MAX152CWP - 8-Bit 400ksps ADC | 20-SOIC | Maxim Integrated
MPN: MAX152CWP ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $6.5 | $6.50 |
| 10 | $5.85 | $58.50 |
| 100 | $5.2 | $520.00 |
| 500 | $4.6 | $2,300.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.05 | $4,050.00 |
MAX152CWP Overview
What is an ADC? An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is a semiconductor device that converts continuous analog voltage signals into discrete digital codes for processing by microprocessors and digital systems. ADCs sit at the boundary between the analog physical world and the digital computational domain. Resolution (in bits) and sample rate (in samples per second) define ADC performance; higher bits yield finer voltage steps, while higher sample rates capture faster-changing signals. Half-flash ADCs (like the MAX152) use two parallel flash stages to deliver sub-2µs conversion while keeping die area and power much lower than full-flash designs. The MAX152 sits in the hierarchy: ADC -> data converter -> signal chain IC -> mixed-signal semiconductor.
Key features include 1µA power-down current for battery-powered designs, single +3V supply operation (2.7V to 3.6V), internal track-and-hold eliminating external sample-and-hold circuitry, 1.8µs conversion time, 900ns wake-up from power-down, 1.5mA active operating current, microprocessor-compatible parallel interface, and 8 analog input channels with an analog multiplexer front-end. The device supports both ratiometric and absolute voltage measurement modes.
Architecturally, the MAX152CWP employs a half-flash (or sub-ranging flash) conversion technique: two 4-bit flash stages plus a dedicated DAC perform a coarse-then-fine conversion in a single clock cycle. This approach halves the comparator count versus a true 8-bit flash ADC, reducing both die area and dynamic power. The internal 2.5V bandgap reference supports both ratiometric measurements (where VREF = VCC) and absolute voltage conversions when paired with an external low-drift reference.
Typical applications include portable battery-powered data loggers, pen-tablet digitizers, touch-screen controllers, and handheld instrumentation including digital multimeters and patient monitors. Designers select the MAX152 for low-power ADC conversion in +3V systems where 8-bit resolution is sufficient and where 400ksps throughput enables real-time signal acquisition.
Design consideration: the MAX152CWP draws only 1µA in power-down, but the internal reference settles over approximately 900ns after wake-up. Designers must wait for this reference-settling window before initiating the first conversion after exiting shutdown. Connecting an external 2.5V reference rather than ratiometric mode further extends wake-up timing and may require additional wait states in the microcontroller's read cycle.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing (DigiKey, Mouser, Octopart), pin-compatible drop-in alternatives verified against the same SOIC-20 footprint, application companion MPNs, and practical design notes — information not consolidated in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for MAX152CWP — 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 MAX152CWP (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Resolution, Mounting Type, Number of Channels, Operating Temperature Range, Package.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MAX152CWP+
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MAX150AEWP+T
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$5.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →MAX155ACWP+
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MAX154BCWP+
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MAX152CWP Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Resolution | 8 bits |
| Number of Input Channels | 1 (single-ended analog input; internal 8:1 multiplexer available on related parts) |
| Conversion Architecture | Half-flash (sub-ranging flash) |
| Conversion Time | 1.8 us |
| Throughput / Sample Rate | 400 ksps |
| Input Voltage Range | 0 V to VREF |
| Supply Voltage (Single Supply) | +2.7 V to +3.6 V (+3V nominal) |
| Operating Current (Active) | 1.5 mA typical |
| Power-Down Current | 1 uA typical |
| Wake-Up Time from Power-Down | 900 ns |
| Full-Power Analog Input Bandwidth | 300 kHz |
| Internal Track/Hold | Yes (integrated) |
| Reference Voltage | Internal or external (ratiometric mode available, VREF = VCC) |
| Interface | Microprocessor-compatible parallel (8-bit data bus) |
| Package | 20-pin SOIC wide-body (WP), 7.5 mm body width |
| Operating Temperature Range | 0C to +70C (commercial) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
MAX152CWP Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VCC — Positive supply input (3V nominal, 2.7V-3.6V range) |
| Pin 2 | AGND — Analog ground reference |
| Pin 3 | DGND — Digital ground reference |
| Pin 4 | VREF — Reference voltage input (ratiometric: tie to VCC) |
| Pin 5 | AIN — Analog input channel |
| Pin 6 | CS — Chip select (active-low) |
| Pin 7 | RD — Read strobe (active-low) |
| Pin 8 | WR — Write / convert start (active-low) |
| Pin 9 | INT — Conversion end interrupt (active-low) |
| Pin 10 | D0 — Data bit 0 (LSB) |
| Pin 11 | D1 — Data bit 1 |
| Pin 12 | D2 — Data bit 2 |
| Pin 13 | D3 — Data bit 3 |
| Pin 14 | D4 — Data bit 4 |
| Pin 15 | D5 — Data bit 5 |
| Pin 16 | D6 — Data bit 6 |
| Pin 17 | D7 — Data bit 7 (MSB) |
| Pin 18 | PWRDN — Power-down control input (active-high) |
| Pin 19 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 20 | VCC — Positive supply input (duplicate pin) |
Typical Applications
MAX152CWP is suitable for 6 applications: Portable Battery-Powered Data Loggers, Pen-Tablet and Touchscreen Digitizers, Handheld Digital Multimeters, Patient Monitoring Devices, Industrial Process Control Sensor Readout, Audio Metering and LED Bar-Graph Displays.
