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Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated MAX1121EGK
- Part No.:
- MAX1121EGK
- Manufacturer:
- Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated
- Category:
- Analog to Digital Converters (ADC)
- Package:
- 68-VFQFN Exposed Pad
- Datasheet:
-
MAX1121EGK.pdf
- Description:
- 8-BIT, 250MSPS ADC
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:1,930
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Product details
Overview
MAX1121EGK from Maxim Integrated is an 8-bit, 250Msps analog-to-digital converter optimized for wideband IF sampling up to 500MHz, delivering 48.9dB SNR at 10MHz and 68dBc SFDR at 100MHz with only 477mW power consumption on a single 1.8V supply. It features LVDS digital outputs, on-chip track-and-hold, internal 1.23V reference, and selectable divide-by-2 clock input - enabling high-fidelity digitization in digital predistortion receivers and broadband test equipment.
For engineers reviewing the MAX1121EGK datasheet, MAX1121EGK pinout, MAX1121EGK application, or MAX1121EGK equivalent, this page delivers verified technical context, exact pin functions, real-world use cases in cellular base-station transceivers and radar subsystems, and two validated alternative ADCs with documented functional and interface differences.
Technical Context
The MAX1121EGK employs a fully differential pipelined architecture with eight stages, where each stage includes a track-and-hold, 2-bit quantizer, DAC, and residue amplifier. Its analog inputs (INP/INN) are self-biased at 1.4V common-mode voltage and accept ±0.3125V differential swing (1.25VP-P), supporting AC- or DC-coupled operation.
It integrates a duty-cycle equalizing clock management circuit that accepts 200–500mVP-P differential LVDS clock inputs and enforces 40–60% duty cycle; CLKDIV enables optional divide-by-2 output update rate, while T/B selects between two's complement or offset binary data format - both LVDS-compatible with 250–450mV differential swing and 1.125–1.310V common-mode voltage.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 8-bit - supports real-time digitization of wideband RF/IF signals without oversampling penalties. |
| Max Sampling Rate | 250Msps - enables Nyquist sampling of signals up to 125MHz or undersampling of IF tones up to 500MHz. |
| SNR @ 10MHz | 48.9dB - ensures ≥7.8 effective bits (ENOB) for high-fidelity signal capture in instrumentation and comms test gear. |
| SFDR @ 100MHz | 68dBc - suppresses spurious content sufficiently for digital predistortion linearization in LTE/WCDMA base stations. |
| Power Dissipation | 477mW at 250Msps - balances performance and thermal load in dense RF front-end PCB layouts. |
| Analog Supply | Single 1.8V (1.7–1.9V range) - simplifies power delivery and reduces noise coupling versus dual-supply ADCs. |
| Digital Interface | LVD-compatible parallel outputs (D0P/N–D7P/N, DCLKP/N, ORP/N) - provides noise-immune, low-skew timing for FPGA or ASIC interfacing. |
Pinout & Package
MAX1121EGK is housed in a 68-pin QFN package with exposed pad (EP), rated for industrial temperature range (-40°C to +85°C). The exposed pad must be soldered to AGND for thermal and electrical integrity.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| INP / INN | Differential analog input pair | Accepts ±0.3125V swing around 1.4V common-mode; self-biased via 2.2kΩ resistors; supports AC/DC coupling. |
| CLKP / CLKN | Differential LVDS clock input | Accepts 200–500mVP-P swing; internal bias at 1.25V ±0.25V; duty-cycle equalized to 40–60%. |
| D0P/N–D7P/N | LVDS parallel data outputs (LSB to MSB) | 250–450mV differential swing; 1.125–1.310V common-mode; terminated with 100Ω differential load. |
| DCLKP / DCLKN | LVD clock output pair | 2.1ns delay relative to CLKP/CLKN; used to latch external logic or synchronize FPGA capture clocks. |
| ORP / ORN | Out-of-range flag outputs | Differential pair indicating saturation beyond ±FS; ORP high/ORN low when input exceeds VCM ±0.3125V. |
| CLKDIV | LVCMOS clock divider control | Pulldown resistor onboard; logic low = output update at fCLK/2; logic high = output update at fCLK. |
| T/B | Output format select | Pulldown resistor onboard; logic low = two's complement; logic high = offset binary. |
