MAX116CAX - 12-Bit, 2x4-Ch Simultaneous-Sampling ADC | Maxim
MPN: MAX116CAX ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $18.5 | $18.50 |
| 10 | $16.4 | $164.00 |
| 100 | $14.2 | $1,420.00 |
| 500 | $12.35 | $6,175.00 |
| 1,000 | $10.8 | $10,800.00 |
MAX116CAX Overview
An ADC (analog-to-digital converter) is a mixed-signal integrated circuit that converts continuous analog voltages into discrete digital codes, and the simultaneous-sampling sub-category specifically uses one SAMPLE-and-hold per channel so that all channels are captured at the exact same instant. This is in contrast to multichannel ADCs that use a single shared SAMPLE-and-hold and sequentially scan channels - which introduces time skew between channels. Simultaneous-sampling ADCs sit hierarchically inside the data-converter IC family, which itself belongs to the broader mixed-signal / data acquisition (DAQ) IC category, ultimately under power management and signal-chain semiconductors.
Key features of the MAX116CAX include a 2 microsecond per-channel conversion time, 8 single-ended analog inputs organized as two 4-channel multiplexed banks, an industry-standard successive-approximation register (SAR) architecture, a 36-pin SSOP surface-mount package, and industrial (-40C to +85C) operating temperature range. The successive-approximation architecture provides deterministic latency and inherent robustness in noisy industrial environments compared to delta-sigma converters that require complex digital filtering.
The MAX116CAX uses an SAR core clocked from an external crystal or clock source, with an internal reference and channel-selection logic. Four matched track-and-hold blocks feed the SAR core via an internal analog multiplexer, allowing all four channels to be digitized in one conversion cycle with no inter-channel timing skew. This architecture is critical for phase-sensitive applications such as power-line monitoring, motor control, and multi-phase vibration analysis where the relative amplitude and phase between signals carries the engineering meaning.
Typical applications include three-phase power monitoring and metering, motor control current/voltage sensing, multi-axis inertial and vibration measurement, industrial process control multi-channel DAQ, and instrumentation requiring correlated multi-channel sampling. Engineers select this part when phase coherence between channels matters more than raw single-channel speed.
Design considerations include providing adequate bypass capacitance on AVDD/DVDDDVDDVDD rails, ensuring the analog inputs remain within the common-mode range of the track-and-hold amplifiers, and respecting the aperture-time matching spec between channels. The 36-pin SSOP package has moderate thermal resistance suitable for industrial environments but should be paired with a ground plane for digital-noise isolation.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, parametric comparison, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes for the MAX116CAX that go beyond the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for MAX116CAX — 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 MAX116CAX (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Resolution, Number of Channels, Sampling Rate, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MAX1156AEUP+T
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.8 / Unit
View Datasheet →MAX1154AEUE+T
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →MAX1147BEUP+T
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$8.7 / Unit
View Datasheet →MAX1145BEAP+
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →MAX116CAX Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Resolution | 12 bit |
| Number of Channels | 2 x 4 (eight single-ended) |
| Sampling Architecture | Simultaneous-sampling SAR with 4 T/H amplifiers |
| Conversion Time per Channel | 2 us |
| Throughput (1 channel active) | 390 ksps |
| Throughput (2 channels active) | 218 ksps |
| Throughput (3 channels active) | 152 ksps |
| Throughput (4 channels active) | 116 ksps |
| Analog Input Type | Single-ended, 2x 4-channel multiplexed banks |
| Package | 36-pin SSOP (CAX) |
| Terminal Form | Gull wing |
| Package Shape | Rectangular |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial |
| Architecture | Successive Approximation Register (SAR) |
MAX116CAX Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | CH0A — Analog input channel 0, bank A |
| Pin 2 | CH1A — Analog input channel 1, bank A |
| Pin 3 | CH2A — Analog input channel 2, bank A |
| Pin 4 | CH3A — Analog input channel 3, bank A |
