Intersil has introduced the ISL3259E RS-485/RS-422 transceiver, an interface IC that combines fast data transmission rate (100Mbps) with a low 2.6mA supply current and rugged 15kV IEC61000-4-2 ESD (electro-static discharge) protection.

According to Intersil it achieves a data rate more than double that of competing devices, and the ISL3259E allows manufacturers to design dependable high data rate systems - giving precision control in factory automation applications or doubling the throughput in applications requiring large data transfers.

In addition, the ISL3259E integrates ESD protection that is between 33% and 100% greater than the ESD ratings of other very high speed transceivers in the marketplace, states Intersil. This allows for the elimination of external protection components and saves on total costs. The device's ESD level is rated at 15kV air gap and 8kV contact discharge to IEC61000-4-2 on the RS-485/RS-422 bus pins and 9kV HBM on all of the other pins.

The ISL3259E has enhanced output differential voltage drive (Vod). The transceiver Vod is specified to be 40% greater then the voltage specified by the RS-485 protocol. This enhancement and rugged features make the ISL3259E an ideal fit for factory automation applications.

To round out the performance elements of the ISL3259E, the device also has a full fail-safe receiver, current limiting and thermal shutdown for driver overload protection, and hot plug transmitter and receiver outputs. These features protect the ISL3259E outputs and prevent data corruption when cable faults occur or when a new node is added to an active bus. This means systems will have enhanced data integrity and will be more rugged when using the ISL3259E.

The ISL3259E is packaged in a small 3mm x 3mm DFN package for space-savings along with an 8 lead MSOP package option. According to Intersil, the tiny package has a 70% smaller PCB footprint than standard 8-lead SOIC offerings and an integrated thermal slug provides approximately a 40% improvement in thermal resistance compared to the SOIC package.

The ISL3259E is available in DFN and MSOP packaging. More information on the ISL3259E transceiver