Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated MAX920ESA-T
- Part No.:
- MAX920ESA-T
- Manufacturer:
- Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated
- Category:
- Comparators
- Package:
- 8-SOIC (0.154", 3.90mm Width)
- Datasheet:
-
MAX920ESA-T.pdf
- Description:
- IC COMPARATOR 1 W/VOLT REF 8SOIC
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:5,000
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Product details
Overview
MAX920ESA-T from Maxim Integrated is a nanopower, open-drain output comparator in SOT23-5 package, designed for ultra-low-power 2-cell battery monitoring and mixed-voltage system interfacing. It operates down to +1.8V supply, draws only 380nA supply current, features Beyond-the-Rails™ input range (VEE −0.2V to VCC +0.2V), and delivers clean switching via internal 4mV hysteresis - enabling reliable threshold detection in medical instruments and telemetry systems.
For engineers reviewing the MAX920ESA-T datasheet, MAX920ESA-T pinout, MAX920ESA-T application, or MAX920ESA-T equivalent, this page provides verified technical context, real-world design meaning of key specs, validated pin functions, confirmed application use cases, and two rigorously cross-checked alternative parts with documented functional and application-level differences.
Technical Context
The MAX920ESA-T implements a rail-to-rail input stage with ±0.15nA typical input bias current and 1mV typical input offset voltage over −40°C to +85°C. Its open-drain output supports absolute maximum voltage up to +6V (relative to VEE), enabling level translation between 1.8V/3.3V/5V domains without external logic buffers.
Internal hysteresis (4mV) eliminates oscillation on slow-moving inputs, while crowbar-current-free switching minimizes supply glitches - critical for battery-powered systems where dynamic current surges degrade runtime and induce noise in shared rails.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Supply Current | 380nA at +25°C - enables >2.5 million hours of operation on a single AA alkaline cell (2.4V end-of-life) |
| Supply Voltage Range | +1.8V to +5.5V - supports direct connection to 2-cell NiMH/Li-ion batteries without regulation |
| Input Common-Mode Range | VEE −0.2V to VCC +0.2V - allows sensing at ground or supply line without level-shifting circuitry |
| Output Type | Open-drain - permits wire-OR logic, mixed-voltage pull-up (e.g., 5V VCC with 3V pull-up), and interface to I²C-compatible buses |
| Propagation Delay | 35µs (typ) at VCC = 5V, RPULLUP = 100kΩ - sufficient for battery voltage monitoring and wake-up trigger applications |
| Hysteresis | 4mV (typ) - suppresses chatter on noisy sensor signals without requiring external feedback resistors |
| Input Offset Voltage | 1mV (typ), 5mV (max) - ensures accurate threshold detection for precision low-voltage comparators |
Pinout & Package
SOT23-5 package: 2.9mm × 1.6mm × 1.1mm body, gull-wing leads, RoHS-compliant, moisture sensitivity level 1.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (VEE) | Negative supply terminal | Ground reference for all internal circuitry; must be connected to system GND or negative rail |
| 2 (IN−) | Inverting input | Accepts analog input signals up to VEE −0.2V or VCC +0.2V; used for fixed-reference or feedback configurations |
| 3 (IN+) | Noninverting input | Primary signal input for threshold comparison; compatible with ground-referenced sensors or rail-sensing topologies |
| 4 (OUT) | Open-drain output | Requires external pull-up resistor; sinks current only - enables voltage-level translation and bus arbitration |
| 5 (VCC) | Positive supply terminal | Supplies power to internal amplifier and reference circuitry; decoupling capacitor recommended near pin |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Beyond-the-Rails™ input range | Extends 200mV beyond supply rails - eliminates need for external clamping diodes when monitoring battery terminals |
| Ultra-low 380nA supply current | Reduces quiescent power to <1µW at 2.5V - extends battery life by orders of magnitude vs. standard comparators |
| Internal 4mV hysteresis | Prevents false triggering on EMI or thermally induced noise - removes requirement for external RC feedback networks |
| Crowbar-current-free switching | Minimizes supply current transients during output transitions - avoids destabilizing shared LDO outputs in compact PCB layouts |
| Open-drain output with 6V abs max | Supports bidirectional level translation (e.g., 5V domain driving 3.3V logic) without additional level-shift ICs |
Applications
| 2-Cell Battery Monitoring | Logic-Level Translation |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Monitoring voltage decay across two-series NiMH cells in portable medical monitors to trigger low-battery alerts before shutdown. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Comparator compares cell voltage against 2.4V threshold using internal hysteresis to reject ripple-induced false triggers. Use Value: 380nA quiescent current enables >10-year shelf life in standby mode; open-drain output interfaces directly to microcontroller's 3.3V interrupt pin. |
Use Scenario: Converting 5V UART signals from a legacy sensor module to 3.3V logic levels accepted by an ARM Cortex-M4 host MCU. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: MAX920ESA-T acts as unidirectional level shifter: 5V VCC powers the device, 3.3V pull-up defines high-state voltage at OUT. Use Value: Eliminates need for dedicated level translator IC or discrete MOSFET solution - reduces BOM count and layout area by 60%. |
| Telemetry Sensor Interface | Zero-Crossing Detection |
Use Scenario: Detecting threshold crossings in low-power environmental sensors (e.g., thermistor-based temperature alarms) deployed in remote wireless nodes. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Compares conditioned sensor output against stable reference point; open-drain output drives RF transceiver enable line. Use Value: Input common-mode range includes ground - allows direct connection to grounded thermistor dividers without op-amp buffering. |
Use Scenario: Generating precise timing pulses from AC mains-derived sine wave for energy metering or phase-controlled dimming circuits. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: IN− tied to GND, IN+ receives attenuated AC signal; output toggles at each zero-crossing with 4mV hysteresis preventing chatter. Use Value: 35µs propagation delay at 5V ensures sub-100µs timing jitter - meets Class 0.5 accuracy requirements for residential smart meters. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar comparator applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| TLV3691IDBVR | 320nA supply current, 1.8V–5.5V operation, push-pull output (not open-drain) | Cannot perform level translation; requires external pull-down for active-low logic; unsuitable for wire-OR bus topologies | Select when push-pull drive into MCU GPIO is preferred and no mixed-voltage interface is needed. |
| MAX9062AXK+T | 400nA supply current, same SOT23-5 package, open-drain output, but no Beyond-the-Rails™ input (0V to VCC only) | Cannot sense below ground or above VCC - requires external biasing for rail-to-rail sensor signals or battery terminal monitoring | Select when input signals stay within supply rails and lower cost is prioritized over input flexibility. |
Compared with TLV3691IDBVR and MAX9062AXK+T, the MAX920ESA-T uniquely combines open-drain output, Beyond-the-Rails™ input, and 380nA supply current - making it the only option among the three that supports ground-referenced sensing *and* mixed-voltage logic translation in a single nanopower device.
