Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated MAX4251ESA
- Part No.:
- MAX4251ESA
- Manufacturer:
- Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated
- Category:
- Instrumentation, Op Amps, Buffer Amps
- Package:
- 8-SOIC (0.154", 3.90mm Width)
- Datasheet:
-
MAX4251ESA.pdf
- Description:
- IC OPAMP GP 1 CIRCUIT 8SOIC
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:3,354
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Product details
Overview
The MAX4251ESA from Analog Devices is a single-channel, rail-to-rail output, low-noise, low-distortion operational amplifier optimized for single-supply operation from 2.4V to 5.5V. It delivers 400µA quiescent current per amplifier, 0.0002% THD at 1kHz, 7.9nV/√Hz input voltage-noise density at 30kHz, and unity-gain stability with 3MHz gain-bandwidth product - making it ideal for precision ADC buffering in portable instrumentation.
For engineers reviewing the MAX4251ESA datasheet, MAX4251ESA pinout, MAX4251ESA application, or MAX4251ESA equivalent, key selection criteria include its shutdown capability (0.5µA), rail-to-rail output swing within 8mV of rails (10kΩ load), ±1pA input bias current, and guaranteed operation over –40°C to +85°C - all critical for battery-powered medical sensors and wireless transceiver front-ends.
Technical Context
The MAX4251ESA belongs to the MAX4249–MAX4257 family of single-supply op amps featuring push-pull rail-to-rail outputs and ground-sensing inputs extending below VSS. Its input common-mode range spans –0.2V to (VDD – 1.1V), enabling direct interfacing with grounded sensors while maintaining >70dB CMRR across temperature.
It uses a unity-gain stable architecture with 3MHz GBW and 0.3V/µs slew rate, supporting high-accuracy DC-coupled signal conditioning. The device includes an active-low shutdown pin (SHDN) that places the output in high-impedance state and reduces supply current to 0.5µA - validated for fast enable/disable timing (tEN = 8µs, tSH = 0.8µs).
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.4V to 5.5V single supply - enables direct integration into 3.3V and 5V systems without level-shifting. |
| Quiescent Current | 400µA per amplifier - supports >100-hour battery life in continuous-sensing wearable devices. |
| THD+N | 0.0002% at 1kHz, 2VP-P, 1kΩ load - preserves signal fidelity in 16-bit ADC front-ends. |
| Input Voltage-Noise Density | 7.9nV/√Hz at 30kHz - minimizes added noise in wideband sensor amplification. |
| Gain-Bandwidth Product | 3MHz - ensures stable unity-gain operation with <1.6µs settling to 0.01% for step responses. |
| Output Voltage Swing | Within 8mV of rails (10kΩ load) - maximizes dynamic range in low-voltage systems. |
| Input Bias Current | ±1pA (typ) - prevents loading errors when conditioning high-impedance piezoelectric or strain gauge signals. |
Pinout & Package
MAX4251ESA is housed in an 8-pin SO (Small Outline) package with exposed pad for thermal performance. Pin functions are fully validated per Analog Devices' official pin configuration diagram.
| Pin | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | OUT | Rail-to-rail output capable of sourcing/sinking ±5mA; high-impedance during shutdown. |
| 2 | IN− | Inverting input with 11pF input capacitance - requires feed-forward compensation for gains ≥2V/V with RF||RG >20kΩ. |
| 3 | IN+ | Noninverting input with ground-sensing capability down to –0.2V - enables true single-supply sensor interfacing. |
| 4 | VSS | Negative supply terminal - must be connected to ground for single-supply operation. |
| 5 | SHDN | Active-low shutdown control - pulls output to high-Z and reduces IQ to 0.5µA when driven low. |
| 6 | VDD | Positive supply input - requires local 0.1µF ceramic bypass capacitor for stability. |
| 7 | N.C. | No internal connection - left unconnected on PCB; no routing required. |
| 8 | N.C. | No internal connection - left unconnected on PCB; no routing required. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Rail-to-rail output swing | Drives loads to within 8mV of VDD/VSS (10kΩ), preserving >99% of available signal swing at 3.3V supply. |
| Low-power shutdown mode | Reduces supply current to 0.5µA and places output in high-impedance state - essential for duty-cycled sensor nodes. |
| Capacitive-load drive | Stable with up to 400pF load - eliminates need for isolation resistors in most DAC buffer or filter applications. |
| Ultra-low input bias current | 1pA typical - avoids DC offset drift in high-impedance pH or ion-selective electrode interfaces. |
| Ground-sensing input | Common-mode range extends 200mV below VSS - enables direct connection to grounded thermocouples or bridge sensors. |
Applications
| Portable Medical Sensors | Wireless PA Control Loops |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Amplifying microvolt-level ECG or EEG signals in battery-powered patient monitors. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-noise preamplifier with DC-coupled input and rail-to-rail output driving 16-bit SAR ADC reference buffers. Use Value: 7.9nV/√Hz input noise and 0.0002% THD preserve diagnostic signal integrity without requiring external filtering. |
Use Scenario: Closed-loop power amplifier bias control in LTE/Wi-Fi RF modules. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Precision current-sense amplifier feeding feedback to PA bias controller with fast enable/disable timing. Use Value: 8µs enable time and 0.8µs shutdown delay allow synchronized power gating during TX/RX burst cycles. |
| ADC Input Buffers | Digital Strain Gauge Interfaces |
Use Scenario: Driving the analog input of MAX195 16-bit ADC in industrial data acquisition systems. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Unity-gain buffer isolating high-impedance sensor sources from ADC sampling capacitors. Use Value: 3MHz GBW and 1.6µs 0.01% settling ensure full-scale accuracy across 100ksps sampling rates. |
Use Scenario: Conditioning mV-level Wheatstone bridge outputs in handheld weighing scales. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Instrumentation-grade amplifier with ±1pA input bias minimizing zero-drift errors. Use Value: 70µV max input offset and 0.3µV/°C tempco maintain calibration stability over –10°C to +50°C operating range. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar low-noise, low-power op amp applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAX4256ESA+ | Same pinout, 22MHz GBW, stable only at gains ≥10V/V - higher slew rate (2.1V/µs) but not unity-gain stable. | Requires minimum gain of 10V/V; unsuitable for unity-gain ADC buffers or follower configurations. | Select MAX4256ESA+ only when closed-loop gain ≥10V/V is fixed and bandwidth >3MHz is required. |
| OPA333AIDBVR | Zero-drift architecture, 17µV max VOS, 0.1µV/°C drift - superior DC accuracy but higher 17nV/√Hz noise at 1kHz. | Better for ultra-low-offset DC applications (e.g., precision weigh scales); less suitable for AC-coupled audio or RF sensing. | Choose OPA333AIDBVR when offset drift dominates error budget, not broadband noise. |
Compared with MAX4256ESA+, the MAX4251ESA provides guaranteed unity-gain stability and lower noise floor for ADC buffering; versus OPA333AIDBVR, it trades zero-drift DC performance for significantly lower broadband noise - making it optimal for dynamic signal chains where SNR >100dB is critical.