| REFIO / REFADJ | Reference I/O and adjustment | REFIO: 1.23V bandgap output or external reference input; REFADJ: resistor-based full-scale scaling (±10% range). |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| On-chip track-and-hold + internal reference | Eliminates need for external THA or precision reference ICs, reducing BOM count and layout complexity in compact RF modules. |
| Selectable divide-by-2 clock divider | Reduces effective clock jitter impact on sampling aperture by halving output update rate - critical for phase-sensitive applications like DPD. |
| Differential LVDS outputs with data clock | Enables deterministic, low-jitter data capture in FPGAs without external clock forwarding or deskew circuitry. |
| Full-scale range adjust via REFADJ | Allows fine-tuning of input sensitivity using a single external resistor - supports calibration for varying PA output levels in transceiver chains. |
| Out-of-range detection (ORP/ORN) | Provides real-time saturation monitoring without software overhead - essential for adaptive gain control and clipping mitigation in closed-loop systems. |
Applications
| Digital Predistortion Receiver | Communications Test Equipment |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Capturing feedback signals from power amplifier output in LTE/WCDMA base station transceivers to compute real-time correction coefficients. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-speed IF sampling ADC acquiring 100–200MHz bandwidth signals at 250Msps with <0.5dB SNR flatness up to 500MHz. Use Value: Enables accurate modeling of PA nonlinearities due to 68dBc SFDR at 100MHz and stable 48.9dB SNR across IF band - directly improving ACLR by >10dB. |
Use Scenario: Digitizing wideband modulated waveforms in vector signal analyzers and arbitrary waveform generators for compliance testing. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary digitizer capturing multi-carrier OFDMA or 5G NR FR1 signals with minimal harmonic distortion and jitter-induced smearing. Use Value: Delivers 63.8dBc SFDR at 500MHz and <0.2ps RMS aperture jitter - ensuring measurement fidelity meets 3GPP conformance thresholds. |
| Radar Antenna Array Processing | Digital Oscilloscope Front-End |
Use Scenario: Simultaneous sampling of multiple receive channels in phased-array radar systems for beamforming and Doppler processing. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-power, high-SFDR ADC operating at 250Msps with deterministic latency (8 clock cycles) for time-aligned channel capture. Use Value: 477mW total dissipation allows dense channel packing; LVDS outputs simplify routing to Xilinx Zynq or Intel Stratix FPGA fabric with minimal skew. |
Use Scenario: Real-time waveform acquisition in handheld or benchtop oscilloscopes requiring >100MHz analog bandwidth and deep memory capture. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Core sampling engine providing 8-bit resolution at 250Msps with on-chip reference and clock management to reduce external component count. Use Value: Single 1.8V supply and integrated T/H eliminate need for external sample-hold amps - cutting board area by ~35% vs. legacy 10-bit solutions. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar high-speed ADC applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAX1122ETM+ | 170Msps max rate, same 8-bit resolution and 68dBc SFDR at 100MHz, but lower power (340mW); pin-compatible 68-QFN package. | Targeted at cost-optimized or thermally constrained systems where 250Msps is not required - e.g., mid-tier spectrum analyzers. | Select MAX1122ETM+ when system clocking infrastructure supports ≤170MHz sampling and thermal budget is tighter than 477mW. |
| MAX1124EGK+ | Same 250Msps rate and 68dBc SFDR, but 10-bit resolution; higher power (657mW); identical pinout and LVDS interface. | Used where ENOB > 8.5 is mandatory - e.g., high-accuracy calibration receivers or wide dynamic range test fixtures. | Choose MAX1124EGK+ only if application requires ≥9.5 effective bits and can accommodate +180mW dissipation and FPGA resource overhead for wider bus. |
Compared with MAX1122ETM+, MAX1121EGK delivers 47% higher sampling throughput at modest power cost; versus MAX1124EGK+, it trades 2-bit resolution for 27% lower power and simpler data handling - making it optimal for latency-critical, wideband IF digitization where 8-bit fidelity suffices.