Portable Battery-Powered Data Loggers
The MAX152CWP suits handheld multi-channel data loggers powered by a single lithium coin cell. With a 1µA power-down current versus 1.5mA active, and a 900ns wake-up from shutdown, the part naturally duty-cycles between samples and idle to extend battery life into the multi-year range. Designers can sleep the converter 99% of the time and burst-acquire sensor data at 400ksps when awake. The 8-bit resolution (19.5 mV LSB at a 5V reference) is sufficient for slow-changing sensor channels (temperature, pressure, battery voltage) where high dynamic range is not required.
Recommended
Pen-Tablet and Touchscreen Digitizers
The MAX152CWP's 400ksps sample rate and 300kHz analog input bandwidth are ideal for digitizing pen-position signals from resistive touchscreens and graphics tablets. The internal track/hold eliminates the need for an external sample-and-hold amplifier, reducing BOM cost and PCB area. The half-flash architecture delivers deterministic 1.8µs conversion latency, critical for accurate pen-tracking at high stylus velocities where latency degrades user experience. Operating from a single +3V rail directly aligns with pen-tablet battery architectures.
Recommended
Handheld Digital Multimeters
The MAX152CWP fits portable handheld digital multimeter (DMM) designs requiring 8-bit resolution for voltage, current, and resistance measurements. The 1.5mA active and 1µA power-down currents align with DMM battery-life targets (AAA cells targeted for 1000+ hours of use). Combined with a Maxim/Analog Devices display driver, the part forms a low-power mixed-signal front-end. Designers can use the MAX152's parallel interface to push samples to a microcontroller at 400ksps for post-processing RMS and peak detection.
Recommended
Patient Monitoring Devices
For portable patient monitoring hardware (pulse oximeters, glucose meters, ambulatory ECG front-ends), the MAX152CWP offers ultra-low 1µA power-down operation critical for multi-day or multi-week battery life. The 400ksps throughput handles pulse-oximetry waveform digitization and glucose-meter sensor readouts comfortably. The 8-bit resolution suits binary alarm decisions and direct ADC-threshold comparisons. The SOIC-20 wide-body package allows handheld designers to use proven surface-mount assembly lines without QFN/BGA handling complexity.
Recommended
Industrial Process Control Sensor Readout
Industrial 4-20mA loop-powered sensor interfaces and remote telemetry units (RTUs) benefit from the MAX152CWP's low-current operation and +3V single-supply architecture. The 1.5mA active current draw keeps the design below the 3.5mA minimum operating current budget commonly required by 4-20mA HART transmitters at the low end of the loop. The internal multiplexer front-end supports multiple sensor channels via the AIN pin paired with external analog switches, allowing 8-channel scanning with a single MAX152 part.
Recommended
Audio Metering and LED Bar-Graph Displays
Audio level meters and VU/peak LED bar-graph displays use the MAX152CWP as a low-cost front-end digitiser feeding a microcontroller running level-detection and peak-hold firmware. The 300kHz full-power analog bandwidth comfortably captures audio envelope fluctuations for VU-style metering. At 400ksps sample rate, the part follows fast transients without aliasing audible-band envelope changes. Operating from +3V aligns with audio DAC and Bluetooth-module rails commonly found in consumer and prosumer audio gear.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MAX152CWP — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MAX152CWP+ | MAX150AEWP+T | MAX155ACWP+ | MAX154BCWP+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Maxim Integrated | Maxim Integrated | Maxim Integrated | Maxim Integrated | Maxim Integrated |
| Package | 20-SOIC wide body (WP) | 20-SOIC wide body (WP) - same | 20-SOIC wide body (WP) - same | 20-SOIC wide body (WP) - same | 20-SOIC wide body (WP) - same |
| Resolution | 8 bits | 8 bits | 10 bits | 8 bits | 8 bits |
| Conversion Architecture | Half-flash | Half-flash | SAR | Half-flash | Half-flash |
| Supply Voltage | 2.7V to 3.6V | 2.7V to 3.6V | 2.7V to 5.25V | 2.7V to 3.6V | 2.7V to 3.6V |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest power-down current in its class at the time of release (vs MAX155ACWP+)
- Half-flash architecture for fast 1.8µs conversion (vs MAX150AEWP+T)
- Single +3V supply eliminates negative rail (vs Earlier legacy 8-bit ADCs that required +5V and -5V)
Design Notes
Estimated: at 5V analog input full-scale and +3V supply operation, the MAX152CWP draws 1.5mA continuously in active mode. For battery-powered designs, duty-cycle the converter aggressively: spend 99% of the time in 1µA power-down and 1% awake at 1.5mA, yielding an average of about 16µA. Most microcontrollers can complete a sample-read-store cycle well under 1ms at 400ksps when running from a buffered FIFO; this minimizes the active time per sample.
Decouple VCC (pins 1 and 20) with a 10µF bulk tantalum or ceramic and a 0.1µF high-frequency ceramic placed within 5mm of the supply pin. Keep the analog ground (AGND, pin 2) and digital ground (DGND, pin 3) tied to a single low-impedance ground plane with a star ground point near the package; do not route noisy digital signals across the analog ground return path. Place the VREF bypass capacitor (typically 0.1µF ceramic) directly at the VREF pin with a short trace to AGND.
The MAX152 requires 900ns wake-up from power-down before initiating conversion. Designers must insert a software delay after exiting PWRDN before the first WR strobe, otherwise the first conversion may return an erroneous result. When using ratiometric mode (VREF tied to VCC), the conversion is ratiometric to VCC - any supply noise couples into the digital output. For absolute-voltage precision applications, use an external low-drift 2.5V reference such as MAX6160.
Compliance Information
Original MAX152CWP (no '+' suffix) used lead-bearing finish. For RoHS-compliant designs choose MAX152CWP+ (lead-free). AEC-Q100 is not applicable to the commercial-temperature (0C to +70C) MAX152CWP.
