SP3485 
+3.3V Low Power Half-Duplex RS-485 
Transceiver with 10Mbps Data Rate 
• RS-485 and RS-422 Transceiver
• Operates from a single +3.3V Supply
• Interoperable with +5.0V logic
• Driver/Receiver Enable
• -7V to +2V Common-Mode Input Voltage Range
• Allows up to 32 transceivers on the serial bus
• Compatibility with industry standard 7576 pinout
• Driver Output Short-Circuit Protection
DESCRIPTION
The SP3485 device is a +3.3V low power half-duplex transceiver that meets the specifica-
tions of the RS-485 and RS-422 serial protocols. This device is pin-to-pin compatible with 
the Exar SP48, SP483 and SP485 devices as well as popular industry standards. The 
SP3485 features the Exar BiCMOS process, allowing low power operation without sacrificing 
performance. The SP3485 can meet the electrical specifications of the RS-485 and RS-422 
serial protocols up to 0Mbps under load.
Exar Corporation 48720 Kato Road, Fremont CA, 94538 • 50-668-707 • www.exar.com       SP3485_00_0692
ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS
These are stress ratings only and functional operation 
of the device at these ratings or any other above those 
indicated in the operation sections of the specifications 
below is not implied. Exposure to absolute maximum 
rating  conditions  for  extended  periods  of  time  may 
affect reliability.
Logic....................................-0.3V to +6.0V
Drivers.................................-0.3V to +6.0V
Receivers.........................................+/-5V
VCC.....................................................................+6.0V
Input Voltages
 
 
 
Output Voltages
Drivers.............................................+/-5V
 
 
Receivers............................-0.3V to +6.0V
Storage Temperature.......................-65˚C to +150˚C
Power Dissipation
8-pin NSOIC...................................................600mW
           (derate 6.90mW/ºC above +70ºC)
TAMB = TMIN to TMAX  and VCC = +3.3V +/-5% unless otherwise noted.
PARAMETERS
TYP.
SP3485 DRIVER
DC Characteristics
Differential Output Voltage
Differential Output Voltage
GND
MIN.
2
Differential Output Voltage
.5
Change in Magnitude of Driver 
Differential Output Voltage for 
Complimentary states
Driver Common Mode Output 
Voltage
Input High Voltage
Input Low Voltage
Input Current
Driver Short Circuit Current 
VOUT = HIGH
Driver Short Circuit Current 
VOUT = LOW
SP3485 DRIVER
AC Characteristics
Maximum Data Rate
Driver Input to Output, tPLH
Driver Input to Output, tPHL
Differential Driver Skew
Driver Rise or Fall Time
2.0
0
20
20
ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
MAX.
UNITS CONDITIONS
Vcc
Vcc
Vcc
0.2
Unloaded; R = ∞Ω ; Figure 1
Volts
Volts With Load; R = 50Ω (RS-422); 
Figure 
Volts With Load; R = 27Ω (RS-485); 
Figure 
R = 27Ω or R = 50Ω; Figure 1
Volts
3
Volts
R = 27Ω or R = 50Ω; Figure 1
0.8
+/-0
+/-250
Volts
Volts
µA
mA
Applies to DE, DI, RE
Applies to DE, DI, RE
Applies to DE, DI, RE
-7V ≤ VO ≤ +12V; Figure 8
+/-250
mA
-7V ≤ VO ≤ +12V; Figure 8
40
40
2
5
60
60
0
20
Mbps
ns
ns
ns
ns
RE = VCC, DE = VCC
Figures 2 & 9
Figures 2 & 9
|tDO- tDO2|, Figures 2 and 0
From 0%-90%; Figures 3 and 0
                                             Exar Corporation 48720 Kato Road, Fremont CA, 94538 • 50-668-707 • www.exar.com        SP3485_00_0692 
 
