Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated MAX965ESA

Overview

The MAX965ESA from Maxim Integrated is a single, micropower, rail-to-rail input/output comparator with integrated 1.235V ±1.5% reference and programmable hysteresis. It operates from +1.6V to +5.5V, draws only 7–12 µA supply current, features open-drain output capable of sinking beyond VCC up to 6V, and is rated for -40°C to +85°C. It is used in ultra-low-voltage 2-cell battery-powered systems for precision threshold detection.

For engineers reviewing the MAX965ESA datasheet, MAX965ESA pinout, MAX965ESA application, or MAX965ESA equivalent, key selection criteria include its 1.6V minimum supply voltage, ±1mV to ±50mV programmable hysteresis range, rail-to-rail input common-mode range (–0.25V to VCC), 10 µs propagation delay at 50mV overdrive, and SO-8 package compatibility with space-constrained portable designs.

Technical Context

The MAX965ESA implements a low-voltage, slew-rate-controlled open-drain output stage enabling rail-to-rail operation with external pull-up while minimizing switching current. Its internal bandgap reference delivers 1.235V ±1.5% accuracy over 0°C to +85°C and sources up to 50 µA.

Input structure supports –0.25V to VCC common-mode range and tolerates continuous short-circuit faults to either rail. Hysteresis is programmable via the HYST pin using two external resistors referenced to the internal REF, enabling precise trip-point control from ±1mV to ±50mV.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

The MAX965ESA is housed in an 8-pin SO (Small Outline) package with standard 1.27 mm pitch, RoHS-compliant, and footprint-compatible with industry-standard SOIC-8 land patterns.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar comparator applications.

Compared with TLV3691IDBVR and MAX9062ASA+, the MAX965ESA uniquely combines micropower operation, integrated ±1.5% reference, and pin-programmable hysteresis in an SO-8 package-enabling compact, self-contained threshold detection without external components or layout compromises.

Availability

The MAX965ESA is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for 2-cell battery-powered systems, portable medical devices, and low-power industrial sensors requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges.

Supply support for MAX965ESA 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, mixed-signal, and power management ICs for demanding industrial, medical, and communications applications.

The MAX965ESA belongs to the MAX965–MAX970 family of micropower comparators engineered specifically for ultra-low-voltage, battery-constrained systems where rail-to-rail operation, internal reference, and programmable hysteresis are essential.

FAQ

What is the minimum operating supply voltage for the MAX965ESA?

The MAX965ESA is fully specified down to +1.6V. While it may function at voltages as low as +1.0V, performance degrades: reference accuracy falls outside specification, output sink capability diminishes, and propagation delay increases. For guaranteed operation across –40°C to +85°C, maintain VCC ≥ +1.6V. The MAX965ESA datasheet specifies 1.6V as the lower limit of guaranteed functionality.

Does the MAX965ESA require an external reference or hysteresis components?

The MAX965ESA integrates a 1.235V ±1.5% reference on the REF pin and supports programmable hysteresis via the HYST pin-eliminating the need for external reference ICs. However, to program hysteresis beyond the default ±1mV, two external resistors (R1 between REF and HYST, R2 between HYST and GND) are required. If fixed hysteresis suffices, connect HYST directly to REF. The MAX965ESA thus minimizes external components while retaining flexibility.

Can the MAX965ESA's open-drain output interface with a 5V logic system while powered from a 2-cell battery?

Yes. The MAX965ESA's open-drain output is rated to sink up to 6V above GND, allowing it to drive a 5V pull-up rail even when VCC is supplied from a 2-cell battery (e.g., 2.4V–3.2V). This enables seamless voltage-level translation without level-shifters. Ensure the pull-up resistor value is chosen to meet sink-current and rise-time requirements-typical values range from 10kΩ to 100kΩ. The MAX965ESA's output stage is explicitly designed for this mixed-supply interoperability.

What is the typical input offset voltage of the MAX965ESA over temperature?

The MAX965ESA has a maximum input offset voltage of 6.0 mV over the full –40°C to +85°C operating range. At +25°C, typical offset is ≤3.0 mV (SO package). Input offset drift is characterized in the datasheet's "Input Offset Voltage vs. Temperature" plot (Figure MAX965/70-TOC14a), showing <10 µV/°C variation across the range. This stability supports accurate threshold detection in battery-monitoring and sensor-interface applications where drift must remain within tight bounds. The MAX965ESA's offset spec is guaranteed and tested.

How does the HYST pin function in the MAX965ESA, and what is its voltage range?

The HYST pin on the MAX965ESA accepts voltages from (VREF – 50mV) to VREF, enabling programmable hysteresis from ±1mV to ±50mV. When configured with external resistors R1 and R2, the hysteresis band equals approximately twice the voltage difference between HYST and REF. The pin draws minimal leakage current (±10 nA), ensuring minimal loading on the reference. Connecting HYST directly to REF sets the default ±1mV hysteresis. This architecture gives designers precise, predictable control over noise immunity without altering the comparator's core topology. The MAX965ESA's HYST implementation is unique to the MAX965/MAX967/MAX968/MAX969 variants.