MAX1211ETL+T - 65Msps 12-Bit IF Sampling ADC | Analog Devices
MPN: MAX1211ETL+T ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $18.5 | $18.50 |
| 10 | $16.75 | $167.50 |
| 100 | $14.95 | $1,495.00 |
| 500 | $13.2 | $6,600.00 |
| 1,000 | $11.65 | $11,650.00 |
MAX1211ETL+T Overview
What is an IF-sampling ADC? An ADC of this type is a data-conversion IC that digitizes analog signals whose carrier frequency lies in the intermediate-frequency (typically tens to hundreds of MHz) range. IF-sampling ADCs sit in the signal chain hierarchy between the RF front end and the baseband processor, and they are a category of high-speed pipeline converters within the broader class of data acquisition ICs. The MAX1211's wide analog input bandwidth lets designers place the ADC directly after the IF filter, simplifying board layout and reducing component count relative to traditional baseband-sampling architectures.
Key features include a fully differential wideband track-and-hold (T/H) front end that accepts single-ended or differential inputs, selectable two's-complement or Gray-code CMOS-compatible parallel digital outputs, a data-valid indicator that removes the need for external timing components, and a low-power 3.3 V operating mode that consumes 314 mW in single-ended operation. The internal precision bandgap reference can be overridden by an external reference for design flexibility.
Architecturally, the MAX1211 employs a multi-stage pipelined quantizer driven by a wideband track-and-hold, with proprietary calibration logic that linearizes the residue gain to deliver strong SFDR performance at high input frequencies. The 0.15 mW power-down mode preserves battery life during idle periods in portable or interrupt-driven systems.
Typical applications include wireless infrastructure receivers (LTE/3G base stations), cable head-end equipment, radar digitizers, medical imaging front ends, and high-end instrumentation digitizers. The wide IF-sampling bandwidth also makes the part attractive for software-defined radio platforms and broadband test gear where the ADC digitizes an IF signal at the antenna interface.
When designing with this device, engineers should pay close attention to input common-mode voltage, the differential T/H drive network, and clock jitter - which directly limits SNR at high fIN. Layout care for the analog and digital grounds is essential, and a low-jitter clock source is required to realize the datasheet's 66.8 dB SNR figure.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, parametric drop-in alternatives, and practical design guidance that go beyond the contents of the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for MAX1211ETL+T — 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 MAX1211ETL+T (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Resolution, Architecture, Terminal Form.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MAX1209ETL+T
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$10.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →MAX1209ETL+TG3U
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$9.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →MAX1206ETL+T
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MAX1211EVKIT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MAX1211ETL+T Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Resolution | 12 bits |
| Sample Rate | 65 Msps (max) |
| ADC Architecture | Pipelined, single-channel |
| Input Bandwidth | 400 MHz to 700 MHz |
| SNR at fIN = 175 MHz | 66.8 dB |
| SFDR at fIN = 175 MHz | 79.7 dBc |
| Analog Supply | 3.3 V (single) |
| Power Consumption (Single-Ended) | 314 mW |
| Power-Down Mode | 0.15 mW |
| Input Configuration | Fully differential or single-ended |
| Digital Outputs | Parallel CMOS (two's complement or Gray-code selectable) |
| Reference | Internal bandgap or external |
| Data Valid Indicator | Yes (built-in) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C |
| Package | 40-pin TQFN EP (MO-220, 6x6 mm, 0.80 mm height) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
MAX1211ETL+T Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | CLK — CMOS clock input (latches the analog input on rising edge) |
| Pin 2 | AVDD — Analog +3.3 V supply |
| Pin 3 | GND — Analog ground |
| Pin 4 | IN+ — Differential positive analog input |
| Pin 5 | IN- — Differential negative analog input |
| Pin 6 | COM — Common-mode voltage for single-ended input mode |
| Pin 7 | REFIN — Reference input/external reference select |
