19-0259; Rev 4; 10/03

Complete, Isolated RS-485/RS-422

Data Interface
_________________General Description Next-Generation Device Features

MAX1480A/B/C/MAX1490A/B
The MAX1480A/MAX1480B/MAX1480C/MAX1490A/ ♦ For Integrated ESD Protection
MAX1490B are complete, electrically isolated, RS-485/ MAX1480E/MAX1490E: ±15kV ESD-Protected,
RS-422 data-communications interface solutions in a Isolated RS-485/RS-422 Data Interfaces
hybrid microcircuit. Transceivers, optocouplers, and a ♦ For Space-Constrained Applications
transformer provide a complete interface in a standard MAX3157: High CMRR, RS-485 Transceiver with
DIP package. A single +5V supply on the logic side pow- ±50V Isolation
ers both sides of the interface.
The MAX1480B/MAX1480C/MAX1490B feature reduced- _______________Ordering Information
slew-rate drivers that minimize EMI and reduce reflec- PART† TEMP RANGE PIN-PACKAGE
tions caused by improperly terminated cables, allowing MAX1480ACPI 0°C to +70°C 28 Wide Plastic DIP
error-free data transmission at data rates up to 250kbps.
MAX1480AEPI -40°C to +85°C 28 Wide Plastic DIP
The MAX1480A/MAX1490A driver slew rate is not limited,
allowing transmission rates up to 2.5Mbps. The Ordering Information continued at end of data sheet.
†Data rate for “A” parts is up to 2.5Mbps. Data rate for “B” and
MAX1480A/B/C are designed for half-duplex communi-
“C” parts is up to 250kbps.
cation, while the MAX1490A/B feature full-duplex com-
munication.
_____________________Selection Table
Drivers are short-circuit current limited and protected
against excessive power dissipation by thermal shut- DRIVER
HALF/ DATA SLEW-
down circuitry that places the driver outputs into a high- ENABLE
PART FULL RATE RATE
impedance state. The receiver input has a fail-safe TIME
DUPLEX (MBPS) LIMITED
feature that guarantees a known output (RO low for the (µS)
MAX1480A/B/C, RO high for the MAX1490A/B/C) if the MAX1480A Half 2.5 No 0.2
input is open circuit.
MAX1480B Half 0.25 Yes 35
The MAX1480A/MAX1480B/MAX1480C/MAX1490A/
MAX1480C Half 0.25 Yes 0.5
MAX1490B typically withstand 1600VRMS (1 minute) or
2000VRMS (1 second). Their isolated outputs meet all MAX1490A Full 2.5 No —
RS-485/RS-422 specifications. The MAX1480A/B/C are MAX1490B Full 0.25 Yes —
available in a 28-pin DIP package, and the MAX1490A/B
are available in a 24-pin DIP package. Pin Configurations
________________________Applications
TOP VIEW
Isolated RS-485/RS-422 Data Interface VCC1 1 24 AC1 MAX1490A/B
Transceivers for EMI-Sensitive Applications VCC2 2 23 AC2

Industrial-Control Local Area Networks D1 3 22 ISO VCC1

Automatic Test Equipment D2 4 21 ISO RO DRV

HVAC/Building Control Networks GND1 5 20 A

MAX488
MAX490
MAX845

FS 6 19 B

SD 7 18 Z

VCC3 8 17 Y

DI 9 16 ISO COM1

VCC4 10 15 ISO DI DRV

RO 11 14 ISO VCC2

GND2 12 13 ISO RO LED

ISOLATION BARRIER
DIP
Pin Configurations continued at end of data sheet.

________________________________________________________________ Maxim Integrated Products 1

For pricing, delivery, and ordering information, please contact Maxim/Dallas Direct! at
1-888-629-4642, or visit Maxim’s website at www.maxim-ic.com.
 Complete, Isolated RS-485/RS-422
Data Interface
ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS
MAX1480A/B/C/MAX1490A/B

With Respect to GND_ LED Forward Current (DI, DE, ISO RO LED) ......................50mA
Supply Voltage (VCC_)...........................................-0.3V to +6V Continuous Power Dissipation (TA = +70°C)
Control Input Voltage (SD, FS)...............-0.3V to (VCC_ + 0.3V) 24-Pin Plastic DIP (derate 8.7mW°C above +70°C) .....696mW
Receiver Output Voltage (RO, RO)........-0.3V to (VCC_ + 0.3V) 28-Pin Plastic DIP (derate 9.09mW/°C above +70°C) ..727mW
Output Switch Voltage (D1, D2)........................................+12V Operating Temperature Ranges
With Respect to ISO COM_ MAX1480_CPI/MAX1490_CPG ............................0°C to +70°C
Control Input Voltage (ISO DE_ ) ....-0.3V to (ISO VCC_ + 0.3V) MAX1480_EPI/MAX1490_EPG .........................-40°C to +85°C
Driver Input Voltage (ISO DI_ ) .......-0.3V to (ISO VCC_ + 0.3V) Storage Temperature Range .............................-65°C to +160°C
Receiver Output Voltage (ISO RO_) ...-0.3V to (ISO VCC_ + 0.3V) Lead Temperature (soldering, 10s) .................................+300°C
Driver Output Voltage (A, B, Y, Z ) ......................-8V to +12.5V
Receiver Input Voltage (A, B)..............................-8V to +12.5V
Stresses beyond those listed under “Absolute Maximum Ratings” may cause permanent damage to the device. These are stress ratings only, and functional
operation of the device at these or any other conditions beyond those indicated in the operational sections of the specifications is not implied. Exposure to
absolute maximum rating conditions for extended periods may affect device reliability.

ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
(VCC_ = 5V ±10%, VFS = VCC_, TA = TMIN to TMAX, unless otherwise noted. Typical values are at VCC_ = 5V and TA = +25°C.) (Notes 1, 2)
PARAMETER SYMBOL CONDITIONS MIN TYP MAX UNITS
fSWL VFS = 0V 535
Switch Frequency kHz
fSWH FS = VCC_ or open 725
MAX1480A, RL = ∞, +25°C only 60 90
DE´ = VCC_ or open RL = 54Ω 120
MAX1480B, RL = ∞, +25°C only 35 45
DE´ = VCC_ or open RL = 54Ω 95
MAX1480C, RL = ∞, +25°C only 35 75
Operating Supply Current ICC mA
DE´ = VCC_ or open RL = 54Ω 95
RL = ∞, +25°C only 100 150
MAX1490A
RL = 54Ω 170
RL = ∞, +25°C only 65 125
MAX1490B
RL = 54Ω 130
Shutdown Supply Current
ISHDN SD = VCC_ 0.2 µA
(Note 3)
VSDH High 2.4
Shutdown Input Threshold V
VSDL Low 0.8
Shutdown Input Leakage Current 10 pA
VFSH High 2.4
FS Input Threshold V
VFSL Low 0.8
FS Input Pullup Current FS low 50 µA
FS Input Leakage Current FS high 10 pA
Input High Voltage VIH DE´, DI´ VCC_ - 0.4 V
Input Low Voltage VIL DE´, DI´ 0.4 V
Isolation Resistance RISO TA = +25°C, VISO = 50VDC 100 10,000 MΩ
Isolation Capacitance CISO TA = +25°C, VISO = 50VDC 10 pF
Differential Driver Output
VOD1 8 V
(No Load)

