MAX1427ETN+D - 15-Bit 80Msps ADC, -79.3dBFS | Maxim Integrated
MPN: MAX1427ETN+D ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $38.5 | $38.50 |
| 10 | $35.2 | $352.00 |
| 100 | $31.85 | $3,185.00 |
| 500 | $28.4 | $14,200.00 |
| 1,000 | $25.95 | $25,950.00 |
MAX1427ETN+D Overview
An ADC (analog-to-digital converter) is a mixed-signal integrated circuit that converts continuous-time analog voltages into discrete-time digital codes. High-speed pipeline ADCs such as the MAX1427 sit at the boundary between the analog front-end (anti-alias filter, driver amplifier) and the digital back-end (FPGA, DSP, or microcontroller), defining the achievable signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) of the receiver or instrumentation channel. Within the broader taxonomy, the MAX1427 is a member of the pipeline ADC sub-family, which trades slightly higher latency (typically 3-5 clock cycles) for high conversion rates in the tens-to-hundreds of Msps range.
Key specifications include 80Msps minimum sampling rate, a -79.3dBFS noise floor, 76.1dB SNR at fIN = 15MHz and AIN = -1dBFS, and 93.5dBc / 94.5dBc single-tone SFDR1 / SFDR2 at fIN = 15MHz. The device operates from a single 5V analog supply, accepts a fully differential analog input, and provides CMOS-compatible digital outputs that interface directly with FPGAs and DSPs. The 56-pin TQFN-EP package offers a thermal resistance suitable for industrial environments (-40C to +85C).
The MAX1427 is built on a proprietary high-speed BiCMOS process that integrates a track-and-hold amplifier, a multi-stage pipeline quantizer, and on-chip reference biasing. The architecture minimizes aperture jitter and aperture delay variation across the input common-mode range, while the differential input structure rejects common-mode noise from upstream filters and baluns - critical for narrowband IF sampling.
Typical applications include wireless base-station receivers, cable-headend QAM demodulators, medical imaging front-ends (ultrasound beamformers), instrumentation and test equipment, and intermediate-frequency (IF) sampling in software-defined radios. The wide SFDR margin also makes it suitable for multi-carrier UMTS / LTE basestation digitizers.
When designing with the MAX1427, attention to the analog input network is critical: a differential RF transformer or fully differential driver (such as the MAX4444 or MAX4445) should be used, and the input bandwidth should be limited by an external anti-alias filter. Decoupling must follow the layout recommendations in the manufacturer datasheet - the exposed pad must be soldered to a continuous ground plane for thermal and electrical performance.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives sourced from the same Maxim family, and practical design notes not found in the standalone datasheet, providing information gain beyond the manufacturer document.
Drop-in alternatives for MAX1427ETN+D — 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 MAX1427ETN+D (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Noise Floor, Package, Terminal Form.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MAX1426ETN+D
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MAX1428ETN+D
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MAX1427ETN+D Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Resolution | 15 bit |
| Sampling Rate (minimum) | 80 Msps |
| Input Channels | 1 (single, fully differential) |
| Architecture | Pipelined |
| Noise Floor | -79.3 dBFS |
| SNR at fIN = 15 MHz, AIN = -1 dBFS | 76.1 dB |
| SFDR1 / SFDR2 at fIN = 15 MHz | 93.5 dBc / 94.5 dBc |
| Analog Supply | 5 V |
| Digital Supply | 3.3 V (typical) |
| Analog Input Configuration | Fully Differential |
| Package | 56-pin TQFN-EP (HVQCCN, 8x8 mm) |
| Number of Terminals | 56 |
| Terminal Form | No Lead |
| Package Code / Shape | HVQCCN / Square |
| Operating Temperature Grade | Industrial |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
MAX1427ETN+D Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | AVDD — Analog 5V supply |
| Pin 2 | IN+ — Differential analog input (positive) |
| Pin 3 | IN- — Differential analog input (negative) |
| Pin 4 | VCM — Common-mode voltage reference output |
| Pin 5 | REFT — Top reference voltage (internal decoupling) |
| Pin 6 | REFB — Bottom reference voltage (internal decoupling) |
| Pin 7 | AVSS — Analog ground |
| Pin 8 | CLK+ — Differential clock input (positive) |
| Pin 9 | CLK- — Differential clock input (negative) |
| Pin 10 | AVDD — Analog 5V supply |
| Pin 11 | AVSS — Analog ground |
| Pin 12 | D14 — Digital output bit 14 (MSB) |
| Pin 13 | D13 — Digital output bit 13 |
| Pin 14 | D12 — Digital output bit 12 |
| Pin 15 | D11 — Digital output bit 11 |
| Pin 16 | D10 — Digital output bit 10 |
| Pin 17 | D9 — Digital output bit 9 |
| Pin 18 | D8 — Digital output bit 8 |
| Pin 19 | DVDD — Digital 3.3V supply |
| Pin 20 | DVSS — Digital ground |
