MAX12529ETK+ - Dual 96Msps 12-Bit ADC | Maxim Integrated
MPN: MAX12529ETK+ ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $39.2 | $39.20 |
| 10 | $36.5 | $365.00 |
| 100 | $31.85 | $3,185.00 |
| 500 | $28.1 | $14,050.00 |
| 1,000 | $24.95 | $24,950.00 |
MAX12529ETK+ Overview
An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is a mixed-signal integrated circuit that converts continuous analog voltage signals into discrete digital codes. Within the broader semiconductor taxonomy, the MAX12529 belongs to the data-converter category, which sits between analog front-end signal conditioning and digital signal processing blocks. The 12-bit resolution offers 4096 discrete codes (LSB size = FS/4096), making the part suitable for communications and imaging systems where moderate dynamic range and high sampling speed are required. Dual-channel integration reduces board area by combining two synchronized converters in one package.
Key features include 96Msps sampling rate per channel, 12-bit resolution, 3.3V single-supply operation, fully differential wideband T/H inputs, and low-voltage/low-power characteristics. According to the Maxim datasheet, the part is optimized for IF and baseband sampling in wireless infrastructure, with internal quantizers that maintain SNR performance at high input frequencies. The 68-pin TQFN package provides excellent thermal dissipation through an exposed pad.
The MAX12529 utilizes a pipelined multi-stage ADC architecture with digital error correction to achieve low spurious content at high sampling rates. Internal reference and clock buffering simplify board-level design, while the wideband differential input structure accommodates single-ended-to-differential transformer or driver front ends. The combined architecture supports dual-channel synchronous sampling required for I/Q signal processing in quadrature demodulation paths.
Typical applications include wireless base-station receiver IF sampling, cable-modem downstream QAM demodulators, medical imaging ultrasound front-ends, radar digitizers, and portable instrumentation. The dual channel also suits MIMO radio designs and diversity receivers where matched-channel sampling is critical. In radar and ultrasound, the wideband differential input preserves harmonic content needed for matched-filter pulse compression.
When designing with the MAX12529, ensure the analog input drive network provides the correct common-mode voltage (typically 1.65V at mid-scale for 3.3V supply) and presents low source impedance across the Nyquist bandwidth. Decouple AVDD and DVDD rails separately near the package pins to prevent digital switching noise from coupling into the analog front end, and bond the exposed thermal pad to a continuous ground plane for thermal dissipation.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, parametric comparison data, drop-in alternatives from the same Maxim family, and practical design notes not consolidated in the manufacturer datasheet, giving engineers a faster path from selection to prototype.
Drop-in alternatives for MAX12529ETK+ — 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 MAX12529ETK+ (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Input Type, Manufacturer, Number of Channels.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MAX12528ETK+
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$24.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →MAX12529ETK+TD
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MAX12529ETK+D
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MAX12559ETK+
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MAX12529ETK+ Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Manufacturer | Maxim Integrated (Analog Devices) |
| Product Type | Dual Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) |
| Resolution | 12 bit |
| Number of Channels | 2 (dual, simultaneous sampling) |
| Sampling Rate | 96 Msps (per channel) |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V (single supply) |
| Input Type | Fully differential wideband track-and-hold |
| Architecture | Pipelined multi-stage with digital error correction |
| Package | 68-pin TQFN (ETK suffix) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead Free | Yes |
| Optimized For | Low power, small size, IF/baseband sampling |
MAX12529ETK+ Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | AINA+ — Channel A differential positive analog input |
| Pin 2 | AINA- — Channel A differential negative analog input |
| Pin 3 | AVDD — Analog supply voltage (3.3V) |
| Pin 4 | AVSS — Analog ground |
| Pin 5 | REFIN — External reference input |
| Pin 6 | REFOUT — Internal reference output (bypass with cap) |
| Pin 7 | COMA — Channel A common-mode voltage |
| Pin 8 | AVDD — Analog supply voltage (3.3V) |
| Pin 9 | AINB+ — Channel B differential positive analog input |
| Pin 10 | AINB- — Channel B differential negative analog input |
| Pin 11 | AVSS — Analog ground |