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TYP.
MIN.
TAMB = TMIN to TMAX  and VCC = +3.3V +/-5% unless otherwise noted.
PARAMETERS
SP3485 DRIVER AC Characteristics continued
Driver Enable to Output High
52
60
Driver Enable to Output Low
40
Driver Disable Time from Low
Driver Disable Time from High
60
SP3485 RECEIVER
DC Characteristics
Differential Input Threshold
Input Hysteresis
Output Voltage HIGH
Output Voltage LOW
Three-State (High Impedance) 
Output Current
Input Resistance
Input Current (A, B); VIN = 2V
Vcc-0.4
-0.2
20
2
5
7
0
40
40
Input Current (A, B); VIN = -7V
Short Circuit Current
SP3485 RECEIVER 
AC Characteristics
Maximum Data Rate
Receiver Input to Output, tPLH
Receiver Input to Output, tPLH
Receiver Input to Output,  tPHL
Receiver Input to Output,  tPHL
Differential Receiver Skew
Receiver Enable to Output Low
Receiver Enable to Output High
Receiver Disable from Low
Receiver Disable from High
POWER REQUIREMENTS
Supply Current , No Load
Supply Current , No Load
70
70
4
35
35
35
35
ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
MAX.
UNITS CONDITIONS
20
20
20
20
+0.2
0.4
+/-
+.0
-0.8
60
00
70
00
70
60
60
60
60
ns
ns
ns
ns
Figures 4 and 
Figures 5 and 
Figures 5 and 
Figures 4 and 
Volts
mV
Volts
Volts
µA
kΩ
mA
mA
mA
-7V ≤ VCM ≤ +12V
VCM = 0V
VID = +200mV, -.5mA
VID = -200mV, 2.5mA
0V ≤ VO ≤ VCC; RE = VCC
-7V ≤ VCM ≤ +12V
DE = 0V, VCC = 0V or 3.6V, 
VIN = 2V
DE = 0V, VCC = 0V or 3.6V, 
VIN = -7V
0V ≤ VCM ≤ VCC
ns
ns
ns
ns
ns
Mbps RE = 0V, DE = 0V
Figures 6 and 2
TAMB = +25°C, Vcc = 3.3V,
Figures 6 and 2
Figures 6 and 2
TAMB = +25°C, Vcc = 3.3V, 
Figures 6 and 2
 tRSKEW = |tRPHL- tRPLH|, 
Figures 6 and 2
Figures 7 and 3, 
S closed, S2 open
Figures 7 and 3, 
S2 closed, S open
Figures 7 and 3, 
S closed, S2 open
Figures 7 and 3, 
S2 closed, S open
ns
ns
ns
ns
000
800
2000
500
µA
µA
RE, DI = 0V or VCC ; DE = VCC
RE = 0V, DI = 0V or VCC, DE = 0V
Exar Corporation 48720 Kato Road, Fremont CA, 94538 • 50-668-707 • www.exar.com       SP3485_00_0692
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PIN FUNCTION
Pin Function SP3485
Pin  - RO - Receiver output
Pin 2 - RE - Receiver Output Enable Active LOW
Pin 3 - DE - Driver Output Enable Active HIGH
Pin 4 - DI - Driver Input
Pin 5 - GND - Ground Connection
Pin 6 - A - Non-Inverting Driver Output/Receiver Input
Pin 7 - B - Inverting Driver Output/Receiver Input
Pin 8 - Vcc - Positive Supply
                                             Exar Corporation 48720 Kato Road, Fremont CA, 94538 • 50-668-707 • www.exar.com        SP3485_00_0692 
 
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TEST CIRCUITS
D
VOD
Vcc
R
R
VOC
GENERATOR
   (NOTE 1)
50Ω
S1
D
VCC
VDM
R L = 27Ω
OUT
C L = 15pF
 (NOTE 2)
Figure .  Driver DC Test Load Circuit
Figure 2. Driver Propagation Delay Test Circuit
VOM =                   ≈ 1.5V
VOH + VOL
       2
CL
RL = 
60Ω
OUT
GENERATOR
   (NOTE 1)
50Ω
D
VCC
S1
D
CL = 50pF
 (NOTE 2)
OUT
RL = 110Ω
GENERATOR
   (NOTE 1)
50Ω
C L = 15pF (NOTE 2)
VOM =                   ≈ 1.5V
VOH + VOL
       2
Figure 3. Driver Differential Output Delay and 
Transition Time Circuit.
Figure 4. Driver Enable and Disable Timing Circuit, 
Output High
0V OR 3V
D
GENERATOR
   (NOTE 1)
50Ω
S1
C L = 50pF
 (NOTE 2)
VCC
R L = 110Ω
OUT
GENERATOR
   (NOTE 1)
50Ω
1.5V
0V
VID
R
OUT
CL = 15pF
 (NOTE 2)
VOM = VCC
            2
Figure 5. Driver Enable and Disable Timing Circuit, 
Output Low
Figure 6. Receiver Propagation Delay Test Circuit
S1
S2
VCC
S3
1.5V
-1.5V
VID
R
GENERATOR
   (NOTE 1)
50Ω
1k
CL = 15pF
(NOTE 2)
DE = 0 or Vcc
DI = 0 or Vcc
D
A/Y
B/Z
IOS D
100Ω
-7V to +12V V
Figure 7. Receiver Enable and Disable Timing 
Circuit
Figure 8. Driver Short Circuit Current Limit Test
NOTE : The input pulse is supplied by a generator with the following characteristics:
PRR = 250kHz, 50% duty cycle, tR < 6.0ns, ZO = 50Ω.
NOTE 2: CL includes probe and stray capacitance.
Exar Corporation 48720 Kato Road, Fremont CA, 94538 • 50-668-707 • www.exar.com       SP3485_00_0692
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INPUT
Y OUTPUT
Z OUTPUT
3V
0V
VOH
VOL
VOH
VOL
1.5V
tPLH
1.5V
tPHL
VOM
VOM
tPHL
tPLH
VOM
VOM
VOM = VOH + VOL
2
≈ 1.5V
SWITCHING WAVEFORMS
IN
1.5V
1.5V
tDO1
tDO2
90%
90%
OUT
50%
10%
tTD
50%
10%
tTD
3V
0V
2.0V
-2.0V
Figure 9. Driver Propagation Delay Waveforms
Figure 0. Driver Differential Output Delay and 
Transition Time Waveforms
DE
OUTPUT
HIGH
OUTPUT
LOW
3V
0V
VOH
0V
VCC
VOL
1.5V
tPZH
1.5V
tPHZ
VOM
0.25V
tPZL
tPLZ
VOM
0.25V
VOM = VOH + VOL
2
≈ 1.5V
Figure . Driver Enable and Disable Timing 
Waveforms
INPUT
OUTPUT
3V
0V
VCC
0V
1.5V
tRPLH
1.5V
tRPHL
VOM
VOM
VOM = VCC
2
Figure 2. Receiver Propagation Delay Waveforms
S1 is open
S2 is closed
S3 = 1.5V
1.5V
tPRHZ
10%
1.5V
tPRZH
tPRSH
S1 is closed
S2 is open
S3 = -1.5V
1.5V
tPRLZ
10%
1.5V
tPRZL
tPRSL
1.5V
3V
0V
VCC
VOL
RE
1.5V
OUTPUT
RE
OUTPUT
3V
0V
VOH
0V
Figure 3. Receiver Enable and Disable Waveforms
                                             Exar Corporation 48720 Kato Road, Fremont CA, 94538 • 50-668-707 • www.exar.com        SP3485_00_0692 
 
