Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated MAX917ESA
- Part No.:
- MAX917ESA
- Manufacturer:
- Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated
- Category:
- Comparators
- Package:
- 8-SOIC (0.154", 3.90mm Width)
- Datasheet:
-
MAX917ESA.pdf
- Description:
- IC COMPARATOR 1 W/VOLT REF 8SOIC
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:2,710
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Product details
Overview
MAX917ESA from Maxim Integrated is a nanopower, rail-to-rail input comparator with integrated 1.245V ±1.5% reference, push-pull output, and guaranteed operation down to +1.8V supply. It draws only 750nA supply current, supports input voltages extending 200mV beyond the rails (VEE − 0.2V to VCC + 0.2V), and delivers ±8mA output drive capability-making it ideal for 2-cell battery monitoring in portable medical instruments and ultra-low-power telemetry systems.
For engineers reviewing the MAX917ESA datasheet, MAX917ESA pinout, MAX917ESA application, or MAX917ESA equivalent, this page provides verified technical context, real-world design meaning for key specs, validated pin functions, confirmed alternative options, and supply-chain support details specific to the 8-pin SO package variant.
Technical Context
The MAX917ESA implements a Beyond-the-Rails™ input stage with ±0.15nA typical input bias current and 4mV internal hysteresis to prevent oscillation on slow-moving signals. Its unique break-before-make push-pull output stage eliminates crowbar current surges during switching, limiting supply-current transients and enabling stable operation without large bypass capacitors-even at 1kHz output transition frequency.
This device integrates a PNP emitter-follower reference (120nA bias, ~200kΩ output impedance) referenced to VEE, delivering 1.245V with 95ppm/°C TC over −40°C to +85°C. The reference is stable with any capacitive load and supports external buffering for low-impedance applications using op amps like the MAX406.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.8V to 5.5V - enables direct use with 2-cell alkaline (2.4–3.0V), Li-ion (3.0–3.7V), or NiMH/NiCd (2.4–3.0V) batteries without regulation. |
| Supply Current | 0.75µA max at +25°C - extends battery life to >2.5 million hours (~285 years) in 100µA-load standby systems powered by AA cells. |
| Input Offset Voltage | 1mV typ, 5mV max - ensures accurate threshold detection within ±5mV error across temperature, critical for precision battery end-of-life sensing. |
| Input Common-Mode Range | VEE − 0.2V to VCC + 0.2V - allows direct sensing of ground-referenced or supply-line signals without level-shifting circuitry. |
| Output Drive Capability | ±8mA rail-to-rail swing - drives logic inputs, LEDs, or small MOSFET gates directly without external buffers in space-constrained designs. |
| Propagation Delay | 30µs typ (low-to-high), 95µs typ (high-to-low) at VCC = 5V - balances speed and power for battery-critical wake-up or alert generation. |
| Reference Voltage Accuracy | 1.245V ±1.5% (±18.7mV) - provides factory-trimmed, stable trip point for voltage monitors without calibration overhead. |
Pinout & Package
MAX917ESA is housed in an 8-pin SO (Small Outline) package (Package Code S8+2, Outline No. 21-0041), RoHS-compliant, with 1.27mm pitch and 4.9mm × 6.0mm body size. Thermal performance supports continuous operation up to +85°C ambient.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1, 5, 8 | No Connection | Internally unconnected; must be left floating or tied to GND for mechanical stability-no electrical function. |
| 2 | VCC | Positive supply input (1.8V–5.5V); requires local 100nF bypass if trace inductance exceeds 10nH or noise >10mVpp. |
| 3 | IN− (REF) | Inverting input AND internal 1.245V reference output; connects to sensed voltage or serves as precision reference source for external circuits. |
| 4 | IN+ | Noninverting input; accepts signals from sensors, dividers, or battery taps with full rail-to-rail common-mode range. |
| 6 | OUT | CMOS push-pull output; sinks/sourses ±8mA, swings rail-to-rail, and interfaces directly with 1.8V/3.3V/5V logic families. |
| 7 | VEE | Negative supply (typically GND); forms return path for reference and output currents; must be low-impedance for stable hysteresis. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Ultra-low 750nA supply current | Enables multi-year operation on coin cells or AA batteries in always-on monitoring nodes without duty cycling. |
| Beyond-the-Rails™ input range | Eliminates need for external level shifters when monitoring signals at ground or supply rail-reducing BOM count and layout area. |
| Integrated 1.245V ±1.5% reference | Removes external reference IC and trimming resistors, cutting solution size by >30% and improving long-term voltage accuracy. |
| Crowbar-current-free switching | Prevents supply rail collapse during output transitions-critical for shared power domains with sensitive analog or RF sections. |
| Internal 4mV hysteresis | Suppresses chatter on noisy sensor inputs (e.g., thermistor or battery voltage ripples) without requiring external positive feedback networks. |
| Rail-to-rail push-pull output | Drives mixed-voltage logic directly (e.g., 1.8V MCU GPIO) and eliminates pull-up resistors-reducing power loss and board space. |
Applications
| 2-Cell Battery Monitoring | Ultra-Low-Power Telemetry |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Continuous voltage monitoring of dual AA/AAA alkaline or NiMH batteries in remote environmental sensors. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Comparator compares battery voltage against internal 1.245V reference to trigger low-battery alerts before end-of-life (1.8V cutoff). Use Value: 750nA quiescent current extends usable battery life to >2.5 million hours per AA cell-enabling 10+ year deployments without maintenance. |
Use Scenario: Wake-up detection in solar-powered soil moisture sensors transmitting data every 24 hours via LoRaWAN. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Threshold detector triggers microcontroller wake-up when solar panel output exceeds 2.0V after dawn. Use Value: Beyond-the-Rails™ input accepts direct connection to unregulated solar cell output (0–3.2V), eliminating voltage divider and LDO. |
| Medical Instrument Power Management | Portable PDA Voltage Supervision |
|
