Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated MAX9120ESA-T
- Part No.:
- MAX9120ESA-T
- Manufacturer:
- Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated
- Category:
- Comparators
- Package:
- 8-SOIC (0.154", 3.90mm Width)
- Datasheet:
-
MAX9120ESA-T.pdf
- Description:
- IC COMPARATOR 1 GEN PUR 8SOIC
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:3,740
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Product details
Overview
MAX9120ESA-T from Analog Devices is a nanopower, open-drain comparator in an 8-pin SO package, designed for ultra-low-power battery-monitoring systems. It operates from +1.6V to +5.5V, draws only 350nA supply current, features Beyond-the-Rails™ inputs (VEE − 0.2V to VCC + 0.2V), and delivers rail-to-rail output swing with ±5mA drive capability-ideal for 2-cell alkaline/NiMH battery voltage threshold detection.
For engineers reviewing the MAX9120ESA-T datasheet, MAX9120ESA-T pinout, MAX9120ESA-T application, or MAX9120ESA-T equivalent, key selection considerations include its open-drain output architecture enabling mixed-voltage logic translation, guaranteed sub-2µs propagation delay at 1.6V, internal 4mV hysteresis for noise immunity, and SC70/SO package compatibility across the MAX9117–MAX9120 family.
Technical Context
The MAX9120ESA-T implements a break-before-make output stage that eliminates crowbar current during switching, minimizing supply glitches and dynamic power surges. Its input stage supports common-mode voltages beyond both supply rails by 200mV, enabling direct sensing at ground or supply lines without level-shifting.
Unlike reference-equipped variants (MAX9117/MAX9118), the MAX9120ESA-T omits the internal 1.252V reference, reducing quiescent current to 350nA and simplifying designs where external reference or comparator-only functionality is required. It shares identical pinout, timing, and electrical specs with MAX9118ESA+ except for reference presence.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Supply Voltage Range | +1.6V to +5.5V - enables operation directly from single Li-ion or dual alkaline cells without regulation. |
| Supply Current | 350nA at +1.6V - extends battery life to over 5 million hours in 2000mAh AA systems. |
| Input Common-Mode Range | VEE − 0.2V to VCC + 0.2V - allows direct ground-referenced or supply-line sensing without external biasing. |
| Propagation Delay | 16µs high-to-low, 45µs low-to-high at +5V with 100kΩ pullup - supports reliable threshold detection in slow-moving battery voltage ramps. |
| Output Type | Open-drain - enables wire-OR logic, mixed-voltage level translation (e.g., 5V-in/3V-out), and flexible pullup placement. |
| Hysteresis | 4mV internal - prevents oscillation on noisy or slowly varying inputs like battery discharge curves. |
| Operating Temperature | −40°C to +85°C - qualified for industrial and portable medical instrument environments. |
Pinout & Package
MAX9120ESA-T is housed in an 8-pin Small Outline (SO) package (S8-2 footprint), measuring 4.9mm × 6.0mm × 1.75mm, RoHS-compliant, with gull-wing leads and 1.27mm pitch.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | N.C. | No internal connection - must be left unconnected or tied to GND per layout best practice. |
| 2 | IN+ | Noninverting input - accepts signals up to VCC + 0.2V; used for threshold comparison against IN−. |
| 3 | IN− | Inverting input - typically connected to reference voltage or fixed threshold; supports Beyond-the-Rails operation. |
| 4 | N.C. | No internal connection - must be left unconnected or tied to GND. |
| 5 | VCC | Positive supply - powers internal circuitry; bypass with 100nF capacitor near pin for noisy supplies. |
| 6 | OUT | Open-drain output - requires external pullup resistor; sinks up to 50mA; compatible with 3V/5V logic domains. |
| 7 | VEE | Negative supply - typically GND (0V); defines lower rail for input/output voltage ranges. |
| 8 | N.C. | No internal connection - must be left unconnected or tied to GND. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Beyond-the-Rails™ Inputs | Enables direct sensing of signals at ground or supply rail without external resistive dividers or level shifters. |
| 350nA Ultra-Low Supply Current | Reduces average system power by >50% vs. reference-equipped MAX9118, critical for multi-year battery life. |
