

			    
Hello,


I designed a board with the MAX3491 IC to implement RS422/RS485 UART communication.


The client now wants to check if it can work with RS232 standard as well. I was wondering if they can use 2 of the 4 outputs and if it will work as RS232. For example, use the two non-inverting outputs (A, pin 12 and Y, pin 9). If the configuration I suggest is incorrect, is there another one that can work?


Is that possible?


Thank you.

			

			
									
		                             
                        

    

                                            
                 rs422
                
                                                    
                 MAX3491E
                
                                                    
                 hardware
                
                                                    
                 uart
                
                                                    
                 MAX349
                
                                        
                                            
                
                
                                        
                                            
                
                
                                        
                                            
                
                
                                        
                                            
                
                
                                
                    Show More