MAX1288EKA+ - 12-Bit 150ksps ADC, 2-Ch SE / 1-Ch Diff | Maxim Integrated
MPN: MAX1288EKA+ ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.79 | $5.79 |
| 10 | $5.21 | $52.10 |
| 100 | $4.63 | $463.00 |
| 500 | $4.05 | $2,025.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.47 | $3,470.00 |
MAX1288EKA+ Overview
What is a SAR ADC? A successive-approximation register analog-to-digital converter is a type of data-conversion IC that performs one bit of conversion per clock cycle using an internal DAC and comparator loop. SAR ADCs occupy the middle ground between flash converters (very fast, expensive, high power) and sigma-delta ADCs (very high resolution, slower, oversampling). SAR ADCs are widely used in industrial control, instrumentation, and portable sensing because they deliver 8- to 18-bit resolution at sampling rates from tens of ksps to several Msps with deterministic latency and modest power consumption.
Key features of the MAX1288EKA+ include 150 ksps throughput, ±1 LSB INL (max), low power consumption of 3.3 mW at 150 ksps and 1.2 mW in power-down mode, an internal 2.5V reference with optional external reference input, and true-differential analog inputs that reject common-mode noise. The 3-wire SPI-compatible serial interface allows direct connection to microcontrollers, DSPs, and FPGAs without glue logic.
The MAX1288EKA+ uses a capacitive charge-distribution DAC coupled with an input track-and-hold, providing excellent DC accuracy and low distortion. The internal reference eliminates the need for an external precision reference, saving BOM cost and PCB area. AutoShutdown between conversions reduces average current to microampere levels, ideal for duty-cycled battery applications.
Typical applications include portable medical instruments such as blood-pressure and glucose meters, industrial process-control sensor interfaces, data-acquisition modules, battery-powered instrumentation, and front-end digitizers for optical sensors and strain gauges. The small SOT23 footprint and integrated reference allow single-sided PCB layouts as small as 25 mm².
When designing with this device, decouple AVDD with a 0.1 µF ceramic capacitor placed within 3 mm of the supply pin, and add a 10 µF bulk capacitor on the board's main rail. For high-impedance sensors, add an input RC filter (typically 100 Ω / 100 pF) to limit broadband noise coupling into the ADC's 4 MHz input bandwidth.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing from DigiKey and LCSC, parametric cross-reference alternatives in the same SOT23 footprint, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for MAX1288EKA+ — 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 MAX1288EKA+ (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Number of Channels, Package, Resolution, Sampling Rate, Input Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MAX1288EKA-T
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MAX1287EKA+
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MAX1289EKA+
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MAX1115EKA+G002
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →MAX1119EKA-T
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.74 / Unit
View Datasheet →MAX1288EKA+ Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Resolution | 12 bit |
| Sampling Rate | 150 ksps |
| Number of Channels | 2 single-ended / 1 differential |
| Input Type | Single-Ended, True-Differential |
| Architecture | SAR (Successive Approximation) |
| Supply Voltage | 2.7 V to 3.6 V |
| Internal Reference | 2.5 V |
| External Reference Input | Yes (REF pin) |
| Power Consumption (Active) | 3.3 mW at 150 ksps |
| Interface | SPI/QSPI/MICROWIRE-compatible serial |
| Package | SOT23-8 (EKA) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| AutoShutdown | Yes |
MAX1288EKA+ Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | AVDD — Analog supply voltage (2.7V to 3.6V) |
| Pin 2 | AIN0/AIN+ — Analog input channel 0 (single-ended) or positive differential input |
| Pin 3 | REF — Reference input/output (internal 2.5V or external reference) |
| Pin 4 | AIN1/AIN- — Analog input channel 1 (single-ended) or negative differential input |
| Pin 5 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 6 | DOUT/SHDN — Serial data output / shutdown control |
| Pin 7 | CS — Chip select (active low) |
| Pin 8 | SCLK — Serial clock input |
Typical Applications
MAX1288EKA+ is suitable for 6 applications: Portable Medical Instruments, Industrial Process-Control Sensor Digitizer, Battery-Powered Data-Acquisition Modules, Optical Sensor Front-End Digitizer, Strain-Gauge / Load-Cell Digitizer, Portable Instrumentation Front-End.
Portable Medical Instruments
The MAX1288EKA+ fits portable medical instruments because it delivers 12-bit resolution at 150 ksps while drawing only 3.3 mW active and 1.2 mW in AutoShutdown. Blood-pressure cuffs, glucose meters, and pulse-oximeter front-ends digitize pressure and optical signals at sample rates well below 150 ksps, so the SAR architecture provides deterministic latency needed for synchronous DSP filtering. The internal 2.5V reference eliminates the cost of a precision external reference and the SOT23-8 footprint keeps the analog section under 10 mm². Placed between the sensor bridge and the MCU ADC interface, the MAX1288EKA+ offers true-differential input that rejects common-mode noise from long patient cables, improving measurement repeatability across patients.
