
General Description
The MAX9156 is an LVPECL-to-LVDS level translator
that accepts a single LVPECL input and translates it to
a single LVDS output. It is ideal for interfacing between
LVPECL and LVDS interfaces in systems that require
minimum jitter, noise, power, and space.
Ultra-low, 23ps
p-p
added deterministic jitter and
0.6ps
RMS
added random jitter ensure reliable communication in high-speed links that are highly sensitive to
timing errors, especially those incorporating clock-anddata recovery, PLLs, serializers, or deserializers. The
MAX9156’s switching performance guarantees a
200Mbps data rate, but minimizes radiated noise by
guaranteeing 0.5ns minimum output transition time.
The MAX9156 operates from a single +3.3V supply and
consumes only 10mA supply current over a -40°C to
+85°C temperature range. It is available in a tiny 6-pin
SC70 package (half the size of a SOT23). Refer to the
MAX9155 data sheet for a low-jitter, low-noise LVDS
repeater in an SC70 package.
Applications
Digital Cross-Connects
Add/Drop Muxes
Network Switches/Routers
Cellular Phone Base Stations
DSLAMs
Multidrop Buses
Features
♦ Tiny SC70 Package
♦ Ultra-Low Jitter
23ps
p-p
Added Deterministic Jitter
(2
23
-1 PRBS)
0.6ps
RMS
Added Random Jitter
♦ 0.5ns (min) Transition Time Minimizes Radiated
Noise
♦ 200Mbps Guaranteed Data Rate
♦ Low 10mA Supply Current
♦ Output Conforms to ANSI/EIA/TIA-644 LVDS
Standard
♦ High-Impedance Inputs and Outputs in
Power-Down Mode
MAX9156
Low-Jitter, Low-Noise LVPECL-to-LVDS Level
Translator in an SC70 Package
________________________________________________________________ Maxim Integrated Products 1
Pin Configuration
19-2216; Rev 0; 10/01
For pricing, delivery, and ordering information, please contact Maxim/Dallas Direct! at
1-888-629-4642, or visit Maxim’s website at www.maxim-ic.com.
Ordering Information
Typical Operating Circuit
PART TEMP. RANGE
MAX9156EXT-T -40°C to +85°C 6 SC70-6 ABD
PIN -
PA C K A G E
TOP
M ARK
TOP VIEW
V
CC
OUT-
GND
LVPECL
DRIVER
3.3V
IN+
IN-
MAX9156
GND
OUT+
OUT-
LVDS
SIGNALS
MAX9156
1 6 OUT+
2
34
SC70
5V
CC
IN+IN-

MAX9156
Low-Jitter, Low-Noise LVPECL-to-LVDS Level
Translator in an SC70 Package
2 _______________________________________________________________________________________
ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS
Stresses beyond those listed under “Absolute Maximum Ratings” may cause permanent damage to the device. These are stress ratings only, and functional
operation of the device at these or any other conditions beyond those indicated in the operational sections of the specifications is not implied. Exposure to
absolute maximum rating conditions for extended periods may affect device reliability.
VCCto GND...........................................................-0.3V to +4.0V
IN+, IN- to GND.....................................................-0.3V to +4.0V
OUT+, OUT- to GND .............................................-0.3V to +4.0V
Short-Circuit Duration (OUT+, OUT-) .........................Continuous
Continuous Power Dissipation (T
A
= +70°C)
6-Pin SC70 (derate 3.1mW/°C above +70°C)..............245mW
Storage Temperature Range .............................-65°C to +150°C
Junction Temperature......................................................+150°C
Operating Temperature Range ...........................-40°C to +85°C
ESD Protection
Human Body Model, IN+, IN-, OUT+, OUT- ....................±8kV
Lead Temperature (soldering, 10s) .................................+300°C
DC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
(VCC= +3.0V to +3.6V, RL= 100Ω ±1%, |V
ID
|
= 0.05V to VCC, VCM= |VID/ 2|to VCC- |VID/ 2|, TA= -40°C to +85°C, unless otherwise
noted. Typical values at V
CC
= +3.3V, TA= +25°C.) (Notes 1, 2)
LVPECL INPUT
Differential Input High Threshold V
Differential Input Low Threshold V
Input Resistor R
Input Current I
Power-Off Input Current I
LVDS OUTPUT
Differential Output Voltage V
Differential Output Voltage ∆V
Offset (Common-Mode) Voltage V
Change in VOS for
Complementary Output States
Output High Voltage V
Output Low Voltage V
Differential Output Voltage V
Power-Off Output Leakage
Current
Differential Output Resistance RO
Output Short Current I
POWER SUPPLY
Supply Current I
PARAMETER SYMBOL CONDITIONS MIN TYP MAX U N I T S
TH
TL
Figure 1 360 1328 kΩ
IN
IN+ = 3.6V, IN- = 0 -10 2.7 10
, I
IN+
IN-
IN+ = 0, IN- = 3.6V -10 2.7 10
, I
IN+
OD
OD
OS
∆V
OS
OH
OL
OD+
IO
OFF
DIFFVCC
SC
CC
VCC = 0,
IN-
Figure 1
Figure 2 250 360 450 mV
Figure 2 0.008 25 mV
Figure 2 1.125 1.25 1.375 V
Figure 2 0.005 25 mV
IN+, IN- open +250 +360 +450 mV
VCC = 0
= +3.6V or 0 100 260 400 Ω
VID = +50mV, OUT+ = GND -5 -15
VID = -50mV, OUT- = GND -5 -15
750mV
-50 -7 mV
IN+ = 3.6V, IN- = 0 -10 2.7 10
IN+ = 0, IN- = 3.6V -10 2.7 10
1.44 1.6 V
0.9 1.08 V
O U T+ = 3.6V , other outp ut op en -10 0.02 10
O U T- = 3.6V , other outp ut op en -10 0.02 10
10 15 mA
µA
µA
µA
mA

MAX9156
Low-Jitter, Low-Noise LVPECL-to-LVDS Level
Translator in an SC70 Package
_______________________________________________________________________________________ 3
Note 1: All devices are 100% tested at TA= +25°C. Limits over temperature are guaranteed by design and characterization.
Note 2: Current into a pin is defined as positive. Current out of a pin is defined as negative. All voltages are referenced to ground
except V
TH
, VTL, VOD, and ∆VOD.
Note 3: Guaranteed by design and characterization.
Note 4: Signal generator output (unless otherwise noted): frequency = 100MHz, 50% duty cycle, R
O
= 50Ω, tR= 1.5ns, and tF=
1.5ns (0% to 100%).
Note 5: C
L
includes scope probe and test jig capacitance.
Note 6: Signal generator output for t
DJ
: VOD= 150mV, VOS= 1.2V, tDJincludes pulse (duty cycle) skew.
Note 7: Signal generator output for t
RJ
: VOD= 150mV, VOS= 1.2V.
Note 8: t
SKPP1
is the magnitude difference of any differential propagation delays between devices operating over rated conditions
at the same supply voltage, input common-mode voltage, and ambient temperature.
Note 9: t
SKPP2
is the magnitude difference of any differential propagation delays between devices operating over rated conditions.
Note 10: Device meets V
OD
DC specification and AC specifications while operating at f
MAX
.
Note 11: Jitter added to the input signal.
AC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
(VCC= +3.0V to +3.6V, RL= 100Ω ±1%, CL= 10pF, |V
ID
|
= 0.15V to VCC, VCM= |VID/ 2|to VCC- |VID/ 2|, TA= -40°C to +85°C, unless
otherwise noted. Typical values at V
CC
= +3.3V, TA= +25°C.) (Notes 3, 4, 5) (Figures 3, 4)
Differential Propagation Delay High
to Low
Differential Propagation Delay Low to
High
Added Deterministic Jitter
(Notes 6, 11)
Added Random Jitter (Notes 7, 11) t
Differential Part-to-Part Skew (Note 8) t
Differential Part-to-Part Skew (Note 9) t
Switching Supply Current I
Rise Time t
Fall Time t
Input Frequency (Note 10) f
PARAMETER SYMBOL CONDITIONS MIN TYP MAX U N I T S
t
PHLD
t
PLHD
t
DJ
RJ
SKPP1
SKPP2
CCSW
TLH
THL
MAX
1.3 2.0 2.8 ns
1.3 2.0 2.8 ns
200Mbps 223-1 PRBS data pattern 23 100 ps
fIN = 100MHz 0.6 2.9 ps
0.17 0.6 ns
1.5 ns
11.3 18 mA
0.5 0.66 1.0 ns
0.5 0.64 1.0 ns
100 MHz
RMS

MAX9156
Low-Jitter, Low-Noise LVPECL-to-LVDS Level
Translator in an SC70 Package
4 _______________________________________________________________________________________
Typical Operating Characteristics
(VCC= +3.3V, RL= 100Ω ±1%, CL= 10pF, |V
ID
|
= 0.2V, VCM= 1.2V, TA= +25°C, unless otherwise noted. Signal generator output:
frequency = 100MHz, 50% duty cycle, R
O
= 50Ω, tR= 1.5ns, and tF= 1.5ns (0% to 100%), unless otherwise noted.)
SUPPLY CURRENT
21
18
15
12
9
6
SUPPLY CURRRENT (mA)
3
0
VS. INPUT FREQUENCY
0 10050 150 20025 12575 175 225 250
INPUT FREQUENCY (MHz)
OUTPUT SHORT-CIRCUIT CURRENT
5.10
5.09
5.08
5.07
5.06
OUTPUT SHORT-CIRCUIT CURRENT (mA)
5.05
3.0 3.23.1 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6
VS. SUPPLY VOLTAGE
SUPPLY VOLTAGE (V)
12.00
11.75
MAX9156 toc01
11.50
11.25
11.00
10.75
SUPPLY CURRENT (mA)
10.50
10.25
10.00
SWITCHING SUPPLY CURRENT
VS. TEMPERATURE
MAX9156 toc02
-40 -15 10 35 60 85
TEMPERATURE (°C)
MAX9156 toc03
OUTPUT LOW VOLTAGE
1.12
1.11
1.10
1.09
1.08
1.07
OUTPUT LOW VOLTAGE (V)
1.06
1.05
3.0 3.23.1 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6
VS. SUPPLY VOLTAGE
SUPPLY VOLTAGE (V)
DIFFERENTIAL PROPAGATION DELAY
2.5
2.3
2.1
1.9
1.7
DIFFERENTIAL PROPAGATION DELAY (ns)
1.5
-40 10-15 35 60 85
VS. TEMPERATURE
TEMPERATURE (°C)
t
PLHD
t
PHLD
1.550
1.525
MAX9156 toc04
1.500
1.475
1.450
1.425
OUTPUT HIGH VOLTAGE (V)
1.400
1.375
1.350
3.0 3.23.1 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6
MAX9156 toc07
OUTPUT HIGH VOLTAGE
VS. SUPPLY VOLTAGE
SUPPLY VOLTAGE (V)
DIFFERENTIAL PROPAGATION DELAY
2.1
MAX9156 toc05
2.0
1.9
1.8
DIFFERENTIAL PROPAGATION DELAY (ns)
1.7
3.0 3.33.1 3.2 3.4 3.5 3.6
VS. SUPPLY VOLTAGE
SUPPLY VOLTAGE (V)
TRANSITION TIME
750
725
700
675
650
625
TRANSITION TIME (ps)
600
575
550
3.0 3.23.1 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6
VS. SUPPLY VOLTAGE
SUPPLY VOLTAGE (V)
t
PLHD
t
PHLD
t
THL
MAX9156 toc08
t
TLH
MAX9156 toc06

Detailed Description
The LVDS interface standard is a signaling method
intended for point-to-point communication over a controlled-impedance medium, as defined by the ANSI/
TIA/EIA-644 and IEEE 1596.3 standards. The LVDS
standard uses a lower voltage swing than other common communication standards, achieving higher data
rates with reduced power consumption while reducing
EMI emissions and system susceptibility to noise.
The MAX9156 is a 200Mbps LVDS translator intended
for high-speed, point-to-point, low-power applications.
The MAX9156 accepts differential LVPECL inputs and
produces an LVDS output. The input voltage range
includes signals from GND up to VCC, allowing interoperation with 3.3V LVPECL devices.
The MAX9156 provides a high output when the inputs
are open. See Table 1.
MAX9156
Low-Jitter, Low-Noise LVPECL-to-LVDS Level
Translator in an SC70 Package
_______________________________________________________________________________________ 5
Typical Operating Characteristics (continued)
(VCC= +3.3V, RL= 100Ω ±1%, CL= 10pF, |V
ID
|
= 0.2V, VCM= 1.2V, TA= +25°C, unless otherwise noted. Signal generator output:
frequency = 100MHz, 50% duty cycle, R
O
= 50Ω, tR= 1.5ns, and tF= 1.5ns (0% to 100%), unless otherwise noted.)
Pin Description
Note: VID= (IN+ - IN-), VOD= (OUT+ - OUT-)
High = 450mV ≥ V
OD
≥ 250mV
Low = -250mV ≥ V
OD
≥ -450mV
Table 1. Function Table (Figure 2)
800
750
700
650
600
550
TRANSITION TIME (ps)
500
450
400
-40 -15 10 35 60 85
PIN NAME FUNCTION
1 OUT- Inverting LVDS Output
2 GND Ground
3 IN- Inverting LVPECL-Compatible Input
4 IN+
5V
6 OUT+ Noninverting LVDS Output
50mV > VID > -50mV Indeterminate
CC
INPUT, V
ID
> 50mV High
< -50mV Low
Open High
TRANSITION TIME
VS. TEMPERATURE
t
TLH
TEMPERATURE (°C)
Noninverting LVPECL-Compatible
Input
Power Supply. Bypass VCC to GND
with a 0.01µF ceramic capacitor.
, t
THL
OUTPUT, V
OD
MAX9156 toc09
DIFFERENTIAL OUTPUT VOLTAGE
600
500
400
300
200
100
DIFFERENTIAL OUTPUT VOLTAGE (mV)
0
25 150
VS. LOAD RESISTOR
MAX9156 toc10
7550 100 125
LOAD RESISTOR (Ω)

MAX9156
Applications Information
Supply Bypassing
Bypass VCCwith a high-frequency surface-mount
ceramic 0.01µF capacitor as close to the device as
possible.
Differential Traces
Input and output trace characteristics affect the performance of the MAX9156. Use controlled-impedance differential traces. Ensure that noise couples as common
mode by running the traces within a differential pair
close together.
Maintain the distance within a differential pair to avoid
discontinuities in differential impedance. Avoid 90°
turns and minimize the number of vias to further prevent
impedance discontinuities.
Cables and Connectors
The LVDS standards define signal levels for interconnect with a differential characteristic impedance and
termination of 100Ω. Interconnects with a characteristic
impedance and termination of 90Ω to 132Ω impedance
are allowed, but produce different signal levels (see
Termination).
LVPECL signals are typically specified for 50Ω singleended characteristic impedance interconnect terminated through 50Ω to VCC- 2V.
Use cables and connectors that have matched differential impedance to minimize impedance discontinuities.
Termination
For point-to-point LVDS links, the termination resistor
should be located at the LVDS receiver input and
match the differential characteristic impedance of the
transmission line.
Each line of a differential LVPECL link should be terminated through 50Ω to V
CC
- 2V or be replaced by the
Thevinin equivalent.
The LVDS output voltage level depends upon the differential characteristic impedance of the interconnect and
the value of the termination resistance. The MAX9156 is
guaranteed to produce LVDS output levels into 100Ω.
With the typical 3.6mA output current, the MAX9156 produces an output voltage of 360mV when driving a 100Ω
transmission line terminated with a 100Ω termination
resistor (3.6mA ✕100Ω = 360mV). For typical output levels with different loads, see the Differential Output
Voltage vs. Load Resistor typical operating curve.
Chip Information
TRANSISTOR COUNT: 401
PROCESS: CMOS
Low-Jitter, Low-Noise LVPECL-to-LVDS Level
Translator in an SC70 Package
6 _______________________________________________________________________________________

MAX9156
Low-Jitter, Low-Noise LVPECL-to-LVDS Level
Translator in an SC70 Package
_______________________________________________________________________________________ 7
Figure 2. DC Load Test Circuit
Figure 3. Transition Time and Propagation Delay Test Circuit
Test Circuits and Timing Diagrams
Figure 1. LVPECL Input Bias
Figure 4. Transition Time and Propagation Delay Timing Diagram
IN+
IN-
1.25V
1.20V
1.25V
1.20V
IN+
IN-
V
CC
R
IN
OUT+
OUT-
R
IN
OUT+
/2
R
L
V
OD
RL/2
OUT-
V
OS
OUT+
C
L
PULSE
GENERATOR
IN+
IN-
R
L
50Ω50Ω
C
L
OUT-
V
= ((IN+) + (IN-))/2
CM
IN+
OUT-
OUT+
V
DIFF
IN-
O (DIFFERENTIAL)
t
PLHD
O (DIFFERENTIAL)
80% 80%
O (DIFFERENTIAL)
20% 20%
t
TLH
V
V
= (OUT+) - (OUT-)
DIFF
ID
O (DIFFERENTIAL)
t
PHLD
O (DIFFERENTIAL)
O (DIFFERENTIAL)
t
THL

MAX9156
Low-Jitter, Low-Noise LVPECL-to-LVDS Level
Translator in an SC70 Package
Maxim cannot assume responsibility for use of any circuitry other than circuitry entirely embodied in a Maxim product. No circuit patent licenses are
implied. Maxim reserves the right to change the circuitry and specifications without notice at any time.
8 _____________________Maxim Integrated Products, 120 San Gabriel Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94086 408-737-7600
© 2001 Maxim Integrated Products Printed USA is a registered trademark of Maxim Integrated Products.
Package Information
SC70, 6L.EPS