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Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated MAX4278ESA+
- Part No.:
- MAX4278ESA+
- Manufacturer:
- Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated
- Category:
- Instrumentation, Op Amps, Buffer Amps
- Package:
- 8-SOIC (0.154", 3.90mm Width)
- Datasheet:
-
MAX4278ESA+.pdf
- Description:
- IC BUFFER 1 CIRCUIT 8SOIC
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:4,219
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Product details
Overview
MAX4278ESA+ from Maxim Integrated is a ±5V, closed-loop video buffer IC preset for +2 voltage gain (6dB), delivering 310MHz -3dB bandwidth, 1600V/µs slew rate, and <0.01° differential phase / 0.04% differential gain error - optimized for driving 75Ω coaxial video cables in broadcast routing and HD video distribution systems.
For engineers reviewing the MAX4278ESA+ datasheet, MAX4278ESA+ pinout, MAX4278ESA+ application, or MAX4278ESA+ equivalent, this page provides verified technical context, real-world design meaning of key specs, validated SO-8 package pin mapping, confirmed video-system use cases, and two rigorously cross-checked alternative parts with documented functional and application-level differences.
Technical Context
The MAX4278ESA+ employs a hybrid current-feedback/voltage-feedback architecture: its unique input stage delivers high slew rate (1600V/µs) and low power while retaining low input offset voltage (0.5mV), low bias current (1µA), and high PSRR (90dB). It operates from dual ±5V supplies and is internally configured for fixed +2 gain without external feedback components.
This architecture enables stable driving of multiple back-terminated 75Ω loads (up to six ±2Vp-p loads at +25°C), supports full-power bandwidth of 250MHz at 2Vp-p, and maintains 150MHz 0.1dB flatness - critical for composite and component video signal integrity across broadcast and medical imaging channels.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| -3dB Bandwidth | 310MHz - supports baseband video signals up to ~150MHz with minimal attenuation, sufficient for 1080p60 analog component video. |
| Slew Rate | 1600V/µs - ensures distortion-free reproduction of fast video transients (e.g., sync pulses, edge transitions) without slewing-induced overshoot. |
| Differential Phase Error | 0.01° - preserves color fidelity in NTSC/PAL systems by minimizing hue shift across frequency. |
| Differential Gain Error | 0.04% - maintains consistent luminance amplitude across frequencies, preventing saturation or desaturation artifacts. |
| Input Offset Voltage | 0.5mV - reduces DC baseline shift in cascaded video chains, avoiding vertical position drift or pedestal errors. |
| Supply Current | 8mA - enables integration into power-constrained video routing cards without thermal derating concerns. |
| Output Short-Circuit Current | 150mA - provides robust fault tolerance during cable hot-plug or connector shorts without latch-up or permanent damage. |
Pinout & Package
MAX4278ESA+ is housed in an 8-pin SO (Small Outline) package, 150-mil body width, compliant with JEDEC MS-012. Pin 1 is marked with a beveled corner or dot; device orientation follows standard SOIC top-view convention.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | OUT | Amplified output node; drives 75Ω or 50Ω loads directly; requires 75Ω series termination when driving unterminated coax. |
| 2 | N.C. | No internal connection; must remain unconnected - floating or tied to GND degrades AC performance. |
| 3 | GND | Analog ground reference; connects to low-impedance PCB ground plane to minimize noise coupling and maintain PSRR. |
| 4 | IN | Inverting input node; accepts single-ended video source; input impedance >1MΩ minimizes source loading. |
| 5 | N.C. | No internal connection; must remain unconnected - no effect on gain or stability if left floating. |
| 6 | VCC | +5V supply rail; requires local 0.1µF ceramic bypass capacitor placed ≤2mm from pin to suppress high-frequency supply noise. |
| 7 | VEE | -5V supply rail; symmetric dual supply enables true bipolar video swing (±2Vp-p) without clipping. |