| Pin 8 | REFOUT — Internal bandgap reference output (2.048 V typical) |
| Pin 9 | REFCOM — Reference ground return |
| Pin 10 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 11 | D11 (MSB) — Data output bit 11 (MSB) |
| Pin 12 | D10 — Data output bit 10 |
| Pin 13 | D9 — Data output bit 9 |
| Pin 14 | D8 — Data output bit 8 |
| Pin 15 | D7 — Data output bit 7 |
| Pin 16 | D6 — Data output bit 6 |
| Pin 17 | D5 — Data output bit 5 |
| Pin 18 | D4 — Data output bit 4 |
| Pin 19 | D3 — Data output bit 3 |
| Pin 20 | D2 — Data output bit 2 |
| Pin 21 | D1 — Data output bit 1 |
| Pin 22 | D0 (LSB) — Data output bit 0 (LSB) |
| Pin 23 | GND — Digital ground |
| Pin 24 | DVDD — Digital +3.3 V supply (output driver) |
| Pin 25 | OE — Output enable (active high logic input) |
| Pin 26 | G/T — Output format select: high = Gray-code, low = two's complement |
| Pin 27 | PD — Power-down input (active high, 0.15 mW sleep current) |
| Pin 28 | DVA — Data-valid indicator output (active high) |
| Pin 29 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 30 | AVDD — Analog +3.3 V supply |
| Pin 31 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 32 | AVDD — Analog +3.3 V supply |
| Pin 33 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 34 | AVDD — Analog +3.3 V supply |
| Pin 35 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 36 | AVDD — Analog +3.3 V supply |
| Pin 37 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 38 | AVDD — Analog +3.3 V supply |
| Pin 39 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 40 | EP — Exposed pad - thermal and ground (solder to PCB ground pad) |
Typical Applications
MAX1211ETL+T is suitable for 6 applications: Wireless Infrastructure IF Sampling, Broadband Radar Signal Digitizer, Software-Defined Radio (SDR) Receiver, Cable Head-End and Broadband Modem Equipment, Medical Imaging Front End, High-End Instrumentation Digitizer.
Wireless Infrastructure IF Sampling
The MAX1211ETL+T directly digitizes intermediate-frequency signals in LTE, W-CDMA, and WiMAX base-station receivers. Its 400-700 MHz analog input bandwidth accommodates IF stages at 70 MHz, 140 MHz, or 240 MHz without a second down-conversion mixer, while 66.8 dB SNR at 175 MHz preserves demodulator margin. Placed between the IF SAW filter and an FPGA/CPLD signal processor, it replaces the legacy mixer-amplifier-filter-ADC cascade. The 65 Msps parallel CMOS output simplifies clock-domain crossing on the FPGA. Compared to baseband-sampling ADCs, the MAX1211's wideband IF input allows a smaller board footprint and lower component count.
Recommended
Broadband Radar Signal Digitizer
Radar receivers digitize pulse-compressed IF echoes at tens of MHz carrier frequency with high dynamic range. The MAX1211ETL+T's 79.7 dBc SFDR at 175 MHz preserves detection of small returns next to large clutter returns, a critical radar dynamic-range metric. The wide T/H input bandwidth accommodates the wide pulse-compression bandwidths used in modern radar modes, and the differential T/H input allows direct interface to an IF amplifier chain. The 0.15 mW power-down mode supports duty-cycled radar transmit/receive windows. FPGA capture of the parallel CMOS outputs streamlines real-time I/Q processing downstream.
Recommended
Software-Defined Radio (SDR) Receiver
Software-defined radios depend on flexible, wideband ADCs to capture RF/IF spectra for digital down-conversion. The MAX1211ETL+T's 400-700 MHz input bandwidth covers most of the HF-VHF-UHF amateur and commercial bands when paired with a low-IF mixer, and the selectable two's-complement or Gray-code output eases clock-domain crossing into FPGA fabric. The 0.15 mW power-down mode is valuable in battery-powered QRP or portable SDR kits. The CMOS parallel interface also simplifies ASIC/FPGA integration for custom digital signal processing chains. The MAX1209 sibling is widely used in lower-cost 40 Msps SDR platforms.
Recommended
Cable Head-End and Broadband Modem Equipment
DOCSIS 3.x cable head-end receivers and edge-QAM platforms demand high-linearity IF-sampling ADCs to digitize upstream/downstream sub-bands. The MAX1211ETL+T's 79.7 dBc SFDR supports the wide signal-level ranges found in DOCSIS upstream channels, and its 12-bit resolution is sufficient for downstream QAM demodulator error budgets. The 3.3 V single-supply operation simplifies power-tree design alongside downstream digital ASICs. The built-in data-valid indicator simplifies FPGA timing closure across bursty upstream bursts. The exposed pad and 6 x 6 mm package aid dense multi-channel receiver card layouts.
