Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated MAX941ESA-T

Overview

The MAX941ESA-T from Maxim Integrated is a single high-speed rail-to-rail input comparator optimized for 3V/5V single-supply systems, featuring 80ns propagation delay, 350μA supply current per comparator, and internal hysteresis - used in battery-powered threshold detection and zero-crossing circuits.

For engineers reviewing the MAX941ESA-T datasheet, MAX941ESA-T pinout, MAX941ESA-T application, or MAX941ESA-T equivalent, key selection criteria include its -40°C to +85°C temperature range, SO-8 package, latch/shutdown functionality, and CMOS/TTL-compatible output swing within 0.4V of rails.

Technical Context

The MAX941ESA-T implements a bipolar-input comparator architecture with rail-to-rail common-mode input range extending beyond both V+ and GND, enabling direct interface with sensors operating near supply rails. Its internal hysteresis (1mV typical) eliminates need for external feedback resistors while ensuring clean switching on slow-moving inputs.

It integrates dedicated LATCH and SHDN control pins - active-high logic enables transparent operation or latched output storage, while shutdown reduces supply current to ≤60μA and places output in high-impedance state. Output stage delivers 400μA sourcing/sinking capability without external pullups.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MAX941ESA-T is housed in an 8-pin SO (Small Outline) package, 3.9mm × 4.9mm body, 1.27mm pitch, RoHS-compliant, moisture sensitivity level 1.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar high-speed, low-power comparator applications.

Compared with LMV7215M5X and TLV3201DBVR, the MAX941ESA-T uniquely combines latch, shutdown, rail-to-rail input below GND, and fixed hysteresis in an SO-8 package - reducing BOM count and PCB area in space-constrained, low-power sensing systems.

Availability

MAX941ESA-T is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for battery-powered systems, threshold detectors, and zero-crossing circuits requiring stable component supply across industrial temperature ranges.

Supply support for MAX941ESA-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) is a semiconductor company specializing in precision analog, mixed-signal, and high-performance power management ICs.

The MAX941ESA-T belongs to Maxim's high-speed comparator product line, designed specifically for low-voltage, low-power, rail-to-rail sensing and interface applications in portable and industrial electronics.

FAQ

What is the operating temperature range for the MAX941ESA-T?

The MAX941ESA-T is rated for -40°C to +85°C ambient operation, validated across this full range for all key parameters including propagation delay, offset voltage, and supply current. This makes it suitable for industrial and automotive under-hood environments where thermal stability is critical. The "E" grade designation in the part number explicitly confirms this extended temperature qualification.

Does the MAX941ESA-T require external pull-up resistors on its output?

No, the MAX941ESA-T does not require external pull-up resistors. Its output stage actively drives high to within 0.4V of V+ and low to within 0.4V of GND under 4mA load, making it fully compatible with CMOS and TTL logic families. This rail-to-rail output swing eliminates external components and simplifies board layout compared to open-drain comparators.

How does the LATCH pin function on the MAX941ESA-T?

The LATCH pin on the MAX941ESA-T controls output transparency: when driven high, the comparator output updates in real time; when pulled low, the current output state is stored and held regardless of subsequent input changes. This enables synchronous sampling in microcontroller-based systems and eliminates metastability during read cycles - a core capability absent in most single comparators.

Can the MAX941ESA-T operate from a 2.7V supply?

Yes, the MAX941ESA-T is fully specified down to 2.7V supply voltage, with guaranteed performance including 80ns propagation delay, 350μA supply current, and rail-to-rail input operation. This enables direct use with single-cell Li-ion batteries (2.7–4.2V) and 2.8V/3.0V logic domains without regulators or level shifters - a key advantage for ultra-low-power portable designs.

What protection features does the MAX941ESA-T include on its input pins?

The MAX941ESA-T includes robust input protection: back-to-back clamp diodes between IN+ and IN− limit differential voltage to ~1.4V, and 4.1kΩ series resistors limit fault current. All input pins tolerate continuous short-circuit to either supply rail, and the common-mode range extends to -0.2V and V+ + 0.2V - enabling safe interface with transducers, op-amp outputs, and noisy industrial signals without external protection circuitry.