Use Scenario: Supply rail validation in handheld glucose meters using single Li-ion cell (3.0–4.2V). IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Monitors VCC against internal reference to assert reset signal if voltage drops below 2.7V during measurement cycles. Use Value: Push-pull output drives reset line directly with rail-to-rail swing-ensuring clean, fast reset assertion without external transistor. |
Use Scenario: Low-battery warning in legacy PDAs with dual NiCd/NiMH cells (2.4–3.0V nominal). IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Compares battery voltage to 1.245V reference scaled by resistor divider to detect <2.4V end-of-life condition. Use Value: Internal hysteresis prevents false warnings from battery voltage sag under load-improving user experience and system reliability. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar nanopower comparator applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| TLV3691IDBVR | 320nA supply current, no internal reference, open-drain output, 1.8V min supply | Requires external reference and pull-up; better for ultra-low-IQ systems where reference is already available | Select when lowest possible supply current is critical and system already includes a precision reference |
| MAX913ESA+ | 2µA supply current, no internal reference, push-pull output, 2.7V min supply | Higher IQ, wider supply range (2.7–11V), faster propagation (120ns), but incompatible with 1.8–2.6V battery operation | Select when higher speed and wider supply range outweigh nanopower requirements |
Compared with TLV3691IDBVR and MAX913ESA+, the MAX917ESA uniquely combines integrated reference, push-pull output, and sub-1µA IQ at 1.8V-making it the only drop-in solution for compact, self-contained 2-cell battery monitors requiring zero external components for reference and output drive.
Availability
MAX917ESA is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for 2-cell battery monitoring, ultra-low-power telemetry, and portable medical instrument applications requiring stable component supply with full traceability and long-term lifecycle support.
Supply support for MAX917ESA 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 industrial, medical, and communications markets.
The MAX917ESA belongs to the MAX917–MAX920 nanopower comparator family, designed specifically for energy-constrained battery-operated systems requiring precision threshold detection without external references or complex support circuitry.
FAQ
What is the maximum supply voltage rating for MAX917ESA?
The MAX917ESA has an absolute maximum supply voltage (VCC to VEE) rating of +6V. Operation above 5.5V is not recommended for reliable long-term performance, as the device is specified for 1.8V to 5.5V operation. Exceeding +6V may cause permanent damage, and operation between 5.5V and 6V falls outside guaranteed specifications.
Does MAX917ESA require external hysteresis for stable operation?
No, the MAX917ESA includes 4mV internal hysteresis, which prevents oscillation on slow or noisy input signals-eliminating the need for external positive feedback resistors in most battery-monitoring applications. External hysteresis can be added using three resistors if wider bands (e.g., 50mV) are required, as detailed in the MAX917ESA datasheet Figure 3.
Can the internal reference of MAX917ESA drive a 10kΩ load?
No-the MAX917ESA's internal 1.245V reference has ~200kΩ output impedance and is not designed to drive loads below 100kΩ. Driving a 10kΩ load would cause significant voltage droop (>100mV error). For such loads, buffer the reference with a low-input-bias-current op amp like the MAX406, or use the reference only for high-impedance comparator inputs.
Is MAX917ESA pin-compatible with other devices in the MAX917–MAX920 family?
No-MAX917ESA (8-pin SO) is not pin-compatible with the SOT23-5 variants (e.g., MAX917EUK+T). Pin 3 serves as both IN− and REF in the SO package, while SOT23-5 uses separate pins. The SO package has NC pins (1,5,8) absent in SOT23-5, and layout redesign is required for migration between packages.
What is the operating temperature range for MAX917ESA?
The MAX917ESA is fully specified and guaranteed over the industrial temperature range of −40°C to +85°C. All electrical characteristics-including supply current, offset voltage, reference accuracy, and propagation delay-are tested and bounded across this range, making it suitable for outdoor telemetry and portable medical equipment deployed globally.
MAX917ESA 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:
- Tube
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- Type:
- with Voltage Reference
- Number of Elements:
- 1
- Output Type:
- CMOS, Push-Pull, Rail-to-Rail
- Voltage - Supply, Single/Dual (±):
- 1.8V ~ 5.5V
- :
- 5mV @ 5V
- Voltage - Input Offset (Max):
- 0.001µA @ 5V
- Current - Input Bias (Max):
- 50mA
- Current - Output (Typ):
- 1.6µA
- Current - Quiescent (Max):
- 80dB PSRR
- CMRR, PSRR (Typ):
- 95µs
- Propagation Delay (Max):
- 4mV
- Hysteresis:
- -40°C ~ 85°C
- Operating Temperature:
- -
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- Surface Mount
- :
- 8-SOIC
MAX917ESA FAQ
1.How can I place an order for MAX917ESA through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for MAX917ESA 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 MAX917ESA reliable?
The price and inventory of MAX917ESA are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for MAX917ESA is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for MAX917ESA?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for MAX917ESA transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for MAX917ESA?
MAX917ESA orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your MAX917ESA 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 MAX917ESA?
For technical support, including MAX917ESA datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your MAX917ESA requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that MAX917ESA is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All MAX917ESA 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 MAX917ESA meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of MAX917ESA?
All MAX917ESA units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with MAX917ESA, 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 MAX917ESA part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for MAX917ESA:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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