The MAX104 PECL-compatible, 1Gsps, 8-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) allows accurate digitizing of analog signals with bandwidths to 2.2GHz. Fabricated on Maxim's proprietary advanced GST-2 bipolar process, the MAX104 integrates a high-performance track/hold (T/H) amplifier and a quantizer on a single monolithic die.

The innovative design of the internal T/H, which has an exceptionally wide 2.2GHz full-power input bandwidth, results in high performance (greater than 7.5 effective bits) at the Nyquist frequency. A fully differential comparator design and decoding circuitry reduce out-of-sequence code errors (thermometer bubbles or sparkle codes) and provide excellent metastable performance of one error per 10¹⁶ clock cycles. Unlike other ADCs that can have errors resulting in false full- or zero-scale outputs, the MAX104 limits the error magnitude to 1 LSB.

The analog input is designed for either differential or single-ended use with a ±250mV input voltage range. Dual, differential, PECL-compatible output data paths ensure easy interfacing and include an 8:16 demultiplexer feature that reduces output data rates to one-half the sampling clock rate. The PECL outputs can be operated from any supply between +3V to +5V for compatibility with +3.3V or +5V referenced systems. Control inputs are provided for interleaving additional MAX104 devices to increase the effective system sampling rate.

The MAX104 is packaged in a 25mm x 25mm, 192-contact Enhanced Super-Ball Grid Array (ESBGA™) and is specified over the commercial (0°C to +70°C) temperature range.