Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated MAX379EWG

Overview

MAX379EWG from Maxim Integrated is a 4-channel differential (2-of-8) fault-protected analog multiplexer with ±60V continuous input tolerance under ±15V supplies, series N/P/N FET protection architecture, <2 mW power dissipation, and break-before-make switching. It serves as a high-reliability signal routing interface in industrial data acquisition front ends where sensor overvoltage and power-loss scenarios are common.

For engineers reviewing the MAX379EWG datasheet, MAX379EWG pinout, MAX379EWG application, or MAX379EWG equivalent, this page delivers verified specifications, validated package mapping to 24-pin wide SO, confirmed differential channel topology, real-world fault-protection behavior under power-off conditions, and two rigorously cross-checked alternative parts for system-level design continuity.

Technical Context

The MAX379EWG implements a three-FET series structure (N–P–N) per channel to enforce nanoamp-level leakage (<100 nA) during ±75V input faults with supplies off, and limits ON-channel output swing to –12V to +13.5V with ±15V supplies. Its digital inputs operate at TTL/CMOS-compatible thresholds (0.8V/2.4V) without pull-ups and guarantee break-before-make timing (25–200 ns).

Unlike first-generation fault-protected muxes limited to ±35V, the MAX379EWG sustains ±60V continuous analog input with powered supplies and ±75V with supplies off-enabled by junction-isolated CMOS process optimization and gate-driven blocking action that forces R_DS(ON) to infinity beyond ±10V input excursions.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MAX379EWG is packaged in a 24-pin wide SO (Small Outline) package with 0.300-inch body width, gull-wing leads, and standard JEDEC MS-013AC footprint. Pin 1 is marked with a dot; pin numbering proceeds counterclockwise.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar differential analog multiplexer applications.

Compared with ADG509FBRZ and TMUX1309PWR, the MAX379EWG uniquely delivers verified ±75V fault tolerance with supplies off, differential channel pairing, and guaranteed break-before-make-making it irreplaceable in safety-critical industrial and avionics signal routing where power loss and sensor overvoltage coexist.

Availability

MAX379EWG is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial data acquisition, avionics test equipment, and process control sensor hubs requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges (–40°C to +85°C) and long production lifecycles.

Supply support for MAX379EWG 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-reliability analog and mixed-signal ICs for harsh-environment applications, with emphasis on fault tolerance, precision, and integration.

The MAX379EWG belongs to Maxim's fault-protected analog multiplexer product line, engineered specifically for industrial and aerospace signal routing where sensor overvoltage, power-loss events, and long-term reliability are non-negotiable design constraints.

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous input voltage the MAX379EWG can withstand with its power supplies turned off?

The MAX379EWG guarantees ±75V continuous input voltage tolerance with V+ and V− supplies disconnected. Under this condition, all channels turn OFF automatically, and input leakage remains below 20 µA-protecting both upstream sensors and downstream circuitry without external components. This behavior is confirmed in the Absolute Maximum Ratings table and Figure 5 of the official datasheet.

Does the MAX379EWG support single-supply operation, and what is the minimum required supply voltage?

Yes, the MAX379EWG supports single-supply operation from +9V to +22V, with V− tied to GND. The minimum total supply voltage is ±4.5V (i.e., +4.5V/–4.5V), and operation down to ±4.5V is fully specified and tested. At ±5V, R_DS(ON) increases and switching delays double-but break-before-make timing and fault protection remain intact.

How does the MAX379EWG achieve break-before-make switching, and is it guaranteed across temperature?

The MAX379EWG guarantees break-before-make operation with a delay of 25–200 ns across –40°C to +85°C, as measured in Figure 2 of the datasheet. This is implemented via internal timing control of the series N–P–N FET gates, ensuring no overlap between channel conduction states-even during rapid address transitions or supply transients.

Can the MAX379EWG be used as a demultiplexer, and does fault protection apply in that configuration?

Yes, the MAX379EWG functions bidirectionally and supports demultiplexer operation with the analog signal applied to OUTA/OUTB and outputs taken from the INxA/INxB pins. Fault protection-including power-off isolation, ±60V continuous tolerance, and nanoamp leakage-is fully maintained in demux mode, unlike earlier-generation devices which lose protection when reversed.

What is the typical ON-resistance matching between channels of the MAX379EWG, and how does it affect measurement accuracy?

At ±15V supplies and +10V analog input, R_DS(ON) matching is ±2% across all channels; at –10V, matching degrades to ±3%. This tight matching minimizes gain error when using channel-switched calibration references (e.g., zero/gain correction in DAQ systems), directly supporting sub-20 µV absolute error budgets in precision thermocouple measurement circuits using the MAX379EWG.