SOT23, 1.8V, Nanopower, Beyond-the-Rails Comparators With/Without ReferenceOutput Stage Circuitry The MAX917–MAX920 contain a unique break-before- VCC make output stage capable of rail-to-rail operation with up to ±8mA loads. Many comparators consume orders of magnitude more current during switching than dur- 120nA ing steady-state operation. However, with this family of comparators, the supply-current change during an out- REF put transition is extremely small. In the Typical Oper- ating Characteristics, the Supply Current vs. Output Transition Frequency graphs show the minimal supply- current increase as the output switching frequency approaches 1kHz. This characteristic reduces the need VEE for power-supply filter capacitors to reduce glitches created by comparator switching currents. In battery- powered applications, this characteristic results in a Figure 1. MAX917/MAX918 Voltage Reference Output substantial increase in battery life. Equivalent Circuit MAX917–MAX920Reference (MAX917/MAX918)Internal Hysteresis The internal reference in the MAX917/MAX918 has an Many comparators oscillate in the linear region of oper- output voltage of +1.245V with respect to VEE. Its typi- ation because of noise or undesired parasitic feed- cal temperature coefficient is 95ppm/°C over the full back. This tends to occur when the voltage on one -40°C to +85°C temperature range. The reference is a input is equal or very close to the voltage on the other PNP emitter-follower driven by a 120nA current source input. The MAX917–MAX920 have internal hysteresis to (Figure 1). The output impedance of the voltage refer- counter parasitic effects and noise. ence is typically 200kΩ, preventing the reference from driving large loads. The reference can be bypassed The hysteresis in a comparator creates two trip points: with a low-leakage capacitor. The reference is stable one for the rising input voltage (VTHR) and one for the for any capacitive load. For applications requiring a falling input voltage (VTHF) (Figure 2). The difference lower output impedance, buffer the reference with a between the trip points is the hysteresis (VHB). When low-input-leakage op amp, such as the MAX406. the comparator’s input voltages are equal, the hystere- sis effectively causes one comparator input to move Applications Information quickly past the other, thus taking the input out of the region where oscillation occurs. Figure 2 illustrates the Low-Voltage, Low-Power Operation case in which IN- has a fixed voltage applied, and IN+ The MAX917–MAX920 are ideally suited for use with most is varied. If the inputs were reversed, the figure would battery-powered systems. Table 1 lists a variety of battery be the same, except with an inverted output. types, capacities, and approximate operating times for the MAX917–MAX920, assuming nominal conditions. Table 1. Battery Applications Using MAX917–MAX920CAPACITY,MAX917/MAX918MAX919/MAX920BATTERYVFRESHVEND-OF-LIFERECHARGEABLEAA SIZEOPERATING TIMEOPERATING TIMETYPE(V)(V)(mA-h)(hr)(hr) Alkaline No 3.0 1.8 2000 2.5 x 106 5 x 106 (2 Cells) Nickel-Cadmium Yes 2.4 1.8 750 937,500 1.875 x 106 (2 Cells) Lithium-Ion Yes 3.5 2.7 1000 1.25 x 106 2.5 x 106 (1 Cell) Nickel-Metal- Hydride Yes 2.4 1.8 1000 1.25 x 106 2.5 x 106 (2 Cells) 10______________________________________________________________________________________