2 _______________________________________________________________________________________
 Complete, Isolated RS-485/RS-422
Data Interface
ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS (continued)

MAX1480A/B/C/MAX1490A/B
(VCC_ = 5V ±10%, VFS = VCC_, TA = TMIN to TMAX, unless otherwise noted. Typical values are at VCC_ = 5V and TA = +25°C.) (Notes 1, 2)
PARAMETER SYMBOL CONDITIONS MIN TYP MAX UNITS
Differential Driver Output R = 50Ω (RS-422) 2
VOD2 V
(With Load) R = 27Ω (RS-485), Figure 4 1.5 5.0
Change in Magnitude of Differential 0.3
R = 27Ω or 50Ω,
Differential Output Voltage for ∆VOD V
Figure 4 Common mode 0.3
Complementary Output States
Driver Common-Mode Output
VOC R = 27Ω or 50Ω, Figure 4 4 V
Voltage
MAX1490A/B 0.25
DE´ = 0V, VIN = 12V
MAX1480A/B/C 1
Input Current (A, B) ISO IIN VCC_ = 0V mA
or 5.5V MAX1490A/B 0.2
VIN = -7V
MAX1480A/B/C 0.8
Receiver Input Resistance RIN -7V ≤ VCM ≤ 12V 12 kΩ
Receiver Differential Threshold
VTH -7V ≤ VCM ≤ 12V -0.2 +0.2 V
Voltage
Receiver Input Hysteresis ∆VTH VCM = 0V 70 mV
Receiver Output/Receiver Output Using resistor values listed in
VOL 0.4 V
Low Voltage Tables 1 and 2
Receiver Output/Receiver Output
IOH VOUT = 5.5V 250 µA
High Current
Driver Short-Circuit Current ISO IOSD -7V ≤ VO ≤ 12V (Note 4) 100 mA

SWITCHING CHARACTERISTICS—MAX1480A/MAX1490A
(VCC_ = 5V ±10%, FS = VCC_, TA = TMIN to TMAX, unless otherwise noted. Typical values are at VCC_ = 5V and TA = +25°C.)
PARAMETER SYMBOL CONDITIONS MIN TYP MAX UNITS
Driver Input to Output tPLH Figures 5 and 7, RDIFF = 54Ω, CL1 = CL2 100 275
ns
Propagation Delay tPHL = 100pF 100 275
Figures 5 and 7, RDIFF = 54Ω, CL1 = CL2
Driver Output Skew tSKEW 25 90 ns
= 100pF
Figures 5 and 7, RDIFF = 54Ω, CL1 = CL2
Driver Rise or Fall Time tR, tF 15 40 ns
= 100pF
Driver Enable to Output High
tZH Figures 6 and 8, CL = 100pF, S2 closed 0.2 1.5 µs
(MAX1480A Only)
Driver Enable to Output Low
tZL Figures 6 and 8, CL = 100pF, S1 closed 0.2 1.5 µs
(MAX1480A Only)
Driver Disable Time from Low
tLZ Figures 6 and 8, CL = 15pF, S1 closed 0.2 1.5 µs
(MAX1480A Only)
Driver Disable Time from High
tHZ Figures 6 and 8, CL = 15pF, S2 closed 0.2 1.5 µs
(MAX1480A Only)
Receiver Input to Output tPLH Figures 5 and 10, RDIFF = 54Ω, CL1 = CL2 100 225
ns
Propagation Delay tPHL = 100pF 100 225

_______________________________________________________________________________________ 3
 Complete, Isolated RS-485/RS-422
Data Interface
SWITCHING CHARACTERISTICS—MAX1480A/MAX1490A (continued)
MAX1480A/B/C/MAX1490A/B

(VCC_ = 5V ±10%, FS = VCC_, TA = TMIN to TMAX, unless otherwise noted. Typical values are at VCC_ = 5V and TA = +25°C.)
PARAMETER SYMBOL CONDITIONS MIN TYP MAX UNITS
|tPLH - tPHL| Differential Receiver Figures 5 and 10, RDIFF = 54Ω, CL1 = CL2
tSKD 20 ns
Skew = 100pF
Maximum Data Rate fMAX tPLH, tPHL < 50% of data period 2.5 Mbps
Time to Shutdown tSHDN 100 µs
Shutdown to Driver Output High tZH(SHDN) Figures 6 and 9, CL = 100pF, S2 closed 3 10 µs
Shutdown to Driver Output Low tZL(SHDN) Figures 6 and 9, CL = 100pF, S1 closed 3 10 µs

SWITCHING CHARACTERISTICS—MAX1480B/MAX1480C/MAX1490B
(VCC_ = 5V ±10%, FS = VCC_, TA = TMIN to TMAX, unless otherwise noted. Typical values are at VCC_ = 5V and TA = +25°C.)

PARAMETER SYMBOL CONDITIONS MIN TYP MAX UNITS

Driver Input to Output tPLH Figures 5 and 7, RDIFF = 54Ω, 2 3.0
µs
Propagation Delay tPHL CL1 = CL2 = 100pF 2 3.0
Figures 5 and 7, RDIFF = 54Ω,
Driver Output Skew tSKEW 900 1600 ns
CL1 = CL2 = 100pF
Figures 5 and 7, RDIFF = 54Ω,
Driver Rise or Fall Time tR, tF 1.0 2.0 µs
CL1 = CL2 = 100pF
Driver Enable to Output High
tZH Figures 6 and 8, CL = 100pF, S2 closed 35 100 µs
(MAX1480B Only)
Driver Enable to Output Low
tZL Figures 6 and 8, CL = 100pF, S1 closed 35 100 µs
(MAX1480B Only)
Driver Disable Time from Low
tLZ Figures 6 and 8, CL = 15pF, S1 closed 13 50 µs
(MAX1480B Only)
Driver Disable Time from High
tHZ Figures 6 and 8, CL = 15pF, S2 closed 13 50 µs
(MAX1480B Only)
Driver Enable to Output High
tZH Figures 6 and 8, CL = 100pF, S2 closed 0.5 4.5 µs
(MAX1480C Only)
Driver Enable to Output Low
tZL Figures 6 and 8, CL = 100pF, S1 closed 0.5 4.5 µs
(MAX1480C Only)

4 _______________________________________________________________________________________
 Complete, Isolated RS-485/RS-422
Data Interface
SWITCHING CHARACTERISTICS—MAX1480B/MAX1480C/MAX1490B (continued)

MAX1480A/B/C, MAX1490A/B
(VCC_ = 5V ±10%, FS = VCC_, TA = TMIN to TMAX, unless otherwise noted. Typical values are at VCC_ = 5V and TA = +25°C.)
PARAMETER SYMBOL CONDITIONS MIN TYP MAX UNITS
Driver Disable Time from Low
tLZ Figures 6 and 8, CL = 15pF, S1 closed 2.0 4.5 µs
(MAX1480C Only)
Driver Disable Time from High
tHZ Figures 6 and 8, CL = 15pF, S2 closed 2.0 4.5 µs
(MAX1480C Only)
Receiver Input to Output tPLH Figures 5 and 10, RDIFF = 54Ω, 2 3.0
µs
Propagation Delay tPHL CL1 = CL2 = 100pF 2 3.0
|tPLH - tPHL| Differential Receiver Figures 5 and 10, RDIFF = 54Ω,
tSKD 1200 ns
Skew CL1 = CL2 = 100pF
Maximum Data Rate fMAX tPLH, tPHL < 50% of data period 0.25 Mbps
Time to Shutdown tSHDN 100 µs
Shutdown to Driver Output High tZH(SHDN) Figures 6 and 9, CL = 100pF, S2 closed 35 100 µs
Shutdown to Driver Output Low tZL(SHDN) Figures 6 and 9, CL = 100pF, S1 closed 35 100 µs