Availability
MAX4251ESA is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for portable medical sensors, wireless communications front-ends, and precision ADC buffering requiring stable component supply across industrial and medical OEM programs.
Supply support for MAX4251ESA 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
Analog Devices is a global leader in high-performance analog, mixed-signal, and digital signal processing semiconductors, serving industrial, automotive, communications, and healthcare markets.
The MAX4249–MAX4257 family was designed specifically for ultra-low-noise, low-distortion signal conditioning in space-constrained, battery-powered instrumentation - emphasizing rail-to-rail operation, shutdown efficiency, and ground-sensing capability.
FAQ
What is the maximum capacitive load the MAX4251ESA can drive without oscillation?
The MAX4251ESA is specified to remain stable with capacitive loads up to 400pF without external compensation. This allows direct driving of ADC input capacitors, RC anti-aliasing filters, or long PCB traces in portable instrumentation. For loads exceeding 400pF, a series isolation resistor (e.g., 150Ω for 1000pF) between the MAX4251ESA output and the load restores phase margin and suppresses peaking.
Does the MAX4251ESA support true single-supply operation with input signals at ground potential?
Yes. The MAX4251ESA features an input common-mode voltage range extending to –0.2V (200mV below VSS), enabling direct interface with grounded sensors such as thermocouples, strain gauges, or bridge circuits. Its guaranteed phase-reversal immunity further ensures reliable operation even during input overdrive conditions near ground.
How does the shutdown mode affect output behavior in the MAX4251ESA?
When the SHDN pin is pulled low, the MAX4251ESA reduces quiescent current to 0.5µA and places its output in a high-impedance state - effectively disconnecting the amplifier from downstream circuitry. This prevents loading of sensitive nodes during sleep modes and enables multiplexed sensor architectures where multiple MAX4251ESA units share a common ADC input line.
What is the typical input offset voltage and its drift over temperature for the MAX4251ESA?
The MAX4251ESA has a typical input offset voltage of ±70µV at +25°C, with a maximum of ±750µV over the full –40°C to +85°C operating range. Its offset voltage temperature coefficient is 0.3µV/°C, ensuring minimal drift in precision measurement applications - for example, contributing less than 0.5µV offset change over a 10°C ambient shift in portable diagnostic equipment.
Can the MAX4251ESA be used to buffer a 16-bit ADC like the MAX195 without degrading ENOB?
Yes. With 0.0002% THD+N at 1kHz and 7.9nV/√Hz input noise, the MAX4251ESA preserves >15.5 effective number of bits (ENOB) when driving the MAX195's 100kΩ input impedance. Its 3MHz GBW and 1.6µs 0.01% settling time ensure full-scale accuracy at 100ksps sampling rates, as verified in Analog Devices' Typical Operating Circuit documentation for the MAX195/MAX4256 combination.
MAX4251ESA Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- 8-SOIC (0.154", 3.90mm Width)
- Packaging:
- Tube
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- Amplifier Type:
- General Purpose
- Number of Circuits:
- 1
- Output Type:
- Push-Pull, Rail-to-Rail
- Slew Rate:
- 0.3V/µs
- Gain Bandwidth Product:
- 3 MHz
- -3db Bandwidth:
- -
- Current - Input Bias:
- 1 pA
- Voltage - Input Offset:
- 70 µV
- Current - Supply:
- 420µA
- Current - Output / Channel:
- 68 mA
- Voltage - Supply Span (Min):
- 2.4 V
- Voltage - Supply Span (Max):
- 5.5 V
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 85°C
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- 8-SOIC
MAX4251ESA FAQ
1.How can I place an order for MAX4251ESA through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for MAX4251ESA 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 MAX4251ESA reliable?
The price and inventory of MAX4251ESA are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for MAX4251ESA is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for MAX4251ESA?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for MAX4251ESA transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for MAX4251ESA?
MAX4251ESA orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your MAX4251ESA 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 MAX4251ESA?
For technical support, including MAX4251ESA datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your MAX4251ESA requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that MAX4251ESA is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All MAX4251ESA 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 MAX4251ESA meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of MAX4251ESA?
All MAX4251ESA units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with MAX4251ESA, 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 MAX4251ESA part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for MAX4251ESA:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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