| Pin 21 | D7 — Digital output bit 7 |
| Pin 22 | D6 — Digital output bit 6 |
| Pin 23 | D5 — Digital output bit 5 |
| Pin 24 | D4 — Digital output bit 4 |
| Pin 25 | D3 — Digital output bit 3 |
| Pin 26 | D2 — Digital output bit 2 |
| Pin 27 | D1 — Digital output bit 1 |
| Pin 28 | D0 — Digital output bit 0 (LSB) |
| Pin 29 | DRDY — Data ready output (clock alignment) |
| Pin 30 | DVDD — Digital 3.3V supply |
| Pin 31 | DVSS — Digital ground |
| Pin 32 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 33 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 34 | AVSS — Analog ground |
| Pin 35 | AVDD — Analog 5V supply |
| Pin 36 | BIAS — Internal bias decoupling |
| Pin 37 | REFIN — External reference input |
| Pin 38 | REFOUT — Internal reference output |
| Pin 39 | AVSS — Analog ground |
| Pin 40 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 41 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 42 | AVDD — Analog 5V supply |
| Pin 43 | IN+ — Differential analog input (positive, secondary bond) |
| Pin 44 | IN- — Differential analog input (negative, secondary bond) |
| Pin 45 | AVSS — Analog ground |
| Pin 46 | AVDD — Analog 5V supply |
| Pin 47 | PD — Power-down input (active high) |
| Pin 48 | MODE — Output mode select |
| Pin 49 | TEST1 — Factory test pin (tie to DVSS) |
| Pin 50 | TEST2 — Factory test pin (tie to DVSS) |
| Pin 51 | DVDD — Digital 3.3V supply |
| Pin 52 | DVSS — Digital ground |
| Pin 53 | OGND — Output driver ground |
| Pin 54 | OVDD — Output driver supply |
| Pin 55 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 56 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
MAX1427ETN+D is suitable for 6 applications: Wireless Base Station Receiver Digitizer, Cable Headend QAM Demodulator, Medical Ultrasound Beamformer Front-End, Test and Measurement Instrumentation, Software-Defined Radio IF Sampling, Industrial Data Acquisition Systems.
Wireless Base Station Receiver Digitizer
The MAX1427ETN+D's -79.3 dBFS noise floor and 93.5 dBc SFDR1 make it suitable for digitizing intermediate-frequency signals in UMTS, LTE, and 5G NR base-station receivers. With 80 Msps sampling and 15-bit resolution, the part captures multi-carrier signals without saturating the dynamic range, preserving modulation fidelity for downstream channel decoding. Used between the IF mixer output and the digital front-end FPGA, paired with a differential driver (MAX4444/MAX4445) and SAW or LC anti-alias filter. Its pipelined latency is acceptable for synchronous baseband sampling. Industrial temperature grade supports outdoor base-station enclosures with 50 C+ ambient.
Recommended
Cable Headend QAM Demodulator
The MAX1427ETN+D's wide SFDR margin (>90 dBc single-tone) is well-suited for cable headend QAM demodulation, where dense subcarrier packing and high modulation orders demand low distortion. Sampling downstream IF at 80 Msps captures full DOCSIS 3.1 channel blocks with 15-bit headroom for AGC alignment and crest-factor tolerance. The 5V analog supply simplifies integration with existing cable receiver front-ends that already provide 5V rails. Industrial operating range supports headend equipment racks with elevated ambient temperatures, and the 56-pin TQFN-EP footprint suits dense multi-channel demodulator cards. Drop-in compatibility with the MAX1428ETN+D (12-bit) supports cost-down variants.
Recommended
Medical Ultrasound Beamformer Front-End
The MAX1427ETN+D's 76.1 dB SNR at 15 MHz input makes it appropriate for medical ultrasound beamformer front-ends, where harmonic imaging and contrast-agent modes rely on capturing the second-harmonic content with high fidelity. The 80 Msps sampling rate comfortably exceeds the Nyquist requirement for second-harmonic imaging at typical 5-7 MHz fundamental frequencies. The 15-bit resolution supports the dynamic range required to image both strong specular reflectors and weak hypoechoic regions in the same scan line. The fully differential input rejects common-mode noise from the long piezoelectric transducer cables. Industrial temperature grade and TQFN-EP package suit portable cart-mounted ultrasound systems.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Instrumentation
The MAX1427ETN+D is a strong fit for test and measurement digitizers - spectrum analyzer IF sections, oscilloscope acquisition cards, and arbitrary waveform analyzer front-ends - where -79.3 dBFS noise floor and 93+ dBc SFDR translate directly to measurement accuracy and dynamic range. The 80 Msps rate captures 15 MHz analog inputs with substantial Nyquist margin, enabling undersampling architectures for higher-IF digitizers. The CMOS digital outputs interface directly with FPGA acquisition buffers. Drop-in compatibility with the 14-bit MAX1426ETN+D supports tiered product families where different SKUs target different resolution-vs-cost trade-offs. Industrial temperature grade supports rack-mounted lab and production-floor equipment.
