MAX176AEPA - 12-Bit 250ksps SAR ADC with Reference | PDIP-8
MPN: MAX176AEPA ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $30.97 | $30.97 |
| 10 | $28.4 | $284.00 |
| 100 | $25.1 | $2,510.00 |
| 500 | $22.5 | $11,250.00 |
| 1,000 | $20.2 | $20,200.00 |
MAX176AEPA Overview
An ADC (analog-to-digital converter) is a mixed-signal integrated circuit that converts a continuous analog voltage at its input into a discrete digital code at its output. Within the broader taxonomy, an ADC belongs to data conversion ICs, which sit under mixed-signal ICs and ultimately the semiconductor family. Successive-approximation-register (SAR) ADCs such as the MAX176 use an iterative binary-search algorithm combined with an internal DAC, achieving an excellent trade-off between speed, resolution, and power consumption. The MAX176 specifically integrates a track/hold front-end and a precision reference on-chip, removing the need for an external reference or sample-and-hold circuit.
Key specifications include 12-bit resolution (no missing codes), 250 ksps throughput, ±0.5 LSB integral nonlinearityity (INL, max), ±1 LSB differential nonlinearityity (DNL, max), 1.5 µs track/hold acquisition time, 3.5 µs conversion time, and a true bipolar ±5 V or 0–5 V analog input range. The on-chip buried-zener reference provides a low 5 ppm/°C typical temperature drift, eliminating external reference drift in instrumentation designs. The serial interface supports an external clock up to the full conversion rate, enabling easy interface to SPI, QSPI, and MICROWIRE-compatible microcontrollers without glue logic.
Typical applications include high-speed data logging, pen-digitizers and digitizing oscilloscopes, industrial process control, sonar/audio signal processing, and battery-powered or remote-sensor instrumentation. Its 4 mA operating current and small 8-pin DIP footprint suit designs where board area and supply drain both matter.
When designing with this part, place 0.1 µF ceramic bypass capacitors as close as possible to the supply pin and use a clean analog ground to avoid digital switching noise coupling into the analog input. For systems that already use a higher-resolution SAR ADC, the MAX176 remains a reliable workhorse for legacy and industrial designs.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in pin-compatible alternatives, application guidance and design notes not found in the bare datasheet, including comparisons against the MAX176BCPA+ and MAX176BEPA+ variants.
Drop-in alternatives for MAX176AEPA — 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 MAX176AEPA (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, RoHS Status, Conversion Time, Operating Temperature Range, Input Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MAX176BEPA+
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MAX176BCPA+
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MAX174AEPI
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$17.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →MAX174BEPI
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$8.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →MAX170CCPA
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →MAX176AEPA Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Resolution | 12 bit |
| Sampling Rate | 250 ksps |
| Architecture | SAR (Successive Approximation) |
| Number of Channels | 1 |
| Input Type | Single-Ended |
| Data Interface | SPI / QSPI / MICROWIRE-compatible serial |
| Reference Type | Internal buried-zener |
| Supply Voltage | +5 V (single) |
| Operating Current | 4 mA typical |
| Track/Hold Acquisition Time | 1.5 us max |
| Conversion Time | 3.5 us |
| Analog Input Range | 0 to +5 V or ±5 V (with input scaling) |
| Package | PDIP-8 (8-pin plastic DIP) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (E temp grade) |
MAX176AEPA Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — +5V analog supply |
| Pin 2 | AIN — Analog input |
| Pin 3 | GND — Analog ground |
| Pin 4 | REF — Reference bypass (internal buried-zener) |
| Pin 5 | SSTRB — Conversion status output (active low) |
| Pin 6 | DOUT — Serial data output |
| Pin 7 | CS — Chip select (active low) |
| Pin 8 | CLK — External serial clock input |
Typical Applications
MAX176AEPA is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Process Control and 4-20 mA Loop Digitizing, High-Speed Data Logging and Pen Digitizer Systems, Audio Band and Sonar Signal Processing, Remote Sensor and Battery-Powered Instrumentation, Digitizing Oscilloscope Front-End Channel, Weigh Scale and Strain-Gauge Digitizing.
Industrial Process Control and 4-20 mA Loop Digitizing
The MAX176AEPA's 12-bit resolution and 250 ksps throughput, combined with its -40C to +85C industrial temperature grade and integrated buried-zener reference, make it a strong fit for digitizing industrial process-control signals. Engineers typically place it after a 4–20 mA current-loop receiver or a resistive temperature detector (RTD) bridge amplifier; the on-chip reference removes drift concerns that otherwise plague 12-bit systems across factory-floor temperature swings. Per the Maxim datasheet, the 5 ppm/°C typical reference drift keeps absolute accuracy stable without external reference compensation. Compared to a switching front-end, the SAR architecture adds no switching noise to the analog input. The 3.5 µs conversion time allows several channels to be scanned per millisecond when paired with an external MUX, supporting multi-loop PLC designs.
Recommended
High-Speed Data Logging and Pen Digitizer Systems
The MAX176AEPA's 250 ksps throughput and 1.5 µs track/hold acquisition time suit pen-digitizer and high-speed data-logging front-ends where mechanical or analog signals must be sampled with minimal aperture-time error. Designers connect the AIN pin directly to the sensor amplifier output, while the serial SPI/QSPI interface streams conversion results to a microcontroller for storage or transmission. According to the Maxim datasheet, the 12-bit no-missing-codes performance preserves waveform fidelity across the full ±5 V input range, and the 4 mA typical supply current suits portable, battery-powered loggers. The 8-pin PDIP footprint keeps analog and digital grounds cleanly separated, which is critical at 250 ksps to avoid digital-to-analog coupling.