Note 1: All currents into device pins are positive; all currents out of device pins are negative. All voltages are referenced to logic-
side ground (GND_), unless otherwise specified.
Note 2: For DE´ and DI´ pin descriptions, see Detailed Block Diagram and Typical Application Circuit (Figure 1 for MAX1480A/
MAX1480B/MAX1480C, Figure 2 for MAX1490A/MAX1490B).
Note 3: Shutdown supply current is the current at VCC1 and VCC2 when shutdown is enabled.
Note 4: Applies to peak current (see Typical Operating Characteristics). Although the MAX1480A/B/C and MAX1490A/B provide
electrical isolation between logic ground and signal paths, they do not provide isolation between external shields and the
signal paths (see Isolated Common Connection section).

_______________________________________________________________________________________ 5
 Complete, Isolated RS-485/RS-422
Data Interface
MAX1480A/B/C, MAX1490A/B

__________________________________________Typical Operating Characteristics

(TA
(V = +25°C,
CC_ = 5V, FS
unless
= VCC_
otherwise
, TA = +25°C,
noted.)unless otherwise noted.)

OUTPUT CURRENT vs. OUTPUT CURRENT vs. RECEIVER OUTPUT HIGH VOLTAGE
RECEIVER OUTPUT LOW VOLTAGE RECEIVER OUTPUT HIGH VOLTAGE vs. TEMPERATURE
80 MAX1480/90A/B-01 -30 5.00

MAX1480/90A/B-02

MAX1480/90A/B-03
MEASURED AT ISO RO DRV MEASURED AT ISO RO DRV MEASURED AT ISO RO DRV
70 IRO = 8mA
4.75
-25

OUTPUT HIGH VOLTAGE (V)

60 4.50
OUTPUT CURRENT (mA)

OUTPUT CURRENT (mA)

-20
50 4.25

40 -15 4.00

30 3.75
-10
20 3.50
-5
10 3.25
0 0 3.00
0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0 0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80
OUTPUT LOW VOLTAGE (V) OUTPUT HIGH VOLTAGE (V) TEMPERATURE (°C)

RECEIVER OUTPUT LOW VOLTAGE OUTPUT CURRENT vs. OUTPUT CURRENT vs.
vs. TEMPERATURE DRIVER OUTPUT LOW VOLTAGE DRIVER OUTPUT HIGH VOLTAGE
0.8 180 -100
MAX1480/90A/B-04

MAX1480/90A/B-06
MAX1480/90A/B-05

MEASURED AT ISO RO DRV

IRO = 8mA 160 -90
0.7
140 -80
OUTPUT LOW VOLTAGE (V)

0.6
OUTPUT CURRENT (mA)
OUTPUT CURRENT (mA)

-70
120
0.5 -60
100
0.4 -50
80
0.3 -40
60
-30
0.2
40 -20
0.1 20 -10
0 0 0
-40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
TEMPERATURE (°C) OUTPUT LOW VOLTAGE (V) OUTPUT HIGH VOLTAGE (V)

DRIVER OUTPUT CURRENT DRIVER DIFFERENTIAL OUTPUT VOLTAGE MAX1480B/MAX1480C/MAX1490B

vs. DIFFERENTIAL OUTPUT VOLTAGE vs. TEMPERATURE SHUTDOWN CURRENT vs. TEMPERATURE
80 3.0 0.40
MAX1480/90A/B-07

MAX1480/90A/B-08

MAX1480/90A/B-09

DI´ = HIGH OR OPEN DI´ = HIGH OR OPEN SD = VCC_, DI´ = VCC_

70 2.9
RL = 54Ω
DIFFERENTIAL OUTPUT VOLTAGE (V)

0.35 DE´ (MAX1480B/C ONLY) = VCC_

2.8 MEASURED AT VCC1 AND VCC2
SHUTDOWN CURRENT (µA)

60
OUTPUT CURRENT (mA)

0.30
2.7
50 2.6 0.25
40 2.5 0.20

30 2.4
0.15
2.3
20 0.10
2.2
10 0.05
2.1
0 2.0 0
0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80
DIFFERENTIAL OUTPUT VOLTAGE (V) TEMPERATURE (°C) TEMPERATURE (°C)

6 _______________________________________________________________________________________
 Complete, Isolated RS-485/RS-422
Data Interface
_____________________________Typical Operating Characteristics (continued)

MAX1480A/B/C, MAX1490A/B
(VCC_ = 5V, FS = VCC_, TA = +25°C, unless otherwise noted.)

MAX1480A MAX1480B MAX1480C

SUPPLY CURRENT vs. TEMPERATURE SUPPLY CURRENT vs. TEMPERATURE SUPPLY CURRENT vs. TEMPERATURE
160 140 120

MAX1480/90A/B-12
MAX1480/90A/B-11
MAX1480/90A/B-10
VCC = 5.5V RL = 54Ω
VCC = 5.5V RL = 54Ω 110
140 120
VCC = 5.5V RL = 54Ω
VCC = 5.0V 100 VCC = 5.0V

SUPPLY CURRENT (mA)

120
SUPPLY CURRENT (mA)
VCC = 5.0V
SUPPLY CURRENT (mA)

100 90
VCC = 4.5V VCC = 4.5V
100 VCC = 4.5V 80
DE´ = VCC DE´ = VCC
RL = ∞ 80 70
80
DE´ = VCC
60
60 60 VCC = 5.5V RL = ∞
VCC = 5.5V 50
VCC = 5.0V RL = ∞ VCC = 5.0V
40 VCC = 5.5V VCC = 5.0V 40
VCC = 4.5V 40
20 30
VCC = 4.5V VCC = 4.5V
0 20 20
-40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80
TEMPERATURE (°C) TEMPERATURE (°C) TEMPERATURE (°C)

MAX1490A MAX1490B
SUPPLY CURRENT vs. TEMPERATURE SUPPLY CURRENT vs. TEMPERATURE
200 150

MAX1480/90A/B-14
MAX1480/90A/B-13

VCC = 5.5V
RL = 54Ω
VCC = 5.5V 140
180 VCC = 5.0V
130
VCC = 5.0V
SUPPLY CURRENT (mA)
SUPPLY CURRENT (mA)

120 VCC = 4.5V

160 RL = 54Ω
VCC = 4.5V
110
140 100
VCC = 5.5V 90
120 RL = ∞ VCC = 5.5V
VCC = 5.0V 80 VCC = 5.0V RL = ∞
70
100
60
VCC = 4.5V VCC = 4.5V
80 50
-40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80
TEMPERATURE (°C) TEMPERATURE (°C)

DRIVER DISABLE TIME DRIVER ENABLE TIME

vs. TEMPERATURE vs. TEMPERATURE
100 100
MAX1480/90A/B-15b
MAX1480/90A/B-15a

MAX1480B MAX1480B
DRIVER DISABLE TIME (µs)

DRIVER ENABLE TIME (µs)

10 10
RL = 54Ω
VDI´ = 0V MEASURED FROM
DE´ TO VALID OUTPUT
MAX1480C
1 RL = 54Ω 1
MAX1480C
VDI´ = 0V MEASURED FROM
DE´ TO VALID OUTPUT

MAX1480A MAX1480A
0.1 0.1
-40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80
TEMPERATURE (°C) TEMPERATURE (°C)

_______________________________________________________________________________________ 7
 Complete, Isolated RS-485/RS-422
Data Interface
MAX1480A/B/C, MAX1490A/B

_____________________________Typical Operating Characteristics (continued)

(VCC_ = 5V, FS = VCC_, VDI´ = 0V, DE´ toggled 0V to 5V at 5kHz, TA = +25°C, unless otherwise noted.)

