MAX1215EGK+TD - 12-Bit 250Msps ADC | Maxim Integrated
MPN: MAX1215EGK+TD ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $32.5 | $32.50 |
| 10 | $28.75 | $287.50 |
| 100 | $24.1 | $2,410.00 |
| 500 | $21.2 | $10,600.00 |
| 1,000 | $18.85 | $18,850.00 |
MAX1215EGK+TD Overview
What is a high-speed ADC? An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is a semiconductor device that samples a continuous analog input signal and converts it to a discrete digital codeword at a defined sampling rate. High-speed ADCs (>= 100 Msps) serve as the key bridge between the analog RF/IF domain and the digital signal processing domain in communications, radar, test equipment, and instrumentation systems. The MAX1215 belongs to the high-IF sampling ADC sub-category, where the analog input can be at tens to hundreds of MHz and the converter is typically followed by a digital downconverter (DDC) or FPGA fabric.
The MAX1215EGK+TD features include a differential analog input with on-chip input buffer, an internal low-jitter clock multiplier, LVDS-compatible digital outputs, and built-in data-ready (DRDY) framing. Its pipelined internal architecture, combined with proprietary calibration, preserves linearity across process and temperature variations. Industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C) is offered per the part's HVQCCN package code, making the device well-suited to commercial and industrial deployments.
Typical applications include broadband digital receivers, multi-carrier UMTS/WCDMA and LTE base-station digitizers, instrumentation and digital oscilloscopes, radar IF sampling, and cable infrastructure downstream QAM receivers. The combination of 250 Msps sampling, excellent SFDR at high IF, and a compact 68-QFN footprint allows direct mounting on tight mezzanine cards close to the antenna or RF front-end.
When designing with this part, allocate at least four PCB layers with dedicated power and ground planes, place 0.1 uF plus 10 uF ceramic bypass capacitors as close as possible to the AVDD pins, and route the LVDS output pairs as 100 ohm differential transmission lines with matched lengths. Provide a clean clock source because aperture jitter dominates SNR at high input frequencies.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical layout guidance that go beyond the manufacturer datasheet pinout and absolute maximums to help engineers shorten integration time.
Drop-in alternatives for MAX1215EGK+TD — 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 MAX1215EGK+TD (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Temperature Range, Package, SFDR.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MAX1215EGK+D
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MAX1216EGK+TD
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MAX1122BEGK+TD
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MAX19542EGK+TD
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$27.25 / Unit
View Datasheet →MAX1215EGK+TD Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Resolution | 12 bit |
| Sampling Rate | 250 Msps |
| Number of Channels | 1 |
| Supply Voltage (Analog/Digital) | 1.8 V |
| Input Type | Differential |
| Architecture | Pipelined |
| SNR at fIN = 100 MHz | 65.5 dBFS |
| SNR at fIN = 250 MHz | 65 dBFS |
| SFDR | 70.7 dBc |
| Noise Floor | -67.5 dBFS |
| Digital Output Interface | LVDS |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Package | 68-pin QFN (HVQCCN), 10x10 mm |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 3 (per JEDEC J-STD-020) |
MAX1215EGK+TD 68-pin qfn (hvqccn), 10x10 mm Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for MAX1215EGK+TD (68-pin qfn (hvqccn), 10x10 mm package). This analog component features input, output, and power supply pins. Refer to the manufacturer datasheet for offset null, compensation, and enable pin configurations. Ideal for signal conditioning and amplifier circuits.
No detailed pinout data available for MAX1215EGK+TD.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
MAX1215EGK+TD is suitable for 6 applications: Broadband Digital Receivers, Multi-Carrier UMTS/LTE Base-Station Digitizers, Digital Oscilloscope and Instrumentation, Radar IF Sampling, Cable Infrastructure Downstream QAM Receivers, Test and Measurement Equipment.
Broadband Digital Receivers
The MAX1215EGK+TD's 250 Msps sample rate and 70.7 dBc SFDR make it ideal for direct-IF sampling in broadband digital receivers used in cellular base-station front-ends. With 65.5 dBFS SNR at fIN = 100 MHz and 65 dBFS at fIN = 250 MHz, the converter preserves signal integrity across the entire first IF range, allowing downstream digital downconversion (DDC) in an FPGA. Placed between the analog RF mixer IF output and an FPGA Mezzanine Card (FMC) connector, the ADC digitizes multi-carrier UMTS, LTE, or 5G NR signals without intermediate analog stages, dramatically reducing BOM cost and PCB area. The 1.8V low-power operation is well suited to line-card designs where heat dissipation is constrained.
Recommended
Multi-Carrier UMTS/LTE Base-Station Digitizers
WCDMA and LTE multi-carrier base-station receivers require ADCs that digitize IF blocks containing several adjacent 5 MHz or 20 MHz carriers simultaneously. The MAX1215EGK+TD's 250 Msps sampling rate accommodates a 100 MHz aggregation bandwidth with substantial margin, while its -67.5 dBFS noise floor ensures the weakest carrier in the block is not buried in ADC quantization noise. Combined with the 68-QFN form factor, multiple MAX1215EGK+TDs can be placed on the same line card to support MIMO or sectorization. Compared with older 100 Msps 12-bit parts, the +150 Msps sample-rate headroom allows designers to push more carriers per ADC, reducing the per-channel cost of the radio unit.
