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FT3243S Low Power +3V to +5.5V, 3D, 5R 250kbps RS232 Transceiver IC
Datasheet
Version 1.0
Document No.: FT_000635 Clearance No.: FTDI# 342
3 Function Description
The FT3243S device is a 3V powered EIA/TIA-232 and V.28/V.24 communications interface device
tailored for low power designs. The device consists of 3 line drivers, 5 line receivers and switch-capacitor
regulated voltage converters. The device operates from a single 3V to 5.5V power supply at guaranteed
data rates of 250kbps with enhanced ESD protection on all RS232 IO pins, exceeding +/-15kV IEC1000-
4-2 Air gap discharge and +/-8kV IEC1000-4-2 Contact discharge.
3.1 Switch-Capacitor Regulated Voltage
The FT3242S device uses switch-capacitor voltage-controlled source and current sink generators to
provide bipolar voltages to maintain compliant EIA/RS232 levels regardless of power supply fluctuations.
The design consists of an internally regulated oscillator, a two phase clock cycling, regulated
complementary MOS switches, fast switching diode and switch capacitors.
The switch capacitor bi-directional current generators operate with smartly regulated CMOS switches and
fast switching diode. The efficiency of these bi-directional current generators is greater than 70%. The
switching frequency is generated by an internal oscillator and regulated by the current loads. The switch
capacitor pump design delivers higher negative bucked voltage than the positive boosted voltage to
achieve a balanced voltage controlled source and sink current generators resulting in balanced bipolar
voltage supplies to the chip.
3.2 Controlled Power Down
FT3243S has a low power shutdown mode controlled by the SHUTDOWN# pin. During shutdown the
driver output and the switch-capacitor regulated voltage converter are disabled with the supply current
falling to less than 1uA.
3.3 ESD Immunity
The RS232 transceiver is usually routed from the serial port connector to the transceiver IC through the
metal trace on the PCB. This trace will have some small amount of resistance that will add some
protection in terms of limiting transient current to the IC. However for added voltage protection, transient
voltage suppressors (TVS) or transorbs are usually necessary to protect the serial port circuitry.
The FT3243S includes built-in transient voltage suppression whereby external ESD protection circuitry is
not required, allowing for a reduction in bill of materials and PCB area required to realise the design.
The FT3243S transceivers meet and exceed the minimum criteria for EN6100-4-2 with +/- 15kV for air
gap discharge and +/- 8kV for contact discharge.