MAX100

The MAX100 ECL-compatible, 250Msps, 8-bit analog-todigital converter (ADC) allows accurate digitizing of analog ignals from DC to 125MHz (Nyquist frequency). Designed with Maxim's proprietary advanced bipolar processes, the MAX100 contains a high-performance track/hold (T/H) amplifier and a quantizer in a single ceramic strip-line package.

The innovative design of the internal T/H assures an exceptionally wide input bandwidth of 1.2GHz and aperture delay uncertainty of less than 2ps, resulting in a high 6.8 effective bits performance. Special comparator output design and decoding circuitry reduce out-of-sequence code errors. The probability of erroneous codes occurring due to metastable states is reduced to less than 1 error per 10¹⁵ clock cycles. Unlike other ADCs, which can have errors that result in false full-scale or zero-scale outputs, the MAX100 keeps the magnitude to less than 1LSB.

The analog input is designed for either differential or singleended use with a ±270mV range. Sense pins for the reference input allow full-scale calibration of the input range or facilitate ratiometric use. Midpoint tap for the reference string is available for applications that need to modify the output coding for a user-defined bilinear response. Use of separate high-current and low-current ground pins provides better noise immunity and highest device accuracy.

Dual output data paths of MAX100 provide several data output modes for easy interfacing. These modes can be configured as either one or two identical latched ECL outputs. An 8:16 demultiplexer mode that reduces the output data rates to one-half the clock rate is also available.

For applications of MAX100 that require faster data rates, refer to Maxim's MAX101, which allows conversion rates up to 500Msps.