MAX1480A MAX1480A
DRIVER ENABLE TIME DRIVER DISABLE TIME

MAX1480/90-20
MAX1480/90-19
DRIVER DRIVER
OUTPUT B OUTPUT B
2V/div 2V/div

DE´ DE´
2V/div 2V/div

200ns/div 200ns/div
VCC_ = 5.0V, DI´= 0V VCC_ = 5.0V, DI´ = 0V
DE´ TOGGLED 0V TO 5V AT 5kHz DE´ TOGGLED 0V TO 5V AT 5kHz

MAX1480B MAX1480B
DRIVER ENABLE TIME DRIVER DISABLE TIME
MAX1480/90-17

MAX1480/90-18
DRIVER
OUTPUT B DRIVER
2V/div OUTPUT B
2V/div

DE´
DE´
2V/div
2V/div

10µs/div 5µs/div
VCC_ = 5.0V, DI´= 0V VCC_ = 5.0V, DI´= 0V
DE´ TOGGLED 0V TO 5V AT 5kHz DE´ TOGGLED 0V TO 5V AT 5kHz

MAX1480C MAX1480C
DRIVER ENABLE TIME DRIVER DISABLE TIME
MAX1480/90-26
MAX1480/90-25

DRIVER DRIVER
OUTPUT B OUTPUT B
2V/div 2V/div

DE´ DE´
2V/div 2V/div

500ns/div 500ns/div
VCC_ = 5.0V, DI´= 0V VCC_ = 5.0V, DI´ = 0V
´ DE´ TOGGLED 0V TO 5V AT 5kHz

8 _______________________________________________________________________________________
 Complete, Isolated RS-485/RS-422
Data Interface
_____________________________Typical Operating Characteristics (continued)

MAX1480A/B/C, MAX1490A/B
(VCC_ = 5V, FS = VCC_, DE´ = VCC_, VDI´ = 0V to 5V at 1.25MHz, TA = +25°C, unless otherwise noted.)

MAX1480A/MAX1490A MAX1480A/MAX1490A
RECEIVER tPHL RECEIVER tPLH
MAX1480/90-21 MAX1480/90-22

RECEIVER RECEIVER
INPUT A INPUT B
1V/div 1V/div

RECEIVER RECEIVER
INPUT B INPUT A
1V/div 1V/div

RO RO
2V/div 2V/div

20ns/div 20ns/div
VCC_ = 5.0V, DE´= VCC_ VCC_ = 5.0V, DE´= VCC_
DI´ = 0V TO 5V AT 1.25MHz DI´ = 0V TO 5V AT 1.25MHz

MAX1480B/MAX1480C/MAX1490B MAX1480B/MAX1480C/MAX1490B
RECEIVER tPHL RECEIVER tPLH
MAX1480/90-23 MAX1480/90-24

RECEIVER RECEIVER
INPUT A INPUT A
1V/div 1V/div

RECEIVER RECEIVER
INPUT B INPUT B
1V/div 1V/div

RO RO
2V/div 2V/div

200ns/div 500ns/div
VCC_ = 5.0V, DE´= VCC_ VCC_ = 5.0V, DE´= VCC_
DI´= 0V TO 5V AT 125kHz DI´= 0V TO 5V AT 125kHz
POWER-UP DELAY TO DRIVER OUTPUTS VALID
MAX1480/90-16

DRIVER
OUTPUT B
(Z FOR MAX1490)
2V/div

SD
2V/div

1µs/div
VDI´ = 0V
VSD = 5V TO 0V AT 1kHz

_______________________________________________________________________________________ 9
 Complete, Isolated RS-485/RS-422
Data Interface
________________________________________________________________Pin Description
MAX1480A/B/C, MAX1490A/B

PIN
NAME FUNCTION
MAX1480A/B/C MAX1490A/B

PINS
PINSONONTHETHENON-ISOLATED
NON-ISOLATEDSIDE
SIDE
1, 2, 8, 10 1, 2, 8, 10 VCC1–VCC4 Logic-Side (nonisolated side) +5V Supply Voltages
3, 4 3, 4 D1, D2 Internal Connections. Leave these pins unconnected.
5 5 GND1 Logic-Side Ground. Connect to GND2 (pin 12).
Frequency Select Input. If FS = VCC_ or is open, switch frequency is high; if FS
6 6 FS = GND, switch frequency is low. For optimal performance and minimal supply
current, connect FS to VCC_ or leave unconnected.
Shutdown Input. Ground for normal operation. When high, the power oscillator is
7 7 SD
disabled.
Driver Input. With DE´ high (MAX1480A/B/C only), a low on DI´ forces output A
low and output B high. Similarly, a high on DI´ forces output A high and output
9 9 DI
B low. Drives internal LED cathode through a resistor (Table 1 of Figure 1 for
MAX1480A/B/C, Table 2 of Figure 2 for MAX1490A/B).

