This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by xecor
Hey devs! Diving into differential signaling for clean data over noisy lines? Think RS-422/RS-485. Today: the 100314QI, onsemi’s low-power five-channel differential line receiver IC (ex-Fairchild). Ideal for battery-powered IoT where reliability meets efficiency.
In 2025’s edge computing boom, it revives legacy protocols with modern MCUs. ESD-protected, 3V operation, up to 10Mbps/channel—in a tiny QFN-20. Ditch bulky transceivers.
We’ll cover: datasheet basics, Arduino hookup, SPICE sim, and tips.
Let’s build!
Key Specs from Datasheet
Check onsemi’s PDF. Highlights: Five receivers, 3-5.5V supply (ESP32-friendly), 10Mbps rates, ±200mV sensitivity for noise immunity, ±15kV ESD, 10mW/channel power. Fail-safe on open lines. Upgrade from SN75173 with better efficiency.
Arduino Integration: Sensor Bus Setup
Basic RS-422 receiver for a temp sensor chain. Decode five channels (data, clock, sensors).
Hardware
Arduino Uno/Nano.
VCC/GND to 3.3V/GND.
A1/B1 to bus #1 (up to A5/B5).
RO1-RO5 to pins 2-6.
120Ω terminations at ends.
ASCII schematic:
Bus (RS-422) ── A1/B1 ── RO1 ── Pin 2
│
A2/B2 ── RO2 ── Pin 3
│
… (Ch 5)
│
3.3V ── 100314QI ── GND
Code: Simple Polling
// 100314QI Receiver Sketch
volatile bool states[5] = {false};
void setup() {
Serial.begin(9600);
for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) pinMode(2 + i, INPUT);
Serial.println("100314QI Online");
}
void loop() {
bool changed = false;
for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
bool newState = digitalRead(2 + i);
if (newState != states[i]) {
states[i] = newState;
changed = true;
Serial.print("Ch "); Serial.print(i+1); Serial.print(": "); Serial.println(newState ? "HIGH" : "LOW");
}
}
delay(changed ? 10 : 100);
}
Simulate with a generator; Serial Monitor shows transitions. For speed, add interrupts.
Power Tip: Enable pin to MOSFET for nA idle current:
#define EN_PIN 7
pinMode(EN_PIN, OUTPUT); digitalWrite(EN_PIN, HIGH);
Quick LTSpice Sim: Noise Test
Model in LTSpice: ±200mV diff + 50mV noise. Netlist:
* 100314QI Sim
V1 A 0 SIN(0 1 1k)
V2 B 0 SIN(0 -1 1k)
Rnoise A B 1k
XU1 A B VCC GND OUT MODEL
.tran 0 10m 0 1u
.end
Clean outputs at OUT. <1% error at 5Mbps.
Pitfalls & Hacks
Isolate ground loops with optos.
Match short traces (<6in).
For Gigabit: SN65LVDS; this owns sub-10M.
RoHS green: Lead-free win.
Bulletproof interfaces, no bloat. Your fave diff IC? Comment or fork GitHub!
This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by xecor