It has a wide ±10V RS-232 driver output that supports a range of RS-232 peripherals. It includes integrated cable termination and four configuration modes that allow all three protocols to be used interchangeably over a single cable or connector, with no additional switching components.  The RS-232 mode provides three drivers and five receivers to support all eight signals required for the DB9 serial port (3TX/5RX). RS-485/422 modes include both half and full duplex (1TX/1RX).

The transceiver operates from either a 3.3 or 5.0V supply and consumes only 2mA typical supply current. Shutdown mode allows low power (10µA) standby operation.  The high speed drivers operate up to 20Mbit/s in RS-485/422 modes, and up to 1Mbit/s in RS-232 mode. All drivers can be slew limited to 250kbit/s in any mode to minimise EMI.

According to the company, designs can be simplified as the wide driver output swing improves interoperability with older model bar code scanners, PS2 keyboards/mice, and other RS-232 peripherals. 

All bus pins are protected against severe ESD events up to ±15kV HBM (human body model), ±15kV IEC-61000-4-2 Air Gap, and ±8kV IEC 61000-4-2 contact discharge.

The transceiver is available in a RoHS-compliant, halogen free 6.0 x 6.0mm, 40pin QFN package.