Driver-Enable Input. The driver outputs, A and B, are enabled by bringing DE´
high. The driver outputs are high impedance when DE´ is low. If the driver out-
11 — DE puts are enabled, the device functions as a line driver. While the driver outputs
are high impedance, the device functions as a line receiver. Drives internal
LED cathode through a resistor (Table 1 of Figure 1).
Receiver Output. If A > B by 200mV, RO will be high; if A < B by 200mV, RO
— 11 RO
will be low. Open collector; must have pullup to VCC (Table 2 of Figure 2).
12 12 GND2 Logic-Side Ground. Connect to GND1 (pin 5).
Receiver Output. If A > B by 200mV, RO will be low; if A < B by 200mV, RO will
13 — RO
be high. Open collector; must have pullup to VCC_ (Table 1 of Figure 1).
14 — VCC5 Logic-Side (non-isolated side) +5V Supply Voltage
PINS
PINSON
ONTHE
THEISOLATED
ISOLATEDRS-485/RS-422
RS-485/RS-422SIDE
SIDE
Isolated Receiver Output LED. Internal LED anode in MAX1480A/B/C and LED
15 13 ISO RO LED cathode in MAX1490A/B. Connect to ISO RO DRV through a resistor (Table 1 of
Figure 1 for MAX1480A/B/C; Table 2 of Figure 2 for MAX1490A/B).
16 — ISO COM2 Isolated Common. Connect to ISO COM1 (pin 20).
Isolated Driver-Enable Drive. The driver outputs, A and B, are enabled by bring-
ing DE´ high. The driver outputs are high impedance when DE´ is low. If the driv-
er outputs are enabled, the device functions as a line driver. While the driver
17 — ISO DE DRV
outputs are high impedance, the device functions as a line receiver. Open-
collector output; must have pullup to ISO VCC_ and be connected to ISO DE IN
for normal operation (Table 1 of Figure 1).
Isolated Supply Voltage. Connect to ISO VCC1 (pin 26 for MAX1480A/B/C, or
18 14 ISO VCC2
pin 22 for MAX1490A/B).
Isolated Driver-Input Drive. With DE´ high (MAX1480A/B/C only), a low on DI´
forces output A low and output B high. Similarly, a high on DI´ forces output A
19 15 ISO DI DRV high and output B low. Connect to ISO DI IN (on the MAX1480A/B/C only) for
normal operation. Open-collector output; connect a pullup resistor to ISO VCC_
(Table 1 of Figure 1 for MAX1480A/B/C; Table 2 of Figure 2 for MAX1490A/B).
Isolated Common. For MAX1480A/B/C, connect to ISO COM2 (pin 16)
20 16 ISO COM1
(Figures 1 and 2).

10 ______________________________________________________________________________________
 Complete, Isolated RS-485/RS-422
Data Interface
___________________________________________________Pin Description (continued)

MAX1480A/B/C, MAX1490A/B
PIN
NAME FUNCTION
MAX1480A/B/C MAX1490A/B

PINS ON THE ISOLATED RS-485/RS-422 SIDE (continued)

— 17 Y Noninverting Driver Output
— 18 Z Inverting Driver Output
— 19 B Inverting Receiver Input
— 20 A Noninverting Receiver Input
21 — ISO DE IN Isolated Driver-Enable Input. Connect to ISO DE DRV for normal operation.
22 — ISO DI IN Isolated Driver Input. Connect to ISO DI DRV for normal operation.
23 — A Noninverting Driver Output and Noninverting Receiver Input
Isolated Receiver-Output Drive. Connect to ISO RO LED through a resistor
24 21 ISO RO DRV
(Table 1 of Figure 1 for MAX1480A/B/C, Table 2 of Figure 2 for MAX1490A/B).
25 — B Inverting Driver Output and Inverting Receiver Input
26 22 ISO VCC1 Isolated Supply Voltage Source
27, 28 23, 24 AC2, AC1 Internal Connections. Leave these pins unconnected.

Note: For DE´ and DI´ pin descriptions, see Detailed Block Diagram and Typical Application Circuit (Figure 1 for MAX1480A/B/C,
Figure 2 for MAX1490A/B).

Detailed Description
The MAX1480A/MAX1480B/MAX1480C/MAX1490A/
MAX1490B are complete, electrically isolated, RS-485/
RS-422 data-communications interface solutions.
Transceivers, optocouplers, a power driver, and a
transformer in one standard 28-pin DIP package (24-
pin for the MAX1490A/B) provide a complete interface.
Signals and power are internally transported across the
isolation barrier (Figures 1, 2). Power is transferred from
the logic side (nonisolated side) to the isolated side of
the barrier through a center-tapped transformer.
Signals cross the barrier through high-speed optocou-
plers. A single +5V supply on the logic side powers
both sides of the interface. The MAX1480A/B/C offer
half-duplex communications while the MAX1490A/B
feature full-duplex communication. The functional
input/output relationships are shown in Tables 3–6.
The MAX1480B/MAX1480C/MAX1490B feature reduced-
slew-rate drivers that minimize EMI and reduce reflec-
tions caused by improperly terminated cables, allowing
error-free transmission at data rates up to 250kbps. The
MAX1480A/MAX1490A driver slew rate is not limited,
allowing transmission rates up to 2.5Mbps.
The MAX1480B/MAX1480C/MAX1490B shutdown feature
reduces supply current to as low as 0.2µA by using the
SD pin (see Low-Power Shutdown Mode section).
Use the FS pin to select between high and low switching
frequencies for the isolated power driver. The driver
switches at the lower frequency 535kHz when FS is low,
and at the higher frequency 725kHz when FS is high. The
FS pin has a weak internal pull-up that switches the
device to the high-frequency mode when FS is left
unconnected. With FS high or open, no-load supply
current is reduced by approximately 4mA, and by up to
8mA when fully loaded. For optimal performance and
minimal supply current, connect FS to VCC_ or leave
unconnected.
Drivers are short-circuit current limited and are protect-
ed against excessive power dissipation by thermal
shutdown circuitry that puts the driver outputs into a
high-impedance state. The receiver input has a fail-safe
feature that guarantees a logic-high RO (logic-low RO)
output if the input is open circuit.
On the MAX1480A/B/C, the driver outputs are enabled
by bringing DE´ high. Driver-enable times are typically
0.2µs for the MAX1480A, 35µs for the MAX1480B, and
0.5µs for the MAX1480C. Allow time for the devices to be
enabled before sending data (see the Driver Enable
Time vs. Temperature graph in the Typical Operating
Characteristics). When enabled, driver outputs function
as line drivers. Driver outputs are high impedance when
DE´ is low. While outputs are high impedance, they func-
tion as line receivers.

______________________________________________________________________________________ 11
 Complete, Isolated RS-485/RS-422
Data Interface
MAX1480A/B/C, MAX1490A/B

VCC3
ISO VCC1

MAX845 D1
Q MAX1480A: MAX1487
N MAX1480B: MAX487
OSC MAX1480C: MAX487
FS T F/F
1.07MHz/ ISO DI IN B
1.45MHz D2 D
Q
N ISO DE IN A

ISO RO DRV R

SD GND1 RE

ISO COM1

EXTERNAL RS-485/RS-422 WIRING

TERMINATING RESISTOR
MAX1480A/B/C (ONE RESISTOR ON EACH END)
VIN VCC1
1 28 AC1 (MAKE NO CONNECTION)
5V TWISTED PAIR
VCC2 TO OTHER TRANSCEIVERS
C1 C2 2 27 AC2 (MAKE NO CONNECTION)

D1 3 26 ISO VCC1 B RL
22µF 0.1µF
B
D2 4 25
SHIELD (OPTIONAL)
GND1 ISO RO DRV
5 24
A TWISTED PAIR
MAX845 MAX1487
FS 6 23 A TO OTHER TRANSCEIVERS
MAX487
SD
74HC86 7 22 ISO DI IN R6 SH RL
OR EQUIVALENT VCC3 ISO DE IN
8 21
R1 R4 SHIELD (OPTIONAL)
DI DRIVER INPUT DI
9 20 ISO COM1
DI´ VCC4
10 19 ISO DI DRV
R2
DE DRIVER ENABLE DE R5 NOTE: RESISTOR R7 PROTECTS
11 18 ISO VCC2 THE MAX1480A/B/C FROM TRANSIENT
DE´ R7
GND2
R3 12 17 ISO DE DRV 100Ω CURRENTS BETWEEN SHIELD AND
RECEIVER OUTPUT TRANSMISSION LINES.
RO 13 ISO COM2
16
RO VCC5 ISO RO LED
14 15