Availability
MAX1121EGK is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for digital predistortion receivers, communications test equipment, radar antenna array processing, and digital oscilloscope front-ends requiring stable component supply and guaranteed long-term sourcing.
Supply support for MAX1121EGK includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.
Manufacturer
Maxim Integrated (now part of Analog Devices) designs high-performance analog and mixed-signal ICs for demanding signal-chain applications, with expertise in precision data conversion, power management, and RF solutions.
The MAX1121EGK belongs to Maxim's high-speed ADC product line, engineered specifically for wideband IF sampling in wireless infrastructure, defense radar, and automated test equipment - emphasizing dynamic performance, low jitter, and system-level integration.
FAQ
What is the maximum analog input frequency supported by the MAX1121EGK?
The MAX1121EGK maintains flat SNR performance (within 0.5dB) up to 500MHz input frequency, with full-power analog bandwidth specified at 600MHz. Its design targets undersampling of IF signals in cellular and radar systems - not baseband digitization - so usable input bandwidth extends well beyond its 250Msps Nyquist limit.
Does the MAX1121EGK require external reference components?
No - the MAX1121EGK includes an internal 1.23V bandgap reference and on-chip reference-scaling amplifier. A 0.1µF capacitor on REFIO to AGND is mandatory, but no external reference IC is needed unless custom full-scale adjustment via REFADJ resistor network is implemented.
Can the MAX1121EGK operate with a single-ended clock input?
Although the MAX1121EGK is optimized for differential LVDS clock drive (CLKP/CLKN), its clock inputs accept single-ended signals. However, dynamic performance (SFDR, SNR) degrades significantly - datasheet specifies 68dBc SFDR only with proper differential 200–500mVP-P LVDS input.
What is the latency of the MAX1121EGK from sampling to valid output data?
The MAX1121EGK has a fixed pipeline latency of 8 clock cycles from sampling event to valid D0P/N–D7P/N output. This is deterministic and independent of CLKDIV setting; timing is referenced to the rising edge of CLKP and synchronized to DCLKP/DCLKN outputs.
How is out-of-range detection implemented in the MAX1121EGK?
The MAX1121EGK uses dedicated differential outputs ORP and ORN to flag saturation: ORP goes high and ORN goes low when the analog input exceeds VCM ±0.3125V. This hardware-level alert enables immediate AGC response or clipping mitigation without CPU intervention - critical in real-time DPD loops.
MAX1121EGK Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- 68-VFQFN Exposed Pad
- Packaging:
- Bulk
- Product Status:
- Active
- Number of Bits:
- 8
- Sampling Rate (Per Second):
- 250M
- Number of Inputs:
- 1
- Input Type:
- Differential, Single Ended
- Data Interface:
- LVDS - Parallel
- Configuration:
- S/H-ADC
- Ratio - S/H:ADC:
- 1:1
- Number of A/D Converters:
- 1
- Architecture:
- Pipelined
- Reference Type:
- External, Internal
- Voltage - Supply, Analog:
- 1.7V ~ 1.9V
- Voltage - Supply, Digital:
- 1.7V ~ 1.9V
- Features:
- -
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 85°C
- Supplier Device Package:
- 68-QFN (10x10)
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
MAX1121EGK FAQ
1.How can I place an order for MAX1121EGK through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for MAX1121EGK on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.
2.Are the price and stock information for MAX1121EGK reliable?
The price and inventory of MAX1121EGK are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for MAX1121EGK is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for MAX1121EGK?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for MAX1121EGK transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for MAX1121EGK?
MAX1121EGK orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your MAX1121EGK order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.
Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.
5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for MAX1121EGK?
For technical support, including MAX1121EGK datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your MAX1121EGK requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that MAX1121EGK is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All MAX1121EGK products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that MAX1121EGK meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of MAX1121EGK?
All MAX1121EGK units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with MAX1121EGK, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:
1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.
2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.
3.The MAX1121EGK part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for MAX1121EGK:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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