LT1016CN8#PBF - 10ns UltraFast Precision Comparator | Analog Devices
MPN: LT1016CN8#PBF ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.2 | $7.20 |
| 10 | $6.55 | $65.50 |
| 100 | $5.8 | $580.00 |
| 500 | $5.05 | $2,525.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.45 | $4,450.00 |
LT1016CN8#PBF Overview
A precision comparator is an analog circuit that compares two input voltages and switches its output based on which is larger, with the speed and accuracy of this decision defining the part's usefulness in instrumentation, data acquisition, and timing applications. Within the broader taxonomy, the LT1016 sits in the linear IC family as a voltage comparator, a sibling category to operational amplifiers, references, and analog multipliers, all serving the analog signal-chain domain of mixed-signal systems. This background is essential when selecting among comparators, op-amps, and ADCs that include internal comparators.
Key features of the LT1016CN8#PBF include a 10 ns propagation delay, complementary TTL/CMOS outputs that actively drive in both directions, an input offset voltage typically around 1 mV (max 3 mV at room temperature per the datasheet), and operation from ±5V to a single 5V rail. The unique output stage eliminates cross-conduction during transitions, which reduces dynamic current spikes and simplifies power-supply bypassing.
Intern architecture uses a high-slew input stage followed by a regenerative latch and an output driver designed for 50 pF loads with minimal speed degradation. The LATCH pin allows the user to freeze the output state for asynchronous sampling in pipelined systems, and the part operates over the commercial 0°C to 70°C temperature range for the CN8 plastic DIP variant.
Typical applications include high-speed A/D converter front-ends, line receivers and zero-crossing detectors, high-frequency triggers, pulse-width modulators, and crystal-oscillator squaring circuits. The matched complementary outputs make the part ideal for driving differential lines or for use as a window comparator when two LT1016s share a reference.
Designers should choose low-ESR ceramic bypass capacitors placed within 5 mm of the supply pins to preserve the 10 ns specification; long supply traces add inductance that can cause ringing on the output edge. The negative supply pin may be left floating in single-supply operation, but bypassing is still recommended to keep digital switching currents out of the analog input stage.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in 8-PDIP alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone, giving procurement and design engineers a single reference for sourcing, second-source selection, and board-level implementation of the LT1016CN8#PBF.
Drop-in alternatives for LT1016CN8#PBF — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with LT1016CN8#PBF (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Mounting Type, Operating Temperature, Output Type, Propagation Delay, RoHS Status.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
LT1016IN8#PBF
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
LT1016CN8
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.47 / Unit
View Datasheet →LT1116CN8#PBF
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
TL3116CP
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MAX9686CPA
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
LT1016CN8#PBF Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Manufacturer | Analog Devices (formerly Linear Technology) |
| Part Number | LT1016CN8#PBF |
| Comparator Type | UltraFast Precision with Latch |
| Number of Comparators | 1 |
| Propagation Delay | 10 ns (typical) |
| Output Type | CMOS, Complementary, TTL |
| Input Offset Voltage (maximum) | 3 mV |
| Supply Voltage - Single | 4.6 V to 5.4 V |
| Supply Voltage - Dual | ±2 V to ±7 V |
| Quiescent Negative Supply Current | 3 mA |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to 70 °C (commercial) |
| Package / Case | 8-PDIP (N8) |
| Mounting Type | Through Hole |
| Latch Pin | Yes (retains input data at outputs when held high) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (PBF suffix indicates lead-free) |
| Lead-Free Status | Yes |
LT1016CN8#PBF Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | -IN — Inverting input |
| Pin 2 | +IN — Non-inverting input |
| Pin 3 | V- — Negative supply (may be grounded for single 5V operation) |
| Pin 4 | LATCH — Active-high latch enable (retains output state when held high) |
| Pin 5 | Q — Complementary output (TTL/CMOS, actively driven both high and low) |
| Pin 6 | QBAR — True output (TTL/CMOS, actively driven both high and low) |
| Pin 7 | V+ — Positive supply (5V single or +5V on dual supply) |
| Pin 8 | GND — Ground reference (connect to V- for single-supply 5V operation) |
Typical Applications
LT1016CN8#PBF is suitable for 7 applications: High-Speed A/D Converter Front-End, Zero-Crossing Detector for Line Receivers, Crystal Oscillator Squaring Buffer, Pulse-Width Modulator for Power Control, High-Frequency Trigger and Discriminator, Window Comparator and Threshold Detector, Industrial Process Control Signal Conditioning.
