MAX 232 Level Converter

• IC MAX232 is used for TTL/CMOS to RS232 conversion. Meaning most of our Microcontrollers (PIC/ARM/Atmel) operates on TTL/CMOS logic that is it communicates through either 0V or 5V, but our computers work with the help of RS232 which operates at logic level -24V or 24V. So, if we have to interface these microcontrollers with Computer we need to convert the TTL/CMOS logic to RS232 logic.
• The IC work with the help of 5V, hence power the Vcc with 5V and the ground pin to circuit ground. The IC also needs four capacitors to work; these capacitors can be of any value from 1uF to 22uF.
• MAX232 IC can help you to convert two logic level conversion that is you can use two Microcontrollers, but to get started we will use only one MCU and connect it to a computer. As you can see the pins (T2 out, R2 in, T2 in, R2 out) are left free since we are not using the second module.
• Every microcontroller that has Serial communication capability will have a Tx pin and a Rx pin. These two pins should be connected to the T1 in (pin 10) and the R1 out (pin 13) pin respectively. This is the TTL/CMOS logic inputs, and then the converter RS232 logic signals can be obtained from the pins R1 in (pin 13) and T1 out (pin 14). You might wonder how a 5V signal is being converter to 25V signal when the IC itself is powered with 5V. This is made possible by a method called charge pump,�which consists of a capacitor that charges up to provide 25V.

Applications

• Used to Connect Microcontroller with Computers
• TTL/CMOS logic to RS232 converters
• Used in RS232 cables