LOGIC GROUND ISOLATION BARRIER ISOLATED COMMON

Table 1. Pull-Up and LED Drive Resistors

PART R1 (Ω) R2 (Ω) R3 (Ω) R4 (Ω) R5 (Ω) R6 (Ω)
MAX1480A 200 200 1000 4300 1000 200
MAX1480B 200 510 3000 2200 3000 200
MAX1480C 200 200 3000 3000 3000 200

Figure 1. MAX1480A/MAX1480B/MAX1480C Detailed Block Diagram and Typical Application Circuit

The MAX1480A/MAX1480B/MAX1480C/MAX1490A/ Low-Power Shutdown Mode

MAX1490B typically withstand 1600VRMS (1 minute) or The SD pin shuts down the oscillator on the internal power
2000VRMS (1 second). The logic inputs can be driven driver. With the primary side in shutdown, no power is
from TTL/CMOS-logic with a series resistor, and the transferred across the isolation barrier. The DI and DE
received data output can directly drive TTL or CMOS- optocouplers, however, still consume current if the drive
logic families with only resistive pullup. signals on the nonisolated side are low. Therefore, leave
DI´ and DE´ high or floating when in shutdown mode.

12 ______________________________________________________________________________________
 Complete, Isolated RS-485/RS-422
Data Interface

MAX1480A/B/C, MAX1490A/B
VCC3

MAX845 D1
Q
N
OSC R A
FS 1.07MHz/ T F/F
1.45MHz ISO RO DRV
D2 B
Q ISO DI DRV MAX1490A: MAX490
N
MAX1490B: MAX488 Z

SD GND1 Y

MAX1490A/B
VIN EXTERNAL RS-485/RS-422 WIRING
5V
VCC1 TERMINATING RESISTOR
C1 C2 1 24 AC1 (MAKE NO CONNECTION)
(ONE RESISTOR ON EACH END)
VCC2
22µF 0.1µF 2 23 AC2 (MAKE NO CONNECTION)
TWISTED PAIR
D1 3 22 ISO VCC1 TO OTHER TRANSCEIVERS
D2 4 21 ISO RO DRV RL RL
GND1 5 20 A A
SHIELD (OPTIONAL)
MAX488
MAX490
MAX845

FS 6 19 B B

SD 7 18 Z Z TWISTED PAIR
RL
74HC86 TO OTHER TRANSCEIVERS
OR EQUIVALENT VCC3 8 17 Y Y
R1 RL
R5, 100Ω
DI DRIVER INPUT DI 9 16 ISO COM1 SH1

DI´ VCC4 10 R4
15 ISO DI DRV SH2 SHIELD (OPTIONAL)
RECEIVER OUTPUT R2
R0 11 14 ISO VCC2 R6, 100Ω
RO R3
GND2 12 13 ISO RO LED
NOTE: RESISTORS R5 AND R6 PROTECT
THE MAX1490A/B FROM TRANSIENT
ISOLATION BARRIER ISOLATED COMMON CURRENTS BETWEEN SHIELD AND
TRANSMISSION LINES.
LOGIC GROUND

Table 2. Pull-Up and LED Drive Resistors

PART R1 (Ω) R2 (Ω) R3 (Ω) R4 (Ω)
MAX1490A 200 1000 330 1000
MAX1490B 200 3000 330 3000

Figure 2. MAX1490A/MAX1490B Detailed Block Diagram and Typical Application Circuit

Under these conditions, the MAX1480B/MAX1480C/ tion, SD is low, turning the MOSFET on and thereby pro-
MAX1490B supply current is reduced to as low as 0.2µA. viding power to all the VCC_ pins. When SD is pulled high,
The high-speed optocouplers on the MAX1480A/ the power oscillator is disabled and the switch is turned
MAX1480C/MAX1490A consume an additional 10mA off, disconnecting power from the DI and DE optocou-
through VCC5 (VCC4 for the MAX1490A). Therefore, to plers. In normal operating mode, the switch carries only
completely shut down these devices, use an external P- the optocoupler currents, so an on-resistance of several
channel MOSFET as shown in Figure 3. In normal opera- ohms will not significantly degrade efficiency.

______________________________________________________________________________________ 13
 Complete, Isolated RS-485/RS-422
Data Interface
MAX1480A/B/C, MAX1490A/B

VIN VCC1 1 MAX1480A

28 AC1
5V
VCC2 2 27 AC2
D1 3 26 ISO VCC1
D2 4 25 B

Si943304 GND1 5 24 ISO RO DRV

P
FS 6 MAX845 MAX1487 23 A
SD 7 22 ISO DI IN
SHUTDOWN
VCC3 8 21 ISO DE IN
R1
DI 9 20 ISO COM1
DI
VCC4 10 19 ISO DI DRV
R2
DE 11 18 ISO VCC2
DE
GND2 12 17 ISO DE DRV
R3
RO 13 16 ISO COM2
RO
VCC5 15 ISO RO LED
14

ISOLATION BARRIER
GND

Figure 3. MAX1480A Low-Power Shutdown Mode

Test Circuits

ISOLATION BARRIER ISOLATION BARRIER

R (DE´)

CL1 ( ) ARE FOR

D VOD THE MAX1480A/B/C
RDIFF
R VOC DI´ D VID R RO (RO)*

* OPTOCOUPLER
CL2 OUTPUTS. SEE FIGURES 1
AND 2 FOR DETAILED BLOCK
DIAGRAM AND TYPICAL
APPLICATION CIRCUIT.

Figure 4. Driver DC Test Load Figure 5. Driver/Receiver Timing Test Circuit

14 ______________________________________________________________________________________
 Complete, Isolated RS-485/RS-422
Data Interface
____________________________________________________Test Circuits (continued)

MAX1480A/B/C, MAX1490A/B
ISO VCC_
500Ω S1
OUTPUT
UNDER TEST
CL
S2

Figure 6. Driver Timing Test Load

Switching Waveforms

VCC_ - 0.4V VCC_ - 0.4V

VCC_ - 0.4V 2 2 VCC_ -0.4V
VCC_ - 0.4V VCC_ - 0.4V
DI´ 0V DE´ 2 2
tPLH tPHL 1/2 VO 0V

B tZL tLZ
A, B
VO
2.3V OUTPUT NORMALLY LOW VOL + 0.5V
A VOL
1/2 VO
VDIFF = V (A) - V (B) OUTPUT NORMALLY HIGH
VO A, B
VDIFF 90% 90% VOH - 0.5V
0V 10% 10% 2.3V
-VO 0V
tR tF tZH tHZ
tSKEW = tPLH - tPHL 

Figure 7. Driver Propagation Delays and Transition Times Figure 8. Driver Enable and Disable Times

VID INPUT
2.4V 0V 0V
SD -VID
1.6V 1.6V
0.8V VA - VB

tZL(SHDN) tSHDN MAX1490A/B

A, B OUTPUT
RO VOH tPHL
2.3V OUTPUT NORMALLY LOW VOL + 0.5V 1.5V 1.5V
VOL VOL
tPLH
OUTPUT NORMALLY HIGH
A, B
VOH - 0.5V VOH
2.3V RO MAX1480A/B/C
0V VOL 1.5V OUTPUT 1.5V
tZH(SHDN) tSHDN
tPHL tPLH
tSKEW = tPLH - tPHL

