The LTC491 is a low power differential bus/line transceiver designed for multipoint data transmission standard RS485 applications with extended common mode range (12V to –7V). It also meets the requirements of RS422.The CMOS design offers significant power savings over its bipolar counterpart without sacrificing ruggedness against overload or ESD damage.The driver and receiver feature three-state outputs, with the driver outputs maintaining high impedance over the entire common mode range. Excessive power dissipation caused by bus contention or faults is prevented by a thermal shutdown circuit which forces the driver outputs into a high impedance state.The receiver has a fail safe feature which guarantees a high output state when the inputs are left open.Both AC and DC specifications are guaranteed from 0°C to 70°C and 4.75V to 5.25V supply voltage range.ApplicationsLow Power RS485/RS422 TransceiverLevel Translator