Recommended
Medical Imaging Front End
Ultrasound and other medical imaging systems digitize wideband analog IF signals from beamformed transducer arrays. The MAX1211ETL+T's combination of 12-bit resolution, 79.7 dBc SFDR, and 65 Msps throughput preserves the dynamic range needed for echo-decoding in tissue-harmonic or contrast-imaging modes. The differential T/H input can be coupled directly to array preamplifier outputs, while the low 314 mW power consumption at 3.3 V helps manage thermal budgets in dense probe-head electronics. CMOS parallel outputs and 1-2-3-12 bit resolution align with common FPGA-based beamformers in medical imaging.
Recommended
High-End Instrumentation Digitizer
Spectrum-analyzer and wideband oscilloscope front ends rely on wideband IF-sampling ADCs to capture transient and spectral events. The MAX1211ETL+T's 400-700 MHz input bandwidth supports direct IF at 70/140/200 MHz with 65 Msps capture, while the 79.7 dBc SFDR aids narrowband spur detection. The parallel CMOS interface streams digitized samples directly to an FPGA-based FFT processor for real-time spectrum display. Internal or external reference selection simplifies integration with front-end down-converter tuning. Compared to baseband-sampling ADCs the MAX1211 cuts the pre-ADC downconversion stage, reducing BOM and calibration effort.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MAX1211ETL+T — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MAX1209ETL+T | MAX1209ETL+TG3U | MAX1206ETL+T |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Analog Devices / Maxim Integrated | Analog Devices / Maxim Integrated | Analog Devices / Maxim Integrated | Analog Devices / Maxim Integrated |
| Package | TQFN-40 EP (6x6 mm, MO-220) | TQFN-40 EP (6x6 mm, MO-220) - same | TQFN-40 EP (6x6 mm, MO-220) - same | TQFN-40 EP (6x6 mm, MO-220) - same |
| Resolution | 12-bit | 12-bit | 12-bit | 12-bit |
| Sample Rate (max) | 65 Msps | 40 Msps | 40 Msps | 40 Msps |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V |
| Power-Down Mode | 0.15 mW | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Industrial Temp Range | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C |
Key Differentiators
- Highest sample rate (65 Msps) in the MAX120x/121x family (vs MAX1209ETL+T (40 Msps))
- Documented IF-sampling performance at 175 MHz (vs MAX1209ETL+T (40 Msps))
- Highest-volume manufacturing in the family - reference design support (vs MAX1206ETL+T (40 Msps))
Design Notes
Estimated: At 65 Msps sample rate, the analog clock jitter must remain below the equation titter < = 1 / (2 pi fIN x 2^N) for full SNR. For N=12-bit SNR at fIN = 175 MHz, jitter tolerance is roughly 0.4 ps RMS - demanding a low-jitter clock source (e.g., a jitter-cleaner or a VCXO-based PLD output). Adding even 1 ps of jitter degrades SNR by roughly 4 dB, so budget jitter end-to-end across the FPGA and clock tree. Buffer clocks close to the ADC with a high-bandwidth, low-jitter clock buffer.
Keep analog input traces matched (differential length match of 1 mm or less) and 50 ohm single-ended / 100 ohm differential routed into the IN+ and IN- pads to preserve 66.8 dB SNR at 175 MHz. Segregate AVCC and DVDCC plane islands, joining them only at one point under the exposed pad to break return-current loops. Decouple each supply pin with 100 nF X7R + 10 uF ceramic caps placed within 2 mm of each pin, and flood ground on inner layers adjacent to the differential input traces.
Estimated: Decouple analog (AVDD) and digital (DVDD) supplies with separate ferrite beads or L-C pi-filters to keep clock-edge noise out of the analog modulator. Place a 100 uF bulk capacitor adjacent to the supply ferrites to support the 95 mA peak current demand at 65 Msps. Drive PD (Power-Down) high during reset and pull down only after the input clock stabilizes to avoid in-rush current glitches. Use a sequenced soft-start on AVDD first, then DVDD if mixed rails are present.
Avoid driving the MAX1211's analog inputs outside the data-sheet common-mode voltage range (typically 1.5 V +/- 0.5 V at AVDD = 3.3 V); this degrades SFDR. Do not float the G/T pin - tie it either directly high (Gray-code) or low (two's complement) at board bring-up. Avoid using the internal reference when more than one ADC is shared across a board - drive REFIN from a single external reference for best gain matching. Confirm OE state during reset to avoid bus contention on the D0-D11 parallel outputs.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Maxim Integrated product page. Industrial temperature grade -40C to +85C. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - this part is intended for communications and instrumentation, not automotive.
