What this LVDS driver does on the board
The MAX9110EKA+T is a single LVDS driver — it takes a single-ended CMOS/LVTTL input and converts it to a differential LVDS output pair, rated for 500 Mbps serial data. With one driver and no receiver on chip, it is a pure transmit path; the receiving end needs a separate LVDS receiver like the MAX9111 or similar.
Package and board-fit realities
Housed in an 8-lead SOT-23, the package is compact but demands careful PCB layout for the differential pair — keep the trace pair tightly coupled and impedance-controlled to 100 Ω differential to preserve signal integrity at 500 Mbps. Surface-mount only; the small footprint suits dense designs but limits thermal dissipation — the driver's output current is modest, so self-heating is not a concern in normal operation.