High-Speed A/D Converter Front-End
The LT1016CN8#PBF's 10 ns propagation delay and matched complementary outputs make it an ideal front-end comparator for medium-speed A/D converters up to 10 MSPS. The low input offset voltage (max 3 mV at room temperature per the Analog Devices LT1016 datasheet) preserves dynamic range in 12-bit systems. Placed between the analog input buffer and the ADC sample-and-hold stage, the LT1016 provides a clean logic-level transition with sub-100 ns aperture uncertainty. Unlike slower op-amp-based comparators, the LT1016 adds no significant timing skew to the conversion, which keeps the system ENOB close to its datasheet value. For 14-bit and higher converters, designers should consider the LT1023 family or the LT1016 with external offset trim.
Recommended
Zero-Crossing Detector for Line Receivers
The LT1016CN8#PBF delivers reliable zero-crossing detection on 50 Hz to 1 MHz signals in instrumentation line receivers and motor-control phase detectors. Its ±5V or single 5V supply operation simplifies interface to digital signal processors, and the complementary TTL outputs can directly drive optocouplers or differential line transmitters. The unique output stage provides active drive in both directions, eliminating the dead zone that plagues open-collector comparator designs. With a propagation delay of 10 ns, phase error at 100 kHz is below 0.36 degrees, well within the accuracy budget for closed-loop motor control and synchronization circuits.
Recommended
Crystal Oscillator Squaring Buffer
The LT1016CN8#PBF's 10 ns propagation delay and clean TTL output make it an excellent squaring buffer for crystal oscillator circuits up to 50 MHz. The high input impedance preserves Q of the crystal network, and the matched complementary outputs can drive two downstream timing circuits without signal splitting. With ±5V operation, the comparator adds minimal phase noise to the oscillator loop, which is critical for PLL reference inputs and RF synthesizer clock conditioning. The LATCH pin can be used to freeze the output during a known window, enabling burst-mode or gated-clock generation in test equipment.
Recommended
Pulse-Width Modulator for Power Control
In PWM controllers for switch-mode power supplies and class-D amplifiers, the LT1016CN8#PBF provides 10 ns PWM edge timing at switching frequencies up to 1 MHz. The complementary outputs can directly drive small-signal MOSFET gate drivers through a level shifter, and the LATCH pin allows cycle-by-cycle current limiting for protection. With ±5V supplies and a current-sense resistor feeding the inverting input, the comparator produces a clean PWM signal with sub-50 ns current-limit response. Designers should place a 1 nF ceramic bypass capacitor within 5 mm of the V+ pin to maintain the 10 ns delay at full switching speed.
Recommended
High-Frequency Trigger and Discriminator
The LT1016CN8#PBF is widely used in nuclear instrumentation, LIDAR, and time-of-flight systems as a constant-fraction discriminator or leading-edge trigger. Its 10 ns timing jitter preserves the resolution of arrival-time measurements down to ~30 picoseconds when paired with a precision time-to-digital converter. The ±5V or single 5V operation, plus the LATCH pin for asynchronous data capture, makes it ideal for free-running trigger circuits that must synchronize to high-speed events. The matched complementary outputs can feed both a TDC and a gate-and-delay generator simultaneously without splitting the signal.
Recommended
Window Comparator and Threshold Detector
Two LT1016CN8#PBF units in 8-PDIP packages can be combined to build a high-speed window comparator with upper and lower thresholds set independently. The complementary outputs are OR-wired to a single over/under-range flag, giving a 10 ns response window that is impossible to achieve with op-amp-based window detectors. This topology is widely used in production-line test equipment, ATE, and battery cell voltage monitoring where a fast go/no-go decision is required. The matched outputs of both comparators can be wire-ANDed directly because the LT1016's unique output stage actively drives both high and low, eliminating the need for external pull-up resistors.