Recommended
Industrial Process-Control Sensor Digitizer
The MAX1288EKA+ suits industrial process-control sensor digitizers because its 2 single-ended or 1 differential input accommodates thermocouple, RTD bridge, and 4-20 mA-loop sensor outputs. The 2.7V to 3.6V supply is compatible with 3.3V industrial MCU rails, while true-differential input rejects 50/60 Hz common-mode noise from motor drives. With 150 ksps throughput, the converter can digitize up to 4 channels of multiplexed data at 37.5 ksps each, sufficient for closed-loop process control. The SOT23-8 package supports dense PCB layouts where multiple ADC channels must coexist with isolation barriers.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Data-Acquisition Modules
The MAX1288EKA+ fits battery-powered data-acquisition modules because its AutoShutdown feature reduces quiescent current to microampere levels between conversions. For duty-cycled sensors that sample once per second, the average current drops by a factor of 1000, extending battery life from weeks to months. The integrated 2.5V reference saves the cost of a separate reference IC and the SOT23-8 footprint fits miniature wearable enclosures. Placed at the front-end of an MCU-based DAQ, the MAX1288EKA+ provides deterministic SAR conversion that allows precise timestamp alignment with downstream digital filtering.
Recommended
Optical Sensor Front-End Digitizer
The MAX1288EKA+ suits optical sensor front-end digitizers such as ambient-light sensors and infrared photodiode arrays because its true-differential input rejects ambient-light interference common-mode noise. With 12-bit resolution and 150 ksps throughput, the converter can digitize pulsed optical signals at sample rates that support synchronous detection algorithms. The internal 2.5V reference provides stable full-scale range across temperature, important for absolute lux measurement. Placed between a transimpedance amplifier and a microcontroller, the MAX1288EKA+ offers compact SAR conversion in a SOT23-8 footprint that fits inside small optical sensor housings.
Recommended
Strain-Gauge / Load-Cell Digitizer
The MAX1288EKA+ fits strain-gauge and load-cell digitizer applications because true-differential input rejects thermocouple and ground-loop noise from the bridge sensor. The internal 2.5V reference provides the bridge excitation directly, simplifying the analog front-end and reducing BOM count. With 12-bit resolution and 150 ksps throughput, the converter delivers sufficient dynamic range for typical load-cell measurement ranges. Placed between a 350-ohm strain-gauge bridge and an MCU, the MAX1288EKA+ offers SAR conversion in a SOT23-8 footprint that fits inside compact weighing-scale modules.
Recommended
Portable Instrumentation Front-End
The MAX1288EKA+ fits portable instrumentation front-ends such as handheld multimeters and oscilloscope probe interfaces because its 12-bit resolution and 150 ksps throughput capture fast signal transients while keeping power consumption below 5 mW. The SPI-compatible serial interface allows direct connection to FPGAs and microcontrollers without external logic. The internal 2.5V reference eliminates the need for a precision external reference and reduces BOM cost. Placed at the analog input of a portable instrument, the MAX1288EKA+ offers SAR conversion in a SOT23-8 footprint that fits inside handheld enclosures.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MAX1288EKA+ — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MAX1288EKA-T | MAX1287EKA+ | MAX1289EKA+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Analog Devices | Analog Devices | Analog Devices | Analog Devices |
| Package | SOT23-8 | SOT23-8 - same | SOT23-8 - same | SOT23-8 - same |
| Resolution | 12 bit | 12 bit | 12 bit | 12 bit |
| Sampling Rate | 150 ksps | 150 ksps | 225 ksps | 150 ksps |
| Input Channels | 2 SE / 1 Diff | 2 SE / 1 Diff | 2 SE / 1 Diff | 2 SE / 1 Diff |
| Supply Voltage | 2.7V to 3.6V | 2.7V to 3.6V | 2.7V to 3.6V | 2.7V to 3.6V |
| Internal Reference | 2.5V | 2.5V | 2.5V | 2.5V |
| Interface | SPI/QSPI/MICROWIRE | SPI/QSPI/MICROWIRE | SPI/QSPI/MICROWIRE | SPI/QSPI/MICROWIRE |
| AutoShutdown | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- True-differential input in SOT23-8 (vs MAX1287EKA+)
- Lower power consumption vs same-family faster ADCs (vs MAX1287EKA+ (225 ksps))
- Compact SOT23-8 footprint with internal reference (vs MAX1165BEUI+T (TSSOP package))
Design Notes
Decouple AVDD with a 0.1 µF X7R ceramic capacitor placed within 3 mm of the supply pin, and add a 10 µF bulk capacitor on the board's main 3.3V rail. The MAX1288EKA+ draws 3.3 mW at 150 ksps active and approximately 1.2 mW in AutoShutdown. Power-rail noise above 10 mVpp couples directly into the conversion result; place the analog section away from switching DC-DC converters and use a ferrite bead to isolate AVDD from digital DVDD.
Place the MAX1288EKA+ on a single-sided PCB with a dedicated ground pour under the package. Keep analog input traces short and symmetric - matching AIN+ and AIN- trace lengths within 2 mm minimizes common-mode-to-differential conversion. Route SPI traces (SCLK, DOUT, CS) away from analog input traces and avoid running them parallel for more than 5 mm. Place a 100 Ω series resistor on SCLK close to the MCU pin to dampen ringing on long SPI traces.
Do not exceed the absolute maximum analog input voltage of AVDD + 0.3V; if the sensor signal exceeds this range, add external input clamping diodes. The internal 2.5V reference cannot drive large external loads; if using REF as a system reference, buffer it with an op-amp. The AutoShutdown feature requires a specific SHDN-to-CS timing pattern - consult the datasheet timing diagrams before relying on low quiescent current. Finally, do not connect an external reference to REF before power-up; this can cause startup inrush currents that latch the part.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per manufacturer product page. '+' suffix indicates lead-free packaging. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - choose automotive-grade equivalent for vehicle applications.
