Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated MAX1236KEUA

Overview

The MAX1236KEUA from Maxim Integrated is a low-power, 12-bit, 4-channel analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with integrated track/hold, 4.096V internal reference, I²C-compatible 2-wire serial interface, and operation from 4.5V to 5.5V supply. It delivers 94.4ksps throughput, ±1 LSB INL, and consumes only 670µA at max rate-enabling precision data acquisition in space-constrained, battery-sensitive industrial sensor nodes and portable instrumentation.

For engineers reviewing the MAX1236KEUA datasheet, MAX1236KEUA pinout, MAX1236KEUA application, or MAX1236KEUA equivalent, key selection considerations include its 8-pin µMAX package, software-configurable unipolar/bipolar and single-ended/differential input modes, AutoShutdown™ power management, and guaranteed operation across –40°C to +85°C for embedded monitoring systems requiring stable, low-drift conversion performance.

Technical Context

The MAX1236KEUA employs successive-approximation architecture with fully differential track/hold circuitry and an internal 2.8MHz oscillator. Its analog front-end supports four single-ended or two fully differential inputs, configurable via setup and configuration registers over I²C.

It operates exclusively in Fast Mode (400kHz) or High-Speed Mode (1.7MHz) I²C, with slave address 0110000b. Conversion timing is synchronized to either internal clock or external SCL, with aperture delay as low as 30ns in HS-mode-enabling accurate sampling of transient signals up to 5MHz bandwidth.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

The MAX1236KEUA is housed in an 8-pin µMAX® package (2.1mm × 2.1mm, 0.5mm pitch), optimized for high-density PCB layouts in handheld and IoT edge devices.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar 12-bit multichannel ADC applications.

Compared with MAX1236EUA, MAX1236KEUA provides identical analog performance but enables unique I²C addressing on shared buses; versus ADS7822U, it integrates reference and power management-reducing BOM count by three components and simplifying layout for compact, low-power designs.

Availability

The MAX1236KEUA is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor nodes, portable medical monitors, solar-powered remote loggers, and system supervision units requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long production lifecycles.

Supply support for MAX1236KEUA 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 precision analog, mixed-signal, and power management ICs for demanding industrial, medical, and communications applications.

The MAX1236–MAX1239 product line delivers low-power, multichannel, I²C-compatible ADCs optimized for space-constrained, battery-aware systems where integration, accuracy, and ease of firmware integration are critical.

FAQ

What is the I²C slave address of the MAX1236KEUA?

The MAX1236KEUA has a factory-programmed I²C slave address of 0110000b (0x30), with R/W bit appended. This fixed address distinguishes it from other variants like MAX1236EUA (0x34) on the same bus. The address is hardwired and cannot be changed via software or external pins. Always verify address alignment in your MCU's I²C driver initialization sequence before attempting communication with the MAX1236KEUA.

Does the MAX1236KEUA require an external reference voltage?

No-the MAX1236KEUA features a factory-trimmed 4.096V internal reference with ±0.5% initial accuracy and 25ppm/°C temperature coefficient, eliminating the need for external reference components. However, it also supports external references from 1V to VDD, selectable via configuration register. Using the internal reference simplifies design, reduces BOM cost, and improves board-level reliability-making the MAX1236KEUA ideal for compact, low-risk deployments where reference stability is critical.

How does AutoShutdown™ reduce power consumption in the MAX1236KEUA?

AutoShutdown™ automatically powers down the MAX1236KEUA's analog core-including reference, T/H, and ADC-between conversions, reducing supply current to less than 1µA at low throughput rates. This occurs without firmware intervention: the device wakes synchronously upon I²C activity or next conversion trigger. For example, at 1ksps, current drops to 6µA; at 10ksps, to 60µA. This feature makes the MAX1236KEUA especially effective in duty-cycled sensing applications such as periodic environmental logging, where average power is dominated by idle current.

Can the MAX1236KEUA operate in differential input mode?

Yes-the MAX1236KEUA supports both single-ended and fully differential analog input configurations, selected via the SGL/DIF bit in the configuration byte. In differential mode, it accepts two input pairs (AIN0–AIN1 and AIN2–AIN3) with ±VREF/2 full-scale range and outputs two's complement codes. This mode rejects common-mode noise and improves SNR in noisy industrial environments-critical for accurate measurements from bridge sensors or isolated signal chains interfacing with the MAX1236KEUA.

What is the maximum sampling rate supported by the MAX1236KEUA?

The MAX1236KEUA achieves a maximum sampling rate of 94.4ksps when operating in I²C High-Speed Mode (1.7MHz clock) with external clocking. In Fast Mode (400kHz), the practical limit is ~22.2ksps due to bus timing constraints. The actual achievable rate depends on host MCU I²C peripheral capability, bus capacitance (<400pF), and whether internal or external clocking is used. For continuous streaming at 94.4ksps, ensure the host can sustain 1.7MHz SCL with proper rise/fall times-verified in the MAX1236KEUA's timing characteristics table.