| Open-Drain Output Architecture | Supports bidirectional logic-level translation (e.g., 5V microcontroller to 3V MCU interface) and wired-AND bus configurations. |
| Internal 4mV Hysteresis | Eliminates need for external positive feedback resistors in battery voltage monitoring applications with slow discharge slopes. |
| Crowbar-Current-Free Switching | Prevents supply rail collapse during output transitions, removing requirement for large local decoupling capacitors. |
Applications
| Battery Voltage Threshold Detection | Logic-Level Translation |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Monitoring voltage decay of two alkaline cells (3.0V → 1.8V) to trigger low-battery warning before cutoff. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Comparator comparing cell voltage (IN+) against fixed reference (IN−); open-drain output drives microcontroller interrupt line. Use Value: 350nA quiescent current extends usable battery life by >2× versus reference-integrated comparators; Beyond-the-Rails inputs allow direct connection to battery stack without divider. | Use Scenario: Interfacing a 5V FPGA I/O bank to a 3V sensor subsystem requiring clean level shifting. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Open-drain comparator acting as unidirectional level translator; VCC = +5V, pullup to +3V, OUT drives 3V logic input. Use Value: Eliminates risk of overvoltage damage to 3V receivers; propagation delay <45µs ensures timing compliance for 10kHz control loops. |
| Telemetry Sensor Wake-Up | Medical Instrument Power Sequencing |
Use Scenario: Detecting patient respiration waveform zero-crossings in portable spirometers to wake sleep-mode MCU. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Zero-crossing detector with IN− grounded and IN+ driven by AC-coupled transducer signal; open-drain output triggers MCU wake-up interrupt. Use Value: Sub-µA supply current preserves battery during long idle periods; 4mV hysteresis rejects ECG/EMG noise while preserving breath-cycle timing accuracy. | Use Scenario: Controlling sequential power-up of analog front-end (AFE), ADC, and RF sections in handheld ultrasound probes. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Voltage monitor ensuring LDO output reaches 3.3V before enabling next stage via open-drain enable signal. Use Value: Guaranteed operation down to +1.6V allows monitoring of early LDO ramp; SO package supports automated optical inspection in high-reliability medical PCB assembly. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar comparator applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAX9118ESA+ | Includes internal 1.252V ±1.75% reference; 600nA supply current; same SO-8 pinout and open-drain output. | Used when reference voltage is needed on-board (e.g., single-supply threshold generation without external reference IC). | Select MAX9118ESA+ if reference integration reduces BOM count and board space; otherwise MAX9120ESA-T saves 250nA and simplifies thermal design. |
| TLV3691IDBVR | 320nA supply current; rail-to-rail input/output; push-pull output (no external pullup required); SOT-23-5 package. | Preferred for space-constrained designs needing push-pull drive and lowest possible current, but lacks Beyond-the-Rails input range. | Choose TLV3691IDBVR for minimal current and small footprint where input range stays within rails; MAX9120ESA-T remains superior for ground- or supply-referenced sensing. |
Compared with MAX9118ESA+, MAX9120ESA-T reduces supply current by 42% and removes reference-related drift and load regulation concerns; versus TLV3691IDBVR, it trades push-pull convenience for guaranteed Beyond-the-Rails operation essential in battery stack monitoring.
Availability
MAX9120ESA-T is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for 2-cell battery monitoring, ultra-low-power telemetry systems, and portable medical instrumentation requiring stable component supply across extended production lifecycles.
Supply support for MAX9120ESA-T 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 MAX9117–MAX9120 family was engineered specifically for nanopower, rail-aware voltage monitoring in battery-powered edge devices-prioritizing sub-µA operation, wide input range, and robust switching behavior over speed or precision.