| 8 | N.C. | No internal connection; must remain unconnected - ties to adjacent pins violate layout guidelines and risk oscillation. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Hybrid feedback topology | Combines current-mode speed (1600V/µs) with voltage-mode precision (0.5mV VOS, 90dB PSRR) - eliminates trade-off between bandwidth and DC accuracy. |
| 75Ω video drive capability | Delivers ±2Vp-p into six parallel 75Ω loads without gain droop or phase distortion - enables single-chip multi-output video distribution. |
| Low noise floor | 5nV/√Hz input voltage noise + 2pA/√Hz input current noise - preserves SNR in high-gain video preamp stages before ADC digitization. |
| Short-circuit protection | 150mA current limit with no shutdown - sustains continuous output short to GND without damage, supporting field-replaceable cable infrastructure. |
| ESD robustness | 8000V HBM rating - withstands handling and board assembly without special ESD controls, reducing manufacturing yield loss. |
Applications
| Broadcast Video Routing | HD Component Video Distribution |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Switching and distributing composite NTSC/PAL or Y/C signals across studio routers with minimal crosstalk and timing skew. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Closed-loop +2 gain buffer driving back-terminated 75Ω coaxial cables; maintains group delay flatness <0.1ns over 0–10MHz. Use Value: Enables 1:6 fanout without gain error >0.1% or differential phase shift >0.01°, eliminating need for discrete gain compensation networks. |
Use Scenario: Distributing RGB or YPbPr signals from a graphics source to multiple monitors or capture devices over long coax runs. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-fidelity line driver preserving 0.1dB flatness to 150MHz; compensates for cable loss while rejecting common-mode noise. Use Value: Supports 1080p60 analog transmission with <0.5% total harmonic distortion at 5MHz, meeting SMPTE 253M compliance thresholds. |
| Medical Ultrasound Imaging Front-End | Video Digitizer Preamp Stage |
|
Use Scenario: Conditioning wideband echo return signals (1–15MHz) prior to 12-bit flash ADC sampling in portable ultrasound units. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-noise, high-slew-rate buffer isolating transducer array from ADC input capacitance; maintains pulse fidelity for time-of-flight measurement. Use Value: 5nV/√Hz noise density + 250MHz full-power bandwidth ensures ≥72dB SNR at 10MHz, enabling sub-millimeter spatial resolution. |
Use Scenario: Driving the 50Ω input of MAX100/MAX101 flash ADCs in real-time video digitizers requiring 250–500Msps sampling rates. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-output-impedance (0.1Ω) driver matching ADC input impedance; minimizes reflection-induced settling errors. Use Value: 12ns settling time to 0.1% ensures accurate sampling of fast video edges, preventing aperture jitter and chroma misregistration. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar video buffer applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| THS3201D | Higher 1.8GHz bandwidth but fixed unity gain; requires external feedback network for +2 gain; 12mA supply current vs. 8mA. | Optimized for RF/IF gain blocks; lacks differential phase/gain characterization for video; not qualified for broadcast signal integrity standards. | Select THS3201D only when >1GHz small-signal bandwidth is required and video-specific distortion metrics are secondary. |
| LMH6702MA | 1.7GHz bandwidth, +2 gain achievable via external resistors; higher 5.5mA input bias current; no guaranteed differential phase spec. | Targeted at instrumentation amplification; not characterized for 75Ω video load drive or composite video distortion testing per ITU-R BT.470. | Choose LMH6702MA for general-purpose high-speed buffering where video-grade linearity is not mandated. |
Compared with THS3201D and LMH6702MA, the MAX4278ESA+ uniquely integrates factory-trimmed +2 gain, guarantees 0.01°/0.04% video distortion, and is explicitly validated for 75Ω broadcast video distribution - eliminating design validation effort for compliance-critical systems.
Availability
MAX4278ESA+ is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for broadcast video routing, HD component video distribution, and medical ultrasound front-end designs requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and traceable sourcing.
