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MAX3221E: MAX3221ECPWR

Part Number: MAX3221E

Tool/software:

I noticed the RS232 transceiver IC aka the MAX3221E had a different lot code. It’s still the same chip, but this a newish variant.

The previous chips were inscribed with. MP221E, 21K G4, CRSX.

While the new chips are inscribed with . MP221E, 34K G4, A4KQ.

 

I swapped the new chip with an older one, on a board that was causing errors.

The board worked as expected after the switch.

Does anyone know what the change was and what the characters inscribed on the part after the MPN stand for? I tried looking on the data sheet and was not able to find anything. 

  • Robert,

    The top markings on the second row are the date code. I believe the previous devices are from 2022 of January. The new chips are from 2023 of April. The third line is for the lot trace number so it doesn't have any useful information for you.

    Below is a PCN sent out in 2021. It states that a new die (new design for the chip) was created because the old die used an outdated process (LBC3S) and that fabrication was being shut down for the older process. 

    PCN20210720000.1.pdf

    You will probably need to probe the Dout/DIN pins and try to see if the cable communication is outputting/receiving what it should. 

    -Bobby