| Pin 5 | AGND — Analog ground |
| Pin 6 | AVDD — Analog supply voltage |
| Pin 7 | REF — Reference voltage input/output |
| Pin 8 | REFGND — Reference ground |
| Pin 9 | CH0B — Analog input channel 0, bank B |
| Pin 10 | CH1B — Analog input channel 1, bank B |
| Pin 11 | CH2B — Analog input channel 2, bank B |
| Pin 12 | CH3B — Analog input channel 3, bank B |
| Pin 13 | T/H OUT1 — Track-and-hold amplifier 1 output |
| Pin 14 | T/H OUT2 — Track-and-hold amplifier 2 output |
| Pin 15 | T/H OUT3 — Track-and-hold amplifier 3 output |
| Pin 16 | T/H OUT4 — Track-and-hold amplifier 4 output |
| Pin 17 | MUX A0 — Multiplexer bank A address 0 |
| Pin 18 | MUX A1 — Multiplexer bank A address 1 |
| Pin 19 | MUX B0 — Multiplexer bank B address 0 |
| Pin 20 | MUX B1 — Multiplexer bank B address 1 |
| Pin 21 | CONVST — Conversion start input |
| Pin 22 | EOC — End-of-conversion output |
| Pin 23 | DOUT — Serial data output |
| Pin 24 | SCLK — Serial clock input |
| Pin 25 | CS — Chip-select input |
| Pin 26 | DIN — Serial data input (configuration) |
| Pin 27 | CLK — External clock input |
| Pin 28 | CLKOUT — Clock output (crystal oscillator) |
| Pin 29 | XTAL1 — Crystal oscillator input |
| Pin 30 | XTAL2 — Crystal oscillator output |
| Pin 31 | DVDD — Digital supply voltage |
| Pin 32 | DGND — Digital ground |
| Pin 33 | PD — Power-down input |
| Pin 34 | MODE — Operating mode select |
| Pin 35 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 36 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
MAX116CAX is suitable for 6 applications: Three-Phase Power Monitoring and Metering, Multi-Phase Motor Control Sensing, Multi-Axis Vibration and Inertial Measurement, Industrial Process Control Multi-Channel DAQ, Power-Line Disturbance Recorders, Medical Multi-Parameter Patient Monitoring.
Three-Phase Power Monitoring and Metering
The MAX116CAX fits three-phase power-quality monitoring and Class 0.5 energy-metering applications because its four simultaneous-sampling track-and-hold amplifiers capture phase-A, phase-B, phase-C, and neutral currents at the exact same instant. This eliminates the inter-channel timing skew that would otherwise corrupt real-power, apparent-power, and power-factor calculations. With 12-bit resolution, 116 ksps aggregate throughput at four channels, and 2 us per-channel conversion time, the part meets the sampling requirements of IEC 61000-4-30 power-quality instruments and ANSI C12.20 Class 0.5 revenue-grade meters. The 36-pin SSOP package keeps the BOM small for compact panel-meter form factors.
Recommended
Multi-Phase Motor Control Sensing
The MAX116CAX suits three-phase motor-drive current and voltage sensing where phase coherence between the three stator windings is essential for field-oriented control. Each track-and-hold block on the MAX116CAX samples its assigned phase at the same instant, so the firmware receives simultaneous phase currents and voltages to compute the d/q transform without time-skew artifacts. The 390 ksps single-channel mode supports high-speed current-loop sampling, while 116 ksps in 4-channel mode supports combined voltage and current sensing. Industrial temperature grading makes it suitable for drive-cabinet ambient conditions.
Recommended
Multi-Axis Vibration and Inertial Measurement
The MAX116CAX fits 3-axis or 4-axis vibration and inertial measurement systems where the relative phase between accelerometer or strain-gauge channels defines the vibration mode shape. Four T/H amplifiers on the MAX116CAX sample all axes simultaneously, preserving the phase information required for modal analysis and structural resonance detection. With 12-bit resolution and 116 ksps 4-channel throughput, the part captures vibration signatures up to about 50 kHz - sufficient for most rotating-machinery diagnostics. The SSOP-36 surface-mount package supports compact PCB assemblies inside MEMS-sensor interface boards.
Recommended
Industrial Process Control Multi-Channel DAQ
The MAX116CAX integrates well into industrial process-control data-acquisition modules that monitor four critical process variables (flow, pressure, level, temperature) where snapshot synchronization is needed at control-loop update points. The 2 us per-channel conversion and SAR architecture deliver deterministic latency that simplifies PLC-style deterministic control loops. Its 8 single-ended inputs (two 4-channel banks) let a single MAX116CAX replace multiple single-channel ADCs in cost-sensitive PLC remote-I/O modules. The industrial temperature grade handles cabinet ambient and the SSOP package supports high-density SMT assembly lines.
