The Adafruit RS232 Pal - Two Channel UART to RS-232 Level Shifters is the perfect solution for interfacing with RS-232 devices, often found in retro, industrial, or telecommunications equipment. This breakout board provides two duplex channels of level shifting, allowing you to communicate with RS-232 interfaces with ease.
Key Features:
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MAX3232E Chip: Based on the reliable MAX232 lineage, this chip handles all RS-232 level shifting requirements, supporting communication speeds up to 250Kbps.
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RS-232 Compatibility: RS-232 is an older standard used for various devices such as modems, barcode scanners, mice, and teletypes, and it requires voltage levels of +6V to -10V for signal transmission.
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Duplex Channels: Supports two-way communication with RX, TX, and two flow control pins (RTS, CTS) on both channels.
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3.3V Power and Logic Compatibility: Unlike many older chips, this breakout can run on 3.3V logic, making it compatible with modern microcontrollers and microcomputers.
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Voltage Generation: It safely handles the negative and high voltages needed for RS-232 communication and generates the necessary +12V/-12V signal rails.
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Pre-assembled: The breakout board comes fully assembled with UART for low voltage power/logic and RS-232 for high voltage signal connections, making it quick to set up.
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Easy to Use: Includes header pins for easy soldering onto a breadboard, enabling fast prototyping and integration.
This breakout board makes it simple to connect a microcontroller or microcomputer to RS-232 equipment without needing to manually wire up capacitors or deal with voltage conversion challenges. Perfect for projects that require reliable, high-voltage communication with retro or industrial RS-232 devices.