Recommended
Digital Oscilloscope and Instrumentation
Digital oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and wideband instrumentation digitize repetitive and transient signals at hundreds of MHz of analog bandwidth. The MAX1215EGK+TD supports 1 GSPS effective bandwidth (Nyquist at 250 Msps) and excellent SFDR for spurious-tone-free FFT analysis, making it attractive for mid-tier oscilloscope and real-time spectrum analyzer designs. Placed at the output of an analog front-end attenuator chain with anti-alias filter, the ADC delivers clean waveform snapshots for FPGA post-processing. The industrial -40C to +85C operating range supports benchtop and portable instrument use, and the 68-QFN package simplifies thermal dissipation via the center exposed pad.
Recommended
Radar IF Sampling
Modern radar systems use IF-sampling ADCs to convert the output of the radar IF strip directly into the digital domain for pulse compression and Doppler processing. The MAX1215EGK+TD's 250 Msps sampling rate covers typical radar IFs up to 100 MHz with margin, while its 12-bit dynamic range preserves return-signal amplitude resolution. Its LVDS digital outputs interface directly to Xilinx Kintex or Intel Cyclone FPGAs used for radar DSP blocks. The 68-QFN footprint allows placement close to the radar mixer on the RF/IF mezzanine, minimizing analog trace length and preserving SNR. Industrial temperature grade makes the part suitable for ground-based and naval radar installations.
Recommended
Cable Infrastructure Downstream QAM Receivers
DOCSIS 3.1 cable headends aggregate multiple 256-QAM or 1024-QAM downstream channels across 1 GHz or more of coax spectrum. The MAX1215EGK+TD's 65 dBFS SNR at 250 MHz input preserves symbol-error-rate margin for densely-packed QAM constellations, while its -67.5 dBFS noise floor does not add to the link MER budget. Combined with its LVDS output interface, multiple MAX1215EGK+TDs feed downstream FPGA demodulators in parallel. Compared to dedicated QAM demodulator ASICs, this approach enables software-defined channel bonding. The 1.8V supply and 68-QFN footprint simplify power-plane design and routing in 1U headend chassis.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Equipment
Benchtop signal analyzers, arbitrary waveform generator AWG feedback paths, and wideband digitizers all benefit from the MAX1215EGK+TD's combination of 250 Msps sample rate and 12-bit linearity. Used inside a closed-loop AWG calibration or spectrum analyzer IF chain, the ADC provides captured snapshots that characterize analog stages. Its -67.5 dBFS noise floor allows detection of small spurs in the analyzed signal. The exposed-pad 68-QFN package simplifies heat removal in enclosed benchtop chassis, and the part's industrial temperature rating supports lab and field-deployed test equipment. Engineers can capture both baseband and modulated waveforms with consistent dynamic range.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MAX1215EGK+TD — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MAX1215EGK+D | MAX1216EGK+TD | MAX1122BEGK+TD | MAX19542EGK+TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 68-QFN (10x10 mm) | 68-QFN (10x10 mm) - same | 68-QFN (10x10 mm) - same | 68-QFN (10x10 mm) - same | 68-QFN (10x10 mm) - same |
| Brand | Analog Devices (Maxim Integrated) | Analog Devices | Analog Devices | Analog Devices | Analog Devices |
| Resolution | 12 bit | 12 bit | 12 bit | 14 bit (+17%) | 12 bit |
| Supply Voltage | 1.8 V | 1.8 V | 1.8 V | 1.8 V | 1.8 V |
| Output Interface | LVDS | LVDS | LVDS | LVDS | LVDS |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
Key Differentiators
- Highest combination of sample rate and 68-QFN packaging in ADI portfolio (vs MAX1122BEGK+TD)
- Direct-IF sampling optimized for high-frequency inputs (vs MAX19542EGK+TD)
- Drop-in 300 Msps upgrade path exists in same family (vs MAX1216EGK+TD)
Design Notes
Estimated: For the MAX1215EGK+TD in a 4-layer PCB, allocate dedicated inner planes for AVDD (1.8V) and ground. Place 0.1 uF X7R ceramic bypass capacitors within 1 mm of every AVDD pin, and add one 10 uF bulk ceramic on each side of the package. The exposed-pad (EP) center pad must be soldered to a continuous copper ground plane with at least 9 thermal vias (0.3 mm drill, 0.6 mm pitch) to keep junction temperature below 110C in 250 Msps operation. Estimated: at full -2 dBFS input drive, expected package dissipation is approximately 0.5 W to 0.8 W.
Route the LVDS output pairs (D0..D11) as 100 ohm differential transmission lines with matched lengths to within 0.5 mm (recommended 0.2 mm for higher-margin designs). Keep clock traces (CLK+/CLK-) short and isolated from the analog inputs by at least 3 line widths to minimize coupling. Use guard ground traces around the analog input traces and vias to preserve the 65.5 dBFS SNR specification. DRDY and over-range flags should be length-matched to the data pairs.
Do not assume the MAX1215EGK+TD can be hot-swapped into a board designed for the MAX1122BEGK+TD without re-validating timing: although the 68-QFN pinout is shared, the lower sample rate of MAX1122 means clock and output timing constraints differ. Also avoid using the internal clock multiplier as a substitute for a clean external oscillator; SNR at high IF is dominated by aperture jitter, not by the analog front end. Finally, do not skip the data-ready (DRDY) framing signal - some FPGAs can deserialize LVDS data without it, but skipping DRDY makes synchronization errors difficult to debug.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free compliance verified per Maxim Integrated (now Analog Devices) product page. AEC-Q100 not applicable - this part targets broadband communications, not automotive. Halogen-free status not explicitly stated in verified web data.