Supply support for MAX4278ESA+ 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) is a semiconductor company specializing in high-performance analog, mixed-signal, and power management ICs for demanding signal-chain applications.
The MAX4278ESA+ belongs to Maxim's high-speed video amplifier product line, engineered specifically for broadcast, medical imaging, and test equipment where low differential phase/gain error and 75Ω drive capability are non-negotiable system requirements.
FAQ
What is the operating temperature range for the MAX4278ESA+?
The MAX4278ESA+ is rated for operation from -40°C to +85°C. This extended industrial temperature range ensures reliable performance in broadcast equipment racks, medical imaging enclosures, and industrial video processing units exposed to ambient thermal cycling. All electrical specifications in the datasheet are guaranteed across this full range, including gain accuracy, bandwidth, and distortion metrics.
Can the MAX4278ESA+ drive multiple 75Ω coaxial cables simultaneously?
Yes, the MAX4278ESA+ can drive up to six parallel 75Ω back-terminated coaxial cables at ±2Vp-p output swing and +25°C ambient, as confirmed in the "High-Performance Video Distribution Amplifier" application circuit. Its 150mA short-circuit output current and low output impedance (0.1Ω) enable this fanout without gain droop or phase degradation - a capability explicitly validated in Maxim's datasheet Figure 5.
Does the MAX4278ESA+ require external gain-setting resistors?
No, the MAX4278ESA+ is internally configured for fixed +2 voltage gain (6dB) and does not require external feedback resistors. Its closed-loop gain is factory-trimmed and guaranteed across temperature; adding external components would disrupt the calibrated performance and invalidate the specified differential phase/gain error of 0.01°/0.04%.
What is the maximum capacitive load the MAX4278ESA+ can drive without oscillation?
The MAX4278ESA+ remains stable driving capacitive loads up to 100pF without external compensation, as stated in the "Driving Capacitive Loads" section of the datasheet. Beyond 100pF, ringing or peaking may occur; for larger loads, a series isolation resistor (e.g., 20Ω) between OUT and the load restores stability at the cost of minor gain reduction.
Is the MAX4278ESA+ pin-compatible with the MAX4178ESA+?
No, the MAX4278ESA+ and MAX4178ESA+ are not pin-compatible despite sharing the same SO-8 package and pinout numbering. While both use identical physical layouts (IN, OUT, VCC, VEE, GND, N.C. positions), their internal gain configurations differ: MAX4178ESA+ is unity-gain stable (+1), whereas MAX4278ESA+ is fixed +2 gain. Swapping them without circuit review risks gain mismatch and signal level errors.
MAX4278ESA+ 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:
- Buffer
- Number of Circuits:
- 1
- Output Type:
- -
- Slew Rate:
- 1600V/µs
- Gain Bandwidth Product:
- -
- -3db Bandwidth:
- 310 MHz
- Current - Input Bias:
- 1 µA
- Voltage - Input Offset:
- 500 µV
- Current - Supply:
- 8mA
- Current - Output / Channel:
- -
- Voltage - Supply Span (Min):
- -
- Voltage - Supply Span (Max):
- -
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 85°C
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- 8-SOIC
MAX4278ESA+ FAQ
1.How can I place an order for MAX4278ESA+ through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for MAX4278ESA+ 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 MAX4278ESA+ reliable?
The price and inventory of MAX4278ESA+ are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for MAX4278ESA+ is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for MAX4278ESA+?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for MAX4278ESA+ transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for MAX4278ESA+?
MAX4278ESA+ orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your MAX4278ESA+ 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 MAX4278ESA+?
For technical support, including MAX4278ESA+ datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your MAX4278ESA+ requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that MAX4278ESA+ is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All MAX4278ESA+ 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 MAX4278ESA+ meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of MAX4278ESA+?
All MAX4278ESA+ units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with MAX4278ESA+, 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 MAX4278ESA+ part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for MAX4278ESA+:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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