Input architecture and signal conditioning
The MAX1403EAI+: The input multiplexer supports three differential or five pseudo-differential channels, giving flexibility to scan multiple sensor pairs or single-ended signals against a common return. The on-chip PGA amplifies low-level signals before conversion, reducing the need for external gain stages and preserving the 18-bit dynamic range. The sigma-delta architecture oversamples the input and shapes quantization noise out of the band of interest, achieving high resolution without the matching demands of a successive-approximation converter. An external voltage reference sets the full-scale range, so the reference noise and drift directly affect the measurement accuracy.
Supply, interface, and temperature grade
The SPI-compatible serial interface connects directly to a microcontroller or DSP with minimal pin count — four wires (SCLK, DIN, DOUT, CS) handle all configuration and data transfer. The SSOP-28 body (5.30 mm wide) fits on a two-layer board with a standard 0.65 mm pitch footprint.
The tube packaging suits low-volume assembly and prototyping — the devices are aligned in a conductive anti-static tube that feeds directly into a pick-and-place feeder or manual placement station.