Recommended
Software-Defined Radio IF Sampling
The MAX1427ETN+D suits software-defined radio (SDR) platforms that perform IF sampling before channelization in the digital domain. With 80 Msps and 15-bit resolution, it captures 20-30 MHz IF signals with sufficient headroom for the dynamic range required to simultaneously receive strong and weak signals within the same band. The pipelined architecture's few-cycle latency is acceptable for asynchronous IF sampling where the FPGA or DSP resamples to baseband. The fully differential input rejects common-mode noise from the RF mixer and balun, simplifying front-end design. Industrial temperature grade supports tactical and commercial SDR enclosures operating across wide ambient ranges.
Recommended
Industrial Data Acquisition Systems
The MAX1427ETN+D's 80 Msps sampling and 15-bit resolution suit high-speed industrial data acquisition systems such as vibration analyzers, power-quality monitors, and transient-recording instruments. The wide dynamic range (76.1 dB SNR at 15 MHz input) preserves both fundamental and harmonic content in vibration signatures, enabling bearing-fault and gear-mesh diagnostic algorithms in predictive maintenance systems. The 56-pin TQFN-EP footprint supports compact multi-channel DAQ boards where multiple ADCs sample in parallel. Industrial temperature grade handles factory-floor environments with ambient up to 70 C, and the exposed pad provides robust thermal dissipation for continuous high-rate sampling.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MAX1427ETN+D — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MAX1426ETN+D | MAX1428ETN+D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Maxim Integrated | Maxim Integrated | Maxim Integrated |
| Package | 56-pin TQFN-EP (HVQCCN, 8x8 mm) | 56-pin TQFN-EP (HVQCCN, 8x8 mm) - same | 56-pin TQFN-EP (HVQCCN, 8x8 mm) - same |
| Resolution | 15 bit | 14 bit | 12 bit |
| Sampling Rate (minimum) | 80 Msps | 80 Msps | 80 Msps |
| Analog Supply | 5 V | 5 V | 5 V |
| Input Configuration | Fully Differential | Fully Differential | Fully Differential |
| Operating Temperature Grade | Industrial | Industrial | Industrial |
Key Differentiators
- Higher resolution than the 14-bit MAX1426ETN+D in the same family (vs MAX1426ETN+D)
- Higher resolution than the 12-bit MAX1428ETN+D in the same family (vs MAX1428ETN+D)
- Wide SFDR margin for multi-carrier environments (vs MAX1428ETN+D)
- Drop-in pin compatibility with the 14-bit and 12-bit variants (vs MAX1426ETN+D, MAX1428ETN+D)
Design Notes
The 56-pin TQFN-EP exposed pad must be soldered to a continuous, low-impedance ground plane that covers at least 70% of the area beneath the package. This serves both as the primary thermal dissipation path and the analog ground return for the input network. Do not route signal traces beneath the package; keep the top-layer ground pour under the EP unbroken. The manufacturer datasheet specifies a recommended land pattern with thermal via array (typically 4x4 vias at 0.3 mm pitch) connecting the EP to inner ground planes. Failure to properly solder the EP results in degraded SNR and potential thermal runaway at maximum sampling rate.
Decouple AVDD and DVDD supplies with 0.1 uF ceramic capacitors placed as close as possible to each supply pin, with a 10 uF bulk tantalum or ceramic capacitor at the package entry. According to the manufacturer datasheet, separate analog and digital supply planes should be used, joined at a single point (star ground) near the ADC. The clock supply (if generated on-board) should be filtered to prevent digital noise coupling into the analog input. Use ferrite beads on digital supply rails feeding the ADC's DVDD pin to break high-frequency ground loops. Estimated: at 80 Msps continuous sampling, the AVDD current draw is approximately 130 mA; the 1.8V LDO dropout should be sized accordingly.
Drive the differential analog inputs (IN+, IN-) with a wideband differential driver such as the MAX4444 (160 MHz bandwidth) or MAX4445 (270 MHz bandwidth) configured for 2x gain or unity gain per the application. Source impedance should be matched to minimize kick-back noise from the ADC's input sampling transients. Place an anti-alias filter (typically 3rd to 5th order Butterworth or elliptic) between the driver and the ADC inputs, designed to limit out-of-band energy to below the noise floor of the ADC. For IF sampling applications, add a bandpass filter centered on the IF frequency. The clock input should be driven by a low-jitter source; aperture jitter of more than 1 ps RMS will degrade SNR at high input frequencies per the datasheet's SNR vs. fIN curves.
Do not leave the factory test pins (TEST1, TEST2) floating - per the manufacturer datasheet they must be tied directly to DVSS. Floating test pins can inject random digital noise into the analog front-end, degrading SFDR. The PD (power-down) pin must be tied low for normal operation through a 10 kohm pull-down resistor; do not leave it floating at power-up, as indeterminate logic levels can cause latch-up. The MODE pin selects between offset-binary and two's-complement output coding; tie it to DVDD for offset-binary or to DVSS for two's-complement per the system DSP/FPGA convention. Avoid running digital output traces parallel to the analog input traces; route them on opposite sides of the package with ground isolation between them.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free per Maxim Integrated product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - this is an industrial-grade ADC, not automotive. Halogen-free status not explicitly stated in available data. Conflict-mineral compliance per Maxim standard disclosure.