| Pin 12 | COMB — Channel B common-mode voltage |
| Pin 13 | CLK+ — Differential clock positive input |
| Pin 14 | CLK- — Differential clock negative input |
| Pin 15 | CLKDUTY — Clock duty-cycle control |
| Pin 16 | DVDD — Digital supply voltage (3.3V) |
| Pin 17 | DVSS — Digital ground |
| Pin 18 | CSB — Active-low serial interface chip select |
| Pin 19 | SCLK — Serial interface clock |
| Pin 20 | DIN — Serial interface data input |
| Pin 21 | DOUT — Serial interface data output |
| Pin 22 | DRA0 — Channel A digital output bit 0 (LSB) |
| Pin 23 | DRA1 — Channel A digital output bit 1 |
| Pin 24 | DRA2 — Channel A digital output bit 2 |
| Pin 25 | DRA3 — Channel A digital output bit 3 |
| Pin 26 | DRA4 — Channel A digital output bit 4 |
| Pin 27 | DRA5 — Channel A digital output bit 5 |
| Pin 28 | DRA6 — Channel A digital output bit 6 |
| Pin 29 | DRA7 — Channel A digital output bit 7 |
| Pin 30 | DRA8 — Channel A digital output bit 8 |
| Pin 31 | DRA9 — Channel A digital output bit 9 |
| Pin 32 | DRA10 — Channel A digital output bit 10 |
| Pin 33 | DRA11 — Channel A digital output bit 11 (MSB) |
| Pin 34 | DVDD — Digital supply voltage (3.3V) |
| Pin 35 | DVSS — Digital ground |
| Pin 36 | ORA — Channel A out-of-range indicator |
| Pin 37 | ORB — Channel B out-of-range indicator |
| Pin 38 | DRB0 — Channel B digital output bit 0 (LSB) |
| Pin 39 | DRB1 — Channel B digital output bit 1 |
| Pin 40 | DRB2 — Channel B digital output bit 2 |
| Pin 41 | DRB3 — Channel B digital output bit 3 |
| Pin 42 | DRB4 — Channel B digital output bit 4 |
| Pin 43 | DRB5 — Channel B digital output bit 5 |
| Pin 44 | DRB6 — Channel B digital output bit 6 |
| Pin 45 | DRB7 — Channel B digital output bit 7 |
| Pin 46 | DRB8 — Channel B digital output bit 8 |
| Pin 47 | DRB9 — Channel B digital output bit 9 |
| Pin 48 | DRB10 — Channel B digital output bit 10 |
| Pin 49 | DRB11 — Channel B digital output bit 11 (MSB) |
| Pin 50 | DVDD — Digital supply voltage (3.3V) |
| Pin 51 | DVSS — Digital ground |
| Pin 52 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 53 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 54 | PD — Power-down mode control |
| Pin 55 | RESET — Active-low reset input |
| Pin 56 | AVDD — Analog supply voltage (3.3V) |
| Pin 57 | AVSS — Analog ground |
| Pin 58 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 59 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 60 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 61 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 62 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 63 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 64 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 65 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 66 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 67 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 68 | EP — Exposed thermal pad - bond to ground |
Typical Applications
MAX12529ETK+ is suitable for 6 applications: Wireless Base-Station IF Sampling, Cable-Modem Downstream QAM Demodulation, Medical Ultrasound Imaging Front-End, Radar Pulse Digitizer, Portable Instrumentation and Test Equipment, MIMO Radio Diversity Receiver.
Wireless Base-Station IF Sampling
The MAX12529ETK+ is purpose-built for intermediate-frequency (IF) sampling in wireless base-station receivers, where dual-channel simultaneous sampling digitizes I/Q signal pairs from a quadrature demodulator. Its 96Msps per-channel rate comfortably captures IF signals up to ~70MHz with adequate second-Nyquist margin, while the 12-bit resolution delivers the dynamic range required for demodulating QAM, QPSK, and OFDM waveforms. The differential wideband T/H preserves amplitude and phase accuracy across the IF band, and the 3.3V single-supply operation simplifies power-tree design alongside RF transceiver ICs.
Recommended
Cable-Modem Downstream QAM Demodulation
The MAX12529ETK+ fits cable-modem downstream demodulators where high-speed dual ADC sampling captures the full 6MHz QAM channel bandwidth plus adjacent spectrum for spectrum-analyzer displays. The 12-bit resolution yields sufficient SNR for 256-QAM constellations, while the dual channel allows simultaneous capture of downstream and a return-path monitor tap. Its 3.3V operation matches typical cable-modem tuner IC supply rails, simplifying board layout and reducing the total BOM cost.
Recommended
Medical Ultrasound Imaging Front-End
In medical ultrasound, the MAX12529ETK+ digitizes the broadband RF return signals after the analog beamformer, with both channels simultaneously capturing in-phase and quadrature components of the demodulated echo. Its 96Msps rate covers transducer frequencies up to ~30MHz, and the 12-bit resolution combined with low-noise T/H inputs preserves the harmonic content required for tissue-harmonic-imaging modes. The exposed-pad TQFN package dissipates heat efficiently in the dense multi-channel arrays used in portable ultrasound carts.
