MAX11046ECB+

The MAX11046ECB+ is an Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) that is part of the Data Acquisition family of electronics. The device is primarily applicable in the industrial, automotive and communications sectors. This article will explain the application fields and working principles of the MAX11046ECB+.

The MAX11046ECB+ is a 16-bit, low power A/D converter with integrated sample and hold. It contains two integrated delta-sigma modulators and enables ultrasonic power measurements with its built-in time gains of 50 and 400µV/dB. The multiplexed output allows for simultaneous measurement of both the real and imaginary components of complex power. This device has a dual-range input from 0-240mV to 0-5V. It is also fitted with up to five integrated voltage ranges as well as extremely wide bandwidth. The device operates from 1.8V supplies, making it ideal for low-power, battery-operated applications.

The MAX11046ECB+ offers accuracy of +/−1 LSB and a noise spacing capability of +/−0.006dB. It further offers up to 1.5MHz data rate, with selectable sinc or Butterworth filters. The sinc filter is an ideal low-pass filter for reducing any residual noise, and the Butterworth filter is an ideal band-pass filter, offering maximum flattening in the pass-band. Both these capabilities make the MAX11046ECB+ ideal for high performance applications where accurate measurement of wideband signals is needed.

In terms of its working principles, the MAX11046ECB+ integrates two delta-sigma modulator architectures in order to reduce the power consumption associated with A to D conversion. The dynamics of the A to D conversion are dependent on the operation of the modulators, which in turn rely on the underlying principles of noise shaping, delta-sigma aliasing and feedback in order to function properly. These principles have been vigorously employed within the MAX11046ECB+ to enable its relatively large dynamic range and associated device performance.

The delta-sigma modulator can be considered to be a one-bit, slightly oversampled A to D converter. It works on a noise shaping principle in which the signal is modulated and decimated to result in a higher resolution signal. This signal is then filtered and integrated. This principle allows for much higher signal oversampling, which significantly reduces noise and improves the signal-to-noise ratio of the device. Stated simply, it allows for the same signal to be represented more accurately.

The MAX11046ECB+ integrates two delta-sigma modulators and the principle of oversampling is applied to both of them. These modulators can be thought of as a pair of virtual 16-bit A-D converters, combined to yield a single 16-bit A-D converter. This integration of two modulators uses an oversampled architecture and a very high filtering resolution to improve the signal-to-noise ratio, allowing improved accuracy and functionality.

Overall, the MAX11046ECB+ is a 16-bit low power A/D converter with integrated sample and hold, and is applicable in the industrial, automotive and communications sectors. It has a dual-range input from 0-240mV to 0-5V and offers accuracy of +/–1 LSB. Additionally, it has two integrated delta-sigma modulators which utilize the underlying principles of noise shaping, delta-sigma aliasing and feedback to deliver an improved signal-to-noise ratio. In this way, the MAX11046ECB+ is an ideal device for high performance applications where accurate measurement of wideband signals is needed.