Recommended
Audio Band and Sonar Signal Processing
The MAX176AEPA's 250 ksps sampling rate exceeds the Nyquist requirement for the full 20 Hz–20 kHz audio band with substantial oversampling headroom, and the 12-bit resolution provides ~72 dB dynamic range suitable for sonar returns and instrumentation-grade audio capture. Engineers route the conditioned microphone or hydrophone signal into AIN, while the internal track/hold accurately captures fast transient peaks that would otherwise alias with slower sample-and-hold designs. Per the Maxim datasheet, the SAR architecture's deterministic latency simplifies DSP synchronization versus delta-sigma alternatives. The single +5 V supply and 4 mA current suit portable underwater or field-audio units.
Recommended
Remote Sensor and Battery-Powered Instrumentation
The MAX176AEPA's 4 mA typical operating current and small 8-pin PDIP footprint suit remote, battery-powered instrumentation where every milliamp matters. Designers pair it with low-power op-amps and a sleep-mode microcontroller; the MAX176 can be duty-cycled by gating its +5 V supply via a low-leakage LDO, drastically extending battery life in wireless sensor nodes. According to the Maxim datasheet, the integrated track/hold and reference remove the need for additional active components that would otherwise drain the battery. The industrial temperature grade supports outdoor or unattended deployments. Compared to higher-resolution ADCs, the 12-bit SAR uses far less power while still meeting most field-instrument accuracy targets.
Recommended
Digitizing Oscilloscope Front-End Channel
The MAX176AEPA's 250 ksps rate and 12-bit resolution make it a viable front-end for low-bandwidth digitizing oscilloscopes, chart recorders, and vibration analyzers where full 1 Gsps is not required. Engineers commonly use it as a per-channel digitizer for parallel acquisition architectures, taking advantage of its small footprint to place one ADC per input channel rather than multiplexing a single fast ADC. Per Maxim application guidance, the serial data interface allows each channel's results to be clocked out independently, simplifying FPGA or DSP fan-in. The internal buried-zener reference provides the absolute voltage accuracy needed for calibrated measurements.
Recommended
Weigh Scale and Strain-Gauge Digitizing
The MAX176AEPA's 12-bit resolution, integrated low-drift reference, and 250 ksps throughput suit weigh-scale and strain-gauge digitizing, where load-cell bridge outputs must be measured with high absolute accuracy. Designers place a low-noise instrumentation amplifier (such as the MAX4196) ahead of the AIN pin, while the MAX176's internal reference anchors the ADC's full-scale to within 5 ppm/°C, eliminating ratiometric drift across factory temperature profiles. According to Maxim datasheet, the SAR architecture's zero-latency conversion simplifies the tare/calibration sequence versus delta-sigma alternatives. The 8-pin PDIP footprint allows through-hole assembly for rugged industrial scales.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MAX176AEPA — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MAX176BEPA+ | MAX176BCPA+ | MAX174AEPI | MAX174BEPI | MAX170CCPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Maxim Integrated | Maxim Integrated | Maxim Integrated | Maxim Integrated | Maxim Integrated | Maxim Integrated |
| Package | PDIP-8 | PDIP-8 - same | PDIP-8 - same | PDIP-8 - same | PDIP-8 - same | PDIP-8 - same |
| Resolution | 12 bit | 12 bit | 12 bit | 12 bit | 12 bit | 12 bit |
| Architecture | SAR | SAR | SAR | SAR | SAR | SAR |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (E grade) | 0C to +70C (B grade) | 0C to +70C (C grade) | -40C to +85C (E grade) | 0C to +70C (B grade) | 0C to +70C (C grade) |
| Internal Reference | Yes (buried-zener) | Yes (buried-zener) | Yes (buried-zener) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Serial Interface | SPI/QSPI/MICROWIRE | SPI/QSPI/MICROWIRE | SPI/QSPI/MICROWIRE | Serial | Serial | Serial |
Key Differentiators
- Industrial -40C to +85C temperature grade in PDIP-8 (vs MAX176BCPA+)
- Full 250 ksps throughput vs 125 ksps in MAX174 family (vs MAX174AEPI)
- Integrated buried-zener reference on-chip (vs MAX170CCPA)
Design Notes
Place a 0.1 µF ceramic bypass capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 1) of the MAX176AEPA, with the ground lead returned to a low-impedance analog ground plane. Per Maxim application guidance, separate analog and digital ground returns and join them at a single point near the ADC ground pin to prevent digital switching currents from corrupтing the analog input. Keep the AIN trace short and guarded by ground pour to minimize pickup.
Do not drive the AIN pin beyond the supply rails (0V to VDD); the input is not fault-protected and over-voltage can latch up the device. Always use the SSTRB output (pin 5) or a fixed-delay timer to gate DOUT reads - polling DOUT directly without waiting for conversion completion will produce erroneous data. When operating from a noisy digital supply, add a ferrite bead or pi-filter in series with VDD to keep ADC noise floor under 1 LSB.
When using the MAX176AEPA at full 250 ksps throughput, ensure the CLK signal driving pin 8 is clean and monotonic - jitter on the serial clock directly translates to aperture-time uncertainty in the conversion. Source-terminate the CLK line if it exceeds 50 mm of trace, and keep the DOUT trace away from the AIN and CLK traces to avoid coupling. For multi-ADC synchronized sampling, route CLK from a single low-jitter buffer to all MAX176 devices.
Compliance Information
MAX176AEPA is a legacy Maxim part; '+' suffixed variants (MAX176BEPA+) are RoHS-compliant. Non-'+' variants may contain lead - verify with manufacturer. AEC-Q100 not applicable for industrial-temp ADC; automotive designs should use MAX176AEPA+ or Q-graded equivalents if available.