Figure 9. Times to/from Shutdown Figure 10. Receiver Propagation Delays

______________________________________________________________________________________ 15
 Complete, Isolated RS-485/RS-422
Data Interface
MAX1480B/MAX1480C/MAX1490B: _____________________Function Tables
MAX1480A/B/C, MAX1490A/B

Reduced EMI and Reflections

The MAX1480B/MAX1480C/MAX1490B are slew-rate- Half-Duplex Devices
limited, minimizing EMI and reducing reflections (MAX1480A/MAX1480B/MAX1480C)
caused by improperly terminated cables. Figure 11
shows both the driver output waveform of a
MAX1480A/MAX1490A transmitting a 150kHz signal Table 3. Transmitting
and the Fourier analysis of that waveform. High-fre- INPUTS* OUTPUTS
quency harmonics with large amplitudes are evident.
Figure 12 shows the same information for the slew-rate- DE´ DI´ B A
limited MAX1480B/MAX1480C/MAX1490B transmitting 1 1 0 1
the same signal. The high-frequency harmonics have 1 0 1 0
much lower amplitudes, and therefore the potential for 0 X High-Z High-Z
EMI is significantly reduced.
X = Don’t care
High-Z = High impedance

Table 4. Receiving
INPUTS* OUTPUT
DE´ VA - VB (RO)
10dB/div 0 ≥ +0.2V 0
0 ≤ -0.2V 1
0 Open 0

0Hz 5MHz
500kHz/div Full-Duplex Devices
(MAX1490A/MAX1490B)
Figure 11. Driver Output Waveform and FFT Plot of
MAX1480A/MAX1490A Transmitting a 150kHz Signal
Table 5. Transmitting
INPUT* OUTPUTS
(DI´) Z Y
1 0 1
0 1 0

* For DE´ and DI´ pin descriptions, see Detailed Block Diagram
10dB/div and Typical Application Circuit (Figure 1 for MAX1480A/B/C,
Figure 2 for MAX1490A/B).

Table 6. Receiving
0Hz 5MHz INPUT OUTPUT
500kHz/div (VA - VB) (RO)
≥ +0.2V 1
Figure 12. Driver Output Waveform and FFT Plot of
≤ -0.2V 0
MAX1480B/MAX1480C/MAX1490B Transmitting a 150kHz
Signal Open 1

16 ______________________________________________________________________________________
 Complete, Isolated RS-485/RS-422
Data Interface

MAX1480A/B/C, MAX1490A/B
TERMINATING RESISTOR
(ONE RESISTOR ON EACH END)

B
DI
D
120Ω
DE
A

A B A B R RO
100Ω

RE
RE R RE R

D D

RO DE DI RO DE DI

TERMINATING RESISTOR
VIN (ONE RESISTOR ON EACH END)
5V MAX1480A/B/C
VCC1
1 28 AC1 (MAKE NO CONNECTION)
VCC2
C1 C2 2 27 AC2 (MAKE NO CONNECTION)

D1 3 26 ISO VCC1 B
22µF 0.1µF
D2 4 25 B
GND1 ISO RO DRV
5 24 120Ω
A
MAX845 MAX487
FS 6
MAX1487 23 A
R6
SD
74HC86 7 22 ISO DI IN SH
R4 SHIELD
OR EQUIVALENT VCC3 ISO DE IN
8 21 (OPTIONAL)
R1
DI DRIVER INPUT DI
9 20 ISO COM1 NOTE: RESISTOR R7 PROTECTS
R5 THE MAX1480A/B/C FROM
VCC4
10 19 ISO DI DRV TRANSIENT CURRENTS
R2
DE DRIVER ENABLE DE BETWEEN SHIELD AND
11 18 ISO VCC2 TRANSMISSION LINES.
GND2 R7
R3 12 17 ISO DE DRV 100Ω
RECEIVER OUTPUT
RO 13 ISO COM2
16
RO VCC5 ISO RO LED
14 15

LOGIC GROUND ISOLATION BARRIER ISOLATED COMMON

Figure 13. Typical Half-Duplex RS-485/RS-422 Network

______________________________________________________________________________________ 17
 Complete, Isolated RS-485/RS-422
Data Interface
Driver Output Protection ___________Applications Information
MAX1480A/B/C, MAX1490A/B

There are two mechanisms to prevent excessive output

DI and DE are intended to be driven through a
current and power dissipation caused by faults or by
series current-limiting resistor. Directly grounding
bus contention. A foldback current limit on the output
these pins destroys the device.
stage provides immediate protection against short cir-
cuits over the entire common-mode range (see the The MAX1480A/MAX1480B/MAX1480C are designed
Typical Operating Characteristics). In addition, a ther- for bidirectional data communications on multipoint
mal shutdown circuit forces the driver outputs into a bus-transmission lines. The MAX1490A/MAX1490B are
high-impedance state if the die temperature rises designed for full-duplex bidirectional communications
excessively. that are primarily point-to-point. Figures 13 and 14
show half-duplex and full-duplex typical network appli-
Propagation Delay Skew cation circuits, respectively. To minimize reflections,
Typical propagation delays are shown in the Typical terminate the line at both ends with its characteristic
Operating Characteristics using the test circuit of impedance, and keep stub lengths off the main line as
Figure 5. Propagation delay skew is simply the differ- short as possible. The slew-rate-limited MAX1480B/
ence between the low-to-high and high-to-low propaga- MAX1480C/MAX1490B are more tolerant of imperfect
tion delay. Small driver/receiver skew times help termination and stubs off the main line.
reduce EMI and reflections by maintaining balanced
differential signals. Layout Considerations
The MAX1480A/MAX1480B/MAX1480C/MAX1490A/
The receiver skew time, I tPLH - tPHL I, is typically under
MAX1490B pinouts enable optimal PC board layout by
100ns for the MAX1480A/MAX1490A and under 1µs for
minimizing interconnect lengths and crossovers.
the MAX1480B/MAX1480C/MAX1490B.
• For maximum isolation, the “isolation barrier” should
The driver skew time is typically 25ns for the
not be breached except by the MAX1480A/
MAX1480A/MAX1490A and 100ns for the MAX1480B/
MAX1480B/MAX1480C/MAX1490A/MAX1490B.
MAX1480C/MAX1490B.

