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.