Touchstone Semiconductor Adds a New Maxim Analog-to-Digital Converter to Its Expanding Maxim Alternate-Source Product Family

MILPITAS, Calif. – Nov. 14, 2012 – Touchstone Semiconductor, a developer of high-performance, cost-effective, and low power analog integrated circuit solutions, today announced the immediate availability of the TSM1285, a new 12-bit, 300ksps analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that can be used as a drop-in replacement for Maxim’s MAX1285 ADC.

At $1.20 in 1000-piece quantities, the new Touchstone TSM1285 is five times less expensive, pin-compatible, function/specification-identical to Maxim Integrated Products’ MAX1285. It is also a four times higher-speed, pin-for-pin upgrade to the MAX1240 and MAX1241 ADCs at five times and four times lower price, respectively. Touchstone now offers 16 Maxim analog ICs as part of its alternate-source product family.

Touchstone’s alternate-source parts are drop-in replacements that can be used in conjunction with the original manufacturer’s ICs. Replacement parts ensure customers have access to a reliable supply of parts to build their products. All Touchstone alternate-source analog ICs are in stock and available to ship immediately.

The TSM1285’s features include:

$1.20 price at 1k-piece quantities – five times lower than the MAX1285.
High-bandwidth input track-and-hold and an integrated +2.5V reference.
Low conversion-mode power consumption of 9mW at 300ksps from a single +2.7V to+3.6V.
Easy-to-use, high-speed three-wire serial interface that connects directly to any microcontroller or other interface-compatible computing device without the need for separate, