MAX5851
Dual, 8-Bit, 80Msps, Current-Output DAC
16 ______________________________________________________________________________________
*Vias connect the land pattern to internal or external copper planes.
power-supply, and ground connections, which can 
affect dynamic specifications, like signal-to-noise ratio 
or spurious-free dynamic range. In addition, electromagnetic interference (EMI) can either couple into or 
be generated by the MAX5851. Observe the grounding 
and power-supply decoupling guidelines for highspeed, high-frequency applications. Follow the powersupply and filter configuration to realize optimum 
dynamic performance.
Use of a multilayer printed circuit (PC) board with separate ground and power-supply planes is recommended. Run high-speed signals on lines directly above the 
ground plane. The MAX5851 has separate analog and 
digital ground buses (AGND, CGND, and DGND, 
respectively). Provide separate analog, digital, and 
clock ground sections on the PC board with only one 
point connecting the three planes. The ground connection points should be located underneath the device 
and connected to the exposed paddle. Run digital signals above the digital ground plane and analog/clock 
signals above the analog/clock ground plane. Digital 
signals should be kept away from sensitive analog, 
clock, and reference inputs. Keep digital signal paths 
short and metal trace lengths matched to avoid propagation delay and data skew mismatch. 
The MAX5851 includes three separate power-supply 
inputs: analog (AV
DD
), digital (DVDD), and clock
(CV
DD
). Use a single linear regulator power source to 
branch out to three separate power-supply lines (AVDD, 
DV
DD
, CVDD) and returns (AGND, DGND, CGND). 
Filter each power-supply line to the respective return 
line using LC filters comprising ferrite beads and 10µF 
capacitors. Filter each supply input locally with 0.1µF 
ceramic capacitors to the respective return lines.
Note: To maintain the dynamic performance of the 
Electrical Characteristics, ensure the voltage difference between DV
DD
, AVDD, and CVDDdoes not
exceed 150mV.
Thermal Characteristics and Packaging
Thermal Resistance
40-lead thin QFN-EP:
θ
JA 
= 38°C/W
The MAX5851 is packaged in a 40-pin thin QFN-EP 
package, providing greater design flexibility, increased 
thermal efficiency, and optimized AC performance of 
the DAC. The EP enables the implementation of 
grounding techniques, which are necessary to ensure 
highest performance operation. 
In this package, the data converter die is attached to an 
EP lead frame with the back of this frame exposed at the 
package bottom surface, facing the PC board side of 
the package. This allows a solid attachment of the package to the PC board with standard infrared (IR) flow soldering techniques. A specially created land pattern on 
the PC board, matching the size of the EP (4.1mm 
✕
4.1mm), ensures the proper attachment and grounding 
of the DAC. Designing vias* into the land area and 
implementing large ground planes in the PC board 
design allows for highest performance operation of the 
DAC. Use an array of 3 
✕ 3 vias (≤0.3mm diameter per
via hole and 1.2mm pitch between via holes) for this 40pin thin QFN-EP package (package code: T4066-1). 
Dynamic Performance
Parameter Definitions
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)
THD is the ratio of the RMS sum of all essential harmonics (within a Nyquist window) of the input signal to the 
fundamental itself. This can be expressed as:
where V1is the fundamental amplitude, and V2through 
VNare the amplitudes of the 2nd through Nth order harmonics. The MAX5851 uses the first seven harmonics 
for this calculation.
Spurious-Free Dynamic Range (SFDR)
SFDR is the ratio of RMS amplitude of the carrier frequency (maximum signal component) to the RMS value 
of their next-largest spectral component. SFDR is usually measured in dBc with respect to the carrier frequency amplitude or in dBFS with respect to the DAC’s 
full-scale range. Depending on its test condition, SFDR 
is observed within a predefined window or to Nyquist.
Multitone Power Ratio (MTPR)
A series of equally spaced tones are applied to the DAC 
with one tone removed from the center of the range. 
MTPR is defined as the worst-case distortion (usually a 
3rd-order harmonic product of the fundamental frequencies), which appears as the largest spur at the frequency 
of the missing tone in the sequence. This test can be performed with any number of input tones; however, four and 
eight tones are among the most common test conditions 
for CDMA- and GSM/EDGE-type applications.