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The SP3485 is a member in the family of 
+3.3V  low  power  half-duplex  transceivers 
that meet the electrical specifications of the 
RS-485 and RS-422 serial protocols. This 
device is pin-to-pin compatible with the Exar 
SP48, SP483 and SP485 devices as well 
as popular industry standards. The SP3485 
feature  Exar's  BiCMOS  process  allowing 
low  power  operation  without  sacrificing 
performance.
Driver
The driver outputs of the SP3485 are dif-
ferential outputs meeting the RS-485 and 
RS-422  standards.    The  typical  voltage 
output swing with no load will be 0 volts to 
+3.3 Volts.  With a load of 54Ω across the 
differential outputs, the drivers can maintain 
greater than .5V voltage levels.  
The driver of the SP3485 has a driver enable 
control line which is active HIGH.  A logic 
HIGH on DE (pin 3) will enable the differential 
driver outputs.  A logic LOW on the DE (pin 
3) will tri-state the driver outputs. 
The  driver  of  the  SP3485  operates  up  to 
0Mbps.  The  250mA  ISC  maximum  limit 
on the driver output allows the SP3485 to 
withstand an infinite short circuit over the   
-7.0V to +2V common mode range without 
catastrophic damage to the IC.
DESCRIPTION
Receiver
The SP3485 receiver has differential inputs 
with an input sensitivity of ±200mV.  Input 
impedance of the receiver is typically 15kΩ 
(12kΩ  minimum).   A  wide  common  mode 
range of -7V to +2V allows for large ground 
potential differences between systems.  The 
receiver is equipped with a fail-safe feature 
that guarantees the receiver output will be 
in a HIGH state when the input is left uncon-
nected. The receiver of the SP3485 operates 
up to 0Mbps.
The receiver of the SP3485 has an enable 
control line  which is active LOW.  A logic 
LOW on RE (pin 2) will enable the differential 
receiver. A logic HIGH on RE (pin 2) of the 
SP3485 will disable the receiver.  
INPUTS
OUTPUTS
RE
X
X
X
DE
0
LINE
CONDITION
No Fault
No Fault
X
B
0
Z
DI
0
X
A
0
Z
Table . Transmit Function Truth Table
INPUTS
OUTPUTS
RE
0
0
0
DE
0
0
0
0
A - B
+0.2V
-0.2V
Inputs Open
X
R
0
Z
Table 2. Receive Function Truth Table
Exar Corporation 48720 Kato Road, Fremont CA, 94538 • 50-668-707 • www.exar.com       SP3485_00_0692
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                                             Exar Corporation 48720 Kato Road, Fremont CA, 94538 • 50-668-707 • www.exar.com        SP3485_00_0692 
 
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