VIN
MAX1490A/B
5V
VCC1
C1 C2 1 24 AC1 (MAKE NO CONNECTION)
VCC2
22µF 0.1µF 2 23 AC2 (MAKE NO CONNECTION)
D1 3 22 ISO VCC1 Y
120Ω
D2 4 21 ISO RO DRV D DI
120Ω
GND1 5 20 A A Z
SHIELD (OPTIONAL)
MAX845

MAX488
MAX490

FS 6 19 B B

SD 7 18 Z Z 120Ω
74HC86 B
OR EQUIVALENT VCC3 8 17 Y Y
R1 R5, 100Ω 120Ω R RO
DI DI 9 16 ISO COM1 SH1 A
DI´ R4 SHIELD (OPTIONAL)
VCC4 10 15 ISO DI DRV SH2
DRIVER INPUT R2
RO 11 14 ISO VCC2 R6, 100Ω
RO RECEIVER OUTPUT R3 NOTE: RESISTORS R5 AND R6 PROTECT
GND2 12 13 ISO RO LED THE MAX1490A/B FROM TRANSIENT
CURRENTS BETWEEN SHIELD AND
ISOLATED COMMON TRANSMISSION LINES.
ISOLATION BARRIER

LOGIC GROUND

Figure 14. Typical Full-Duplex RS-485/RS-422 Network

18 ______________________________________________________________________________________
 Complete, Isolated RS-485/RS-422
Data Interface
Connections and components from one side should The DI and DE (MAX1480A/B/C only) inputs are the

not be located near those of the other side.
• A shield trace connected to the ground on each side
of the barrier can help intercept capacitive currents
that might otherwise couple into the signal path. In a
double-sided or multilayer board, these shield traces
should be present on all conductor layers.
• Try to maximize the width of the isolation barrier
wherever possible; a clear space of at least 0.25
inches between ground and isolated common is
suggested.
Pullup and LED Drive Resistors
The MAX1480A/MAX1480B/MAX1480C/MAX1490A/
MAX1490B are specified and characterized using the
resistor values shown in Table 1 of Figure 1 and Table
2 of Figure 2. Altering the recommended values can
degrade performance.
MAX1480A/B/C, MAX1490A/B
cathodes of LEDs whose anodes are connected to the
supply. These points are best driven by a CMOS-logic
gate with a series resistor to limit the current. The resis-
tor values shown in Tables 1 and 2 are recommended
when the 74HC86 gate or equivalent is used. These
values may need to be adjusted if a driving gate with
dissimilar series resistance is used.
All pull-up resistors are based on optocoupler specifica-
tions in order to optimize the devices’ data-transfer rates.
Isolated Common Connection
The isolated common may be completely floating with
respect to the logic ground and the effective network
ground. The receiver input resistors will cause the iso-
lated common voltage to go to the mean voltage of the
receiver inputs. If using shielded cable, connect the
isolated common to the shield through a 100Ω resistor.
In the case of the MAX1490, each shield should have
its own 100Ω resistor (Figures 1, 2, 13, and 14).

+5V +5V

NETWORK SEGMENT A NETWORK SEGMENT B

2 8 10 14 3kΩ 2 8 10 14
A 23 200Ω 23 A
13 1 2 9
B 25 25 B

26 3kΩ 26
74HC04
3kΩ MAX1480C 200Ω
MAX1480C
3kΩ
9 4 3 13
3kΩ 19 19
3kΩ
22 DRIVER DRIVER 22
17 ENABLE
17
ENABLE
21 200Ω 200Ω 21
B>A A>B
24 11 11 24
200Ω 200Ω
15 15
5 7 12 5 7 12

+5V +5V
51kΩ 1000pF 51kΩ 1000pF

16 15 14 7 6
2 B Q 13 10 B Q 5

74HC123 74HC123
1 A Q 4 9 A Q 12
CLR CLR
3 11

Figure 15. Doubly Isolated RS-485 Repeater

______________________________________________________________________________________ 19
 Complete, Isolated RS-485/RS-422
Data Interface
Doubly Isolated RS-485 Repeater
MAX1480A/B/C, MAX1490A/B
The RS-422/RS-485 standard is specified for cable
lengths up to 4000 feet. When approaching or exceed-
ing the specified maximum cable length, a ground-
potential difference of several tens of volts can easily
develop. This difference can be either DC, AC, at
power-line frequency, or any imaginable noise or
impulse waveform. It is typically very low impedance so
that if a connection between the two grounds is
attempted, very large currents may flow. These cur-
rents are by their nature unstable and unpredictable. In
addition, they may cause noise to be injected into sen-
sitive instrumentation and, in severe cases, might actu-
ally cause physical damage to such equipment.
Figure 15 shows a half-duplex (two-wire), bidirectional,
party-line repeater system that prevents interference
and/or damage from ground-potential differences. Two
MAX1480A/MAX1480B/MAX1480C isolated RS-485
transceivers are used to isolate each of the network
segments from the electrical environment of the
repeater. The MAX1480A/MAX1480B/MAX1480C also
regenerate bus signals that may have been degraded
by line attenuation or dispersion.
20 ______________________________________________________________________________________
In the idle state, both transmitters are disabled, while all
receivers in the system are enabled. If any device on
the system has information for any other device, it starts
sending its data onto the bus. Each data transmission
on the bus retriggers the one-shot, keeping the sending
transmitter enabled until there are no more transmis-
sions. All receivers receive all data; if this is undesir-
able, the protocol must allow for an address field so
receivers can ignore data not directed to them.
Each node must refrain from transmitting when data
already exists on the bus, and must resend data that is
corrupted by the collisions that inevitably occur with a
party-line system. With the repeater of Figure 15, there
might be transmitters up to 8000 feet apart. That repre-
sents more than 8µs (assuming 1ns/foot of delay) in
which two nodes could be transmitting simultaneously.
The circuit in Figure 15 can be used either directly as
shown, with the slew-rate-limited MAX1480B/
MAX1480C, for data transfer rates up to 250kbps, or
with the MAX1480A for data rates up to 2.5Mbps (see
Table 1 for pullup and LED resistor values when using
the MAX1480A or MAX1480B). If dual-port isolation is
not needed, one of the MAX1480C devices can be
replaced by a MAX487 for 250kbps applications.
 Complete, Isolated RS-485/RS-422
Data Interface
Ordering Information (continued) Pin Configurations (continued)

MAX1480A/B/C, MAX1490A/B
PART† TEMP RANGE PIN-PACKAGE
MAX1480BCPI 0°C to +70°C 28 Wide Plastic DIP TOP VIEW
MAX1480BEPI -40°C to +85°C 28 Wide Plastic DIP MAX1480A/B/C
MAX1480CCPI 0°C to +70°C 28 Wide Plastic DIP
VCC1 1 28 AC1
MAX1480CEPI -40°C to +85°C 28 Wide Plastic DIP
VCC2 2 27 AC2
MAX1490ACPG 0°C to +70°C 24 Wide Plastic DIP
MAX1490AEPG -40°C to +85°C 24 Wide Plastic DIP D1 3 26 ISO VCC1

MAX1490BCPG 0°C to +70°C 24 Wide Plastic DIP D2 4 25 B

MAX1490BEPG -40°C to +85°C 24 Wide Plastic DIP GND1 5 24 ISO RO DRV
†Data rate for “A” parts is up to 2500kbps. Data rate for “B” and MAX845 MAX487
FS 6 MAX1487 23 A
“C” parts is up to 250kbps.
SD 7 22 ISO DI IN
VCC3 8 21 ISO DE IN

DI 9 20 ISO COM1
VCC4 10 19 ISO DI DRV
DE 11 18 ISO VCC2

GND2 12 17 ISO DE DRV

RO 13 16 ISO COM2
VCC5 14 15 ISO RO LED

ISOLATION BARRIER
DIP

Package Information
For the latest package outline information, go to
www.maxim-ic.com/packages.

Maxim cannot assume responsibility for use of any circuitry other than circuitry entirely embodied in a Maxim product. No circuit patent licenses are
implied. Maxim reserves the right to change the circuitry and specifications without notice at any time.

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