Maxim Integrated Products Inc. announced that it is now shipping the MAX11166 and MAX11167, the industry's smallest bipolar ±5 V, 16-bit analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). Available in a tiny 9 mm² package, the MAX11166 and MAX11167 are the only 12-pin 16-bit bipolar ADCs to integrate an internal reference with buffer, saving cost and at least 88 percent board space over competing solutions. These highly integrated ADCs feature Beyond-the-Rails™ technology, which supports ±5 V input signal from a single positive 5V rail. This technology eliminates the need for negative power supplies and simplifies designs. At 19.5 mW, 500 ksps, and 1 µA in shutdown mode, the ADCs are applicable for precision measurement data acquisition systems (DASs), industrial/process control, medical instrumentation, and automatic test equipment (ATE).

The MAX11166 and MAX11167 communicate using an SPI-compatible serial interface at 2.5, 3, 3.3, or 5 V logic levels and have sample rates of 500 and 250 ksps, respectively. The serial interface can be used to daisy-chain multiple ADCs for multichannel simultaneous-sampling applications; it also provides a “busy” indicator option for simplified system synchronization and timing. Maxim’s proprietary input-charge-pump architecture allows direct sampling of high-impedance sources, eliminating the need for external analog buffers to drive the ADC inputs in some applications.

Key Advantages

• High integration: industry’s smallest (9mm2) package, 16-bit ADCs with integrated reference with buffer and ±5V true bipolar measurement above and below ground using Beyond-the-Rails technology
• Excellent analog performance: 92.6 dB SNR supports wide-dynamic-range applications with best-in-class linearity (typically ±0.5 LSB INL, ±0.2 LSB DNL) allows precise measurements at half the power of nearest  competitors
• Ease of design: integrated precision voltage reference with reference buffer and high-impedance input saves power and space

Industry Commentary

• “Maxim is the only company to offer an internal reference in a tiny 16-bit bipolar ADC,” said Martin Mason, Executive Director of ADC Business Management at Maxim Integrated. “By integrating the reference and offering bipolar inputs in a tiny part, engineers save the power, space, and cost of doing this externally.”
• “Previously, engineers had to measure a true bipolar signal with a good amount of external circuitry,” said Susie Inouye, Research Director at Databeans. “The MAX11166 and MAX11167 family offers a great combination of small size and wide input range, and the internal reference lets engineers simplify their designs.” 

Availability, Temperature, and Pricing

• Available in a robust 12-pin package (3 x 3mm TDFN), ±5 V input, 250 and 500 ksps options
• Specified over the -40° to +85°C temperature range
• Pricing starts at $16.07 (1000-up, FOB USA)

The 18-bit extended resolution versions of these parts are slated for introduction in the first half of 2013.

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