EXAR

EXAR CORPORATION

Analog, interface and mixed-signal integrated circuits

About the manufacturer

Exar Corporation was a U.S. semiconductor manufacturer known for analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits, especially interface, power-management and wired-communications solutions. Exar devices were widely used in industrial electronics, telecommunications, embedded systems and networking equipment.

The company portfolio included serial-interface transceivers and controllers, UART devices, level translators, regulators and DC/DC solutions, analog ICs and specialized communications products. Exar was particularly well known among designers using RS-232, RS-422 and RS-485 interfaces.

In 2017, Exar Corporation was acquired by MaxLinear. Former Exar technologies now form part of the wider MaxLinear portfolio, so designers of new equipment should consider the current lifecycle status and replacement options for individual product families.

The Exar legacy remains important in installed industrial and telecom equipment where its ICs continue to perform interface, analog and power-management functions.

Serial-interface devices are particularly useful when low-voltage logic must communicate over longer cable runs or with established industrial standards. Depending on the family, devices may combine transceivers, protocol support, protection features and power-management functions in one package.

Applications

Exar ICs were designed mainly for communication, signal processing and power-management functions in electronic systems.

• Industrial automation – RS-232, RS-422 and RS-485 interfaces.
• Telecommunications – communication and interface ICs.
• Embedded systems – UARTs, bridges and serial communication controllers.
• Networking equipment – communication ports and control signals.
• Power electronics – regulators and power-management ICs.
• Measurement systems – interface devices and analog signal chains.
• Maintenance and service – replacements for legacy designs based on Exar components.
• Point-of-sale and instrumentation – legacy serial ports and service links.
• Building automation – robust serial communication between controllers and field devices.

EXAR CORPORATION products available from Maritex

The Exar Corporation range available from Maritex includes selected interface, analog and communication ICs. These products can support both new designs and maintenance of existing equipment built around Exar devices.

Available product groups include:

• RS-232/RS-422/RS-485 interface devices.
• UART and serial communication controllers.
• Interface ICs and transceivers.
• Serial communication devices.
• Interface controllers and bridges.
• Analog and mixed-signal ICs.
• Power-management solutions.
• Components for service and modernization of legacy equipment.

For older Exar families, it is advisable to check lifecycle status, functional compatibility and potential replacements from MaxLinear or other semiconductor suppliers.

When selecting an interface IC, verify the communication standard, supply voltage, number of channels, data rate, ESD robustness and operating temperature range.

For legacy Exar parts, verify lifecycle status, pin compatibility and software implications before substitution; for interface devices, check channel count, voltage levels, data rate, ESD protection and fail-safe behavior.