Recommended
Industrial Process Control Signal Conditioning
In 4-20 mA current-loop receivers and process-control analog front-ends, the LT1016CN8#PBF converts small analog sensor signals into clean logic transitions with 10 ns delay. Its ±5V or single 5V supply operation simplifies interface to 5V microcontrollers, and the robust 8-PDIP package is well suited to through-hole industrial designs where vibration resistance is required. The matched complementary outputs can drive optocouplers for galvanic isolation, and the LATCH pin enables latched-alarm outputs for over-temperature or over-pressure events. Industrial users should select the LT1016IN8#PBF variant for extended -40C to +85C temperature operation.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for LT1016CN8#PBF — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | LT1016IN8#PBF | LT1016CN8 | LT1116CN8#PBF | TL3116CP | MAX9686CPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 8-PDIP (N8) | 8-PDIP (N8) - same | 8-PDIP (N8) - same | 8-PDIP (N8) - same | 8-PDIP (P) - same | 8-PDIP - same |
| Brand | Analog Devices | Analog Devices | Analog Devices | Analog Devices | Texas Instruments | Maxim Integrated |
| Propagation Delay | 10 ns | 10 ns | 10 ns | 10 ns | 10 ns | 10 ns |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to 70 °C (commercial) | -40 °C to +85 °C (industrial) | 0 °C to 70 °C (commercial) | 0 °C to 70 °C (commercial) | 0 °C to 70 °C (commercial) | 0 °C to 70 °C (commercial) |
| Latch Pin | Yes (active-high) | Yes (active-high) | Yes (active-high) | Yes (active-high) | No | No |
| Supply Voltage | ±5V or single 5V (4.6V-5.4V) | ±5V or single 5V (same) | ±5V or single 5V (same) | ±5V or single 5V (same) | ±5V or single 5V (same) | Single 5V optimized |
| RoHS Compliance | Yes (PBF suffix, lead-free) | Yes (PBF suffix) | No (lead-bearing) | Yes (PBF suffix) | Yes | Yes |
| Output Drive | Complementary TTL/CMOS, 50 pF | Complementary TTL/CMOS, 50 pF | Complementary TTL/CMOS, 50 pF | Complementary TTL/CMOS, lower current | Complementary TTL, similar drive | Complementary TTL/CMOS |
Key Differentiators
- Built-in active LATCH pin for asynchronous data capture (vs TL3116CP)
- Industrial temperature variant in identical 8-PDIP footprint (vs LT1016CN8 (commercial))
- Lower quiescent negative supply current (vs MAX9686CPA)
Design Notes
Place a 0.1 µF ceramic bypass capacitor within 5 mm of the V+ pin (pin 7) and another on the V- pin (pin 3) to preserve the 10 ns propagation delay specification. Long supply traces add inductance that causes ringing on the output edge and degrades the comparator's timing accuracy. For dual-supply operation, drive V- from a low-impedance source; the LT1016 only draws 3 mA from V- per the Analog Devices datasheet, but a resistive divider is acceptable when V- is decoupled locally with at least 1 µF.
Keep analog input traces (pins 1 and 2) short and shielded from the digital output traces (pins 5 and 6) and from the LATCH pin (pin 4) to avoid coupling noise from the fast TTL edges back into the input stage. A guard trace tied to ground between the analog and digital sections of the PCB improves noise immunity in window-comparator and threshold-detector circuits. For 50 MHz and faster input signals, add a 100 Ω series damping resistor at each input to prevent oscillation from input-cable or PCB-trace resonance.
Do not leave the LATCH pin floating. If latching is not used, tie LATCH (pin 4) directly to ground to ensure transparent mode operation; a floating LATCH pin can pick up noise and cause spurious output freezes. Do not exceed the maximum differential input voltage of ±15 V; clamp input transients with external diodes bridges when interfacing to industrial signal sources. When upgrading from an LM361 design, verify that the bypass capacitors on V+ and V- are sized for the LT1016's faster edge rate - existing LM361 bypass may be insufficient and could allow 50 mV or more of supply bounce during output transitions.
The LT1016CN8#PBF in 8-PDIP package dissipates approximately 200 mW maximum at ±5V full-load operation. The plastic DIP package has a θJA of approximately 100 °C/W, giving a junction-to-ambient rise of about 20 °C at 200 mW - well within the 0 °C to 70 °C commercial operating range with no heatsink required. For industrial -40 °C to +85 °C designs, use the LT1016IN8#PBF variant rather than applying heatsinking.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per the #PBF suffix on the manufacturer part number. The standard commercial-grade part (0C-70C) is not AEC-Q100 qualified; the CN8 variant is intended for industrial and consumer applications. AEC-Q100 automotive applications require the LT1016 family industrial-grade variant or a different qualified part.