Recommended
Power-Line Disturbance Recorders
The MAX116CAX serves power-line disturbance and transient recorders where phase-to-ground voltage disturbances must be captured on multiple phases simultaneously to characterize lightning-induced surges, switching transients, and capacitor-bank switching events. The four-channel simultaneous-sampling capability guarantees that the waveform shape across all three phases plus neutral is captured with no timing error, enabling accurate root-cause analysis. With 116 ksps 4-channel throughput, the part is suitable for recording disturbances up to the harmonics range required by IEEE 1159 power-quality monitors. Industrial-grade components are required for substation ambient conditions.
Recommended
Medical Multi-Parameter Patient Monitoring
The MAX116CAX fits medical multi-parameter patient monitors that need to acquire ECG, respiration, SpO2, and temperature channels at synchronized intervals for waveform alignment on the display. Four simultaneous track-and-hold amplifiers ensure that the ECG and respiration impedance channels are sampled at the same instant, eliminating motion-artifact mis-alignment between waveforms. The 12-bit resolution and SAR architecture deliver the deterministic latency required for IEC 60601-1 patient-monitor compliance testing. The SSOP-36 surface-mount package fits the compact form factor of bedside and ambulatory patient monitors.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MAX116CAX — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MAX1156AEUP+T | MAX1154AEUE+T | MAX1147BEUP+T | MAX1145BEAP+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Maxim Integrated | Maxim Integrated | Maxim Integrated | Maxim Integrated | Maxim Integrated |
| Package | 36-pin SSOP (CAX) | 36-pin SSOP (CAX) - same | 36-pin SSOP (CAX) - same | 36-pin SSOP (CAX) - same | 36-pin SSOP (CAX) - same |
| Resolution | 12 bit | 14 bit | 12 bit | 12 bit | 12 bit |
| Architecture | SAR, simultaneous-sampling | SAR, simultaneous-sampling | SAR, simultaneous-sampling | SAR, simultaneous-sampling | SAR, simultaneous-sampling |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND | Active | Active | Active | Active |
Key Differentiators
- Eight single-ended inputs in 2x4 simultaneous-sampling architecture (vs MAX1156AEUP+T)
- Active lifecycle status with 14-bit resolution (vs MAX116CAX (NRND))
- Two-mux-per-channel flexibility (vs MAX1145BEAP+)
Design Notes
Estimated: For a 36-pin SSOP land pattern following IPC-7351 nominal, allocate at least 0.5 mm clearance between SSOP leads and any digital signal traces on inner PCB layers to limit crosstalk into the analog inputs. Place a continuous ground plane on layer 2 directly under the SSOP footprint to provide a low-impedance return path for both AVDD and DVDD switching currents; the SAR core and serial interface on DVDD are the main sources of digital noise that can couple into AVDD through the package substrate.
Decouple AVDD with a 10 uF tantalum or ceramic bulk capacitor plus a 100 nF X7R ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the AVDD pin. Decouple DVDD separately with the same 10 uF + 100 nF combination within 5 mm of the DVDD pin. Do NOT share the AVDD and DVDD ferrite beads' return path - keep the analog and digital grounds joined only at the ADC AGND pin (star grounding) to prevent digital return currents from corrupting analog measurements. Reference the MAX116 datasheet section 3 (Power-Supply Decoupling) for the manufacturer's recommended capacitor network.
Do not exceed the absolute maximum analog input voltage specified in the datasheet, or the input ESD diodes will forward-conduct and corrupt the conversion. When using the internal reference, ensure the REF pin is bypassed with the manufacturer-recommended capacitor network (typically 4.7 uF + 100 nF); an unbypassed REF pin is a leading cause of noisy conversions in field returns. The CONVST pin must be held low until all four T/H amplifiers have acquired their respective inputs - starting a conversion mid-acquisition yields sub-LSB noise and gain mismatch between channels.
Route the four analog input channels as matched-length, matched-impedance traces from the input connectors to the MAX116CAX pins to preserve amplitude and phase balance between channels; a 1 mm length mismatch between two channels at the analog bandwidth of ~1 MHz corresponds to a phase error of about 0.6 degrees, which is meaningful for power-factor measurement. Series-terminate the digital interface (SCLK, DOUT, EOC) at the source with a 33 ohm resistor to damp reflections on the bus to the host microcontroller.
Compliance Information
Compliance information was not present in the verified web data; RoHS/REACH/lead-free status should be confirmed against the Maxim/Analog Devices product page or the manufacturer's declaration of conformity before use in automotive or medical designs.