FAQ
What is the maximum supply voltage rating for MAX9120ESA-T?
The MAX9120ESA-T has an absolute maximum supply voltage (VCC to VEE) of +6V. Its recommended operating range is +1.6V to +5.5V. Exceeding +6V risks permanent damage. This rating allows safe use with 5V systems and margin for transient spikes, consistent with its role in battery-powered equipment where supply rails may vary.
Does MAX9120ESA-T include an internal voltage reference?
No, MAX9120ESA-T does not include an internal voltage reference. It belongs to the "without reference" variant of the MAX9117–MAX9120 family. Unlike MAX9117/MAX9118, it draws only 350nA and relies on external references or resistor-divider thresholds applied to IN−. This omission reduces cost, current, and temperature drift sensitivity.
Can MAX9120ESA-T operate with inputs below ground (VEE)?
Yes, MAX9120ESA-T supports input voltages as low as VEE − 0.2V. With VEE = 0V (ground), IN+ and IN− accept signals down to −0.2V. This Beyond-the-Rails™ capability enables direct connection to transducers or sensors with negative excursions, such as piezoelectric elements or AC-coupled biomedical signals, without clamping diodes or level shifters.
What pullup resistor value is recommended for MAX9120ESA-T's open-drain output?
A 100kΩ pullup resistor is specified in the datasheet for propagation delay characterization (tPD+ = 45µs at +5V). For faster response, values as low as 10kΩ can be used-ensuring sink current stays within 50mA absolute max. Lower values reduce rise time but increase static current; 47kΩ offers a balanced tradeoff for 3.3V logic interfacing with <1µA added quiescent load.
Is MAX9120ESA-T pin-compatible with other devices in the MAX9117–MAX9120 family?
Yes, MAX9120ESA-T shares identical SO-8 pinout with MAX9117ESA+, MAX9118ESA+, and MAX9120ESA+. All four have N.C. on pins 1, 4, and 8; IN+ on pin 2; IN− on pin 3; VCC on pin 5; OUT on pin 6; and VEE on pin 7. This allows drop-in replacement between variants when changing reference or output type requirements.
MAX9120ESA-T Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated
- Package/Case:
- 8-SOIC (0.154", 3.90mm Width)
- Series:
- Beyond-the-Rails™
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- Type:
- General Purpose
- Number of Elements:
- 1
- Output Type:
- Open-Drain
- Voltage - Supply, Single/Dual (±):
- 1.6V ~ 5.5V
- :
- 5mV @ 5V
- Voltage - Input Offset (Max):
- 0.001µA @ 5V
- Current - Input Bias (Max):
- 50mA
- Current - Output (Typ):
- 1.2µA
- Current - Quiescent (Max):
- 66.02dB CMRR, 80dB PSRR
- CMRR, PSRR (Typ):
- 45µs
- Propagation Delay (Max):
- 4mV
- Hysteresis:
- -40°C ~ 85°C
- Operating Temperature:
- -
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- Surface Mount
- :
- 8-SOIC
MAX9120ESA-T FAQ
1.How can I place an order for MAX9120ESA-T through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for MAX9120ESA-T 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 MAX9120ESA-T reliable?
The price and inventory of MAX9120ESA-T are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for MAX9120ESA-T is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for MAX9120ESA-T?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for MAX9120ESA-T transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for MAX9120ESA-T?
MAX9120ESA-T orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your MAX9120ESA-T 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 MAX9120ESA-T?
For technical support, including MAX9120ESA-T datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your MAX9120ESA-T requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that MAX9120ESA-T is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All MAX9120ESA-T 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 MAX9120ESA-T meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of MAX9120ESA-T?
All MAX9120ESA-T units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with MAX9120ESA-T, 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 MAX9120ESA-T part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for MAX9120ESA-T:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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