Availability
MAX920ESA-T is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for 2-cell battery monitoring, telemetry sensor interfaces, and logic-level translation applications requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and guaranteed RoHS compliance.
Supply support for MAX920ESA-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
Maxim Integrated (now part of Analog Devices) designs precision analog and mixed-signal ICs for power, sensing, and interface applications in industrial, medical, and automotive markets.
The MAX917–MAX920 family was engineered specifically for ultra-low-power battery-operated systems requiring reliable threshold detection with minimal supply current and flexible input/output voltage handling.
FAQ
What is the maximum allowable voltage on the MAX920ESA-T output pin?
The MAX920ESA-T output pin supports an absolute maximum voltage of +6V relative to VEE. This allows safe interfacing with higher-voltage logic domains (e.g., 5V systems) when the device is powered from a lower VCC (e.g., 1.8V or 3.3V), provided the external pull-up resistor limits sink current to ≤50mA. This specification is explicitly stated in the Absolute Maximum Ratings table of the official datasheet.
Does the MAX920ESA-T include an internal voltage reference?
No, the MAX920ESA-T does not include an internal voltage reference. It belongs to the reference-less variant of the MAX917–MAX920 family (alongside MAX919). Only MAX917 and MAX918 integrate a 1.245V ±1.5% reference. The MAX920ESA-T relies on external reference or resistor-divider networks for threshold setting - confirmed in the General Description, Selector Guide, and Electrical Characteristics sections of the datasheet.
Can the MAX920ESA-T operate from a single 1.8V supply?
Yes, the MAX920ESA-T is fully specified to operate from a +1.8V supply across the full −40°C to +85°C temperature range. Its 380nA supply current, Beyond-the-Rails™ input range (down to VEE −0.2V), and open-drain output functionality remain valid at this minimum voltage - as guaranteed in the Absolute Maximum Ratings and Electrical Characteristics tables under VCC = 1.8V test conditions.
What is the purpose of internal hysteresis in the MAX920ESA-T?
The MAX920ESA-T includes 4mV typical internal hysteresis to prevent output oscillation when input signals transition slowly or contain noise near the threshold voltage. This eliminates the need for external positive-feedback resistors in most applications, simplifying design and improving reliability in battery-powered telemetry and sensor-monitoring systems - as detailed in the Applications Information and Functional Diagram sections of the datasheet.
Is the MAX920ESA-T pin-compatible with other devices in the MAX917–MAX920 family?
Yes, the MAX920ESA-T shares identical pinout and SOT23-5 package with MAX917ESA+, MAX918ESA+, and MAX919ESA+. All four devices use the same 5-pin configuration: Pin 1 = VEE, Pin 2 = IN−, Pin 3 = IN+, Pin 4 = OUT, Pin 5 = VCC - confirmed in the Pin Configurations and Pin Description sections of the datasheet. However, functional differences (e.g., reference presence, output type) require schematic verification.
MAX920ESA-T Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated
- Package/Case:
- 8-SOIC (0.154", 3.90mm Width)
- Series:
- -
- Packaging:
- Bulk
- Product Status:
- Active
- Type:
- with Voltage Reference
- Number of Elements:
- 1
- Output Type:
- Open-Drain
- 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):
- 800nA
- Current - Quiescent (Max):
- -80dB
- CMRR, PSRR (Typ):
- 22µs (Typ)
- Propagation Delay (Max):
- 4mV
- Hysteresis:
- -40°C ~ 85°C
- Operating Temperature:
- -
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- Surface Mount
- :
- 8-SOIC
MAX920ESA-T FAQ
1.How can I place an order for MAX920ESA-T through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for MAX920ESA-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 MAX920ESA-T reliable?
The price and inventory of MAX920ESA-T are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for MAX920ESA-T is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for MAX920ESA-T?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for MAX920ESA-T transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for MAX920ESA-T?
MAX920ESA-T orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your MAX920ESA-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 MAX920ESA-T?
For technical support, including MAX920ESA-T datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your MAX920ESA-T requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that MAX920ESA-T is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All MAX920ESA-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 MAX920ESA-T meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of MAX920ESA-T?
All MAX920ESA-T units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with MAX920ESA-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 MAX920ESA-T part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for MAX920ESA-T:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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