MAX485 in MAX485 / MAX13487 RS-485 Family
The MAX485 series by Maxim Integrated (now Analog Devices) is an industry-standard family of low-power, slew-rate-limited transceivers designed for RS-485 and RS-422 communications. Operating from a single +5V supply, these components facilitate half-duplex data transmission at rates up to 2.5Mbps. The family is renowned for minimizing EMI and reducing reflections caused by improperly terminated cables, making it a reliable choice for long-distance industrial bus architectures and multipoint applications.
Variants within the MAX485 sub-family primarily differ based on their maximum data rates and power requirements. While the standard MAX485 supports up to 2.5Mbps, sibling parts like the MAX483 are optimized with reduced slew rates for lower EMI at 250kbps. Packaging options also vary, ranging from classic 8-pin DIP for prototyping to SOIC and µMAX formats for space-constrained surface-mount PCB designs.