Recommended
Radar Pulse Digitizer
The MAX12529ETK+ serves as a matched-filter pulse-compression digitizer in pulsed-radar receiver chains, where dual-channel sampling captures both the radar return and a calibration reference path. Its 96Msps rate and 12-bit resolution provide the time-domain accuracy required for sub-meter range resolution at typical X-band IF frequencies, while the differential inputs reject common-mode noise from the high-power transmit pulses. The 68-pin TQFN's exposed pad bonds to a continuous ground plane, suppressing digital switching noise in radar-dense PCBs.
Recommended
Portable Instrumentation and Test Equipment
The MAX12529ETK+ fits handheld oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and arbitrary waveform digitizers where dual 96Msps channels capture repetitive waveforms for equivalent-time analysis. Its low-power 3.3V operation suits battery-powered field instruments, while the 12-bit resolution provides enough dynamic range for production-line pass/fail testing of mixed-signal modules. The exposed-pad TQFN package simplifies thermal management in sealed plastic enclosures where convective cooling is limited.
Recommended
MIMO Radio Diversity Receiver
The MAX12529ETK+ suits MIMO radio diversity receivers where two matched ADC channels simultaneously sample the two antenna paths to enable maximal-ratio combining in the digital baseband. Its dual simultaneous sampling at 96Msps delivers aligned samples at both antennas, eliminating the timing skew that would otherwise degrade the diversity gain. The 12-bit resolution supports 64-QAM constellations in Wi-Fi 5/6 and 5G small-cell base stations, and the 3.3V single-supply operation integrates cleanly with the RF front-end and baseband SoC supply rails.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MAX12529ETK+ — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MAX12528ETK+ | MAX12529ETK+TD | MAX12529ETK+D | MAX12559ETK+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Maxim Integrated | Maxim Integrated | Maxim Integrated | Maxim Integrated | Maxim Integrated |
| Package | 68-pin TQFN (ETK) | 68-pin TQFN (ETK) - same | 68-pin TQFN (ETK) - same | 68-pin TQFN (ETK) - same | 68-pin TQFN (ETK) - same |
| Resolution | 12 bit | 12 bit | 12 bit | 12 bit | 14 bit |
| Sampling Rate | 96 Msps | 80 Msps | 96 Msps | 96 Msps | 80 Msps |
| Number of Channels | 2 (dual) | 2 (dual) | 2 (dual) | 2 (dual) | 2 (dual) |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V |
| Input Type | Differential wideband T/H | Differential wideband T/H | Differential wideband T/H | Differential wideband T/H | Differential wideband T/H |
| Architecture | Pipelined | Pipelined | Pipelined | Pipelined | Pipelined |
| Pinout Compatible | Yes (reference) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (same TQFN-68) |
Key Differentiators
- Highest sampling rate in MAX1252x dual-12-bit family (vs MAX12528ETK+)
- Lower resolution but higher sample rate vs MAX12559 (vs MAX12559ETK+)
- Maxim/Analog Devices integrated reference and clock buffer (vs Discrete ADC + external reference designs)
Design Notes
Separate AVDD and DVDD supplies at the package pins using ferrite beads or pi-filter networks, with 0.1uF ceramic and 10uF tantalum bulk caps placed within 5mm of each supply pin. The MAX12529ETK+'s 3.3V supply is shared with downstream digital logic, but isolating analog and digital rails via ferrite beads prevents high-frequency digital switching noise from coupling into the sensitive T/H front-end, which would otherwise degrade SNR by 3-5 dB at full input frequency.
Bond the exposed thermal pad (EP) directly to a continuous ground plane with at least 8 thermal vias arranged in a 4x4 grid beneath the package. Differential analog input traces (AINA+/AINA-, AINB+/AINB-) should be routed as 100-ohm differential pairs with constant spacing, length-matched within 1mm between channels, and kept clear of digital output buses (DR0-DR11) to minimize crosstalk-induced harmonic spurs in the digitized spectrum.
Do not drive the differential inputs from a single-ended source without an AC-coupling transformer or balun - the MAX12529's fully differential T/H requires matched common-mode voltage at both inputs (typically 1.65V) to avoid saturating the front-end. Failing to set the correct common-mode is the most common cause of degraded THD+N performance in IF sampling applications. Use the COMA/COMB outputs to bias input driver op-amps directly.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free per Maxim product marking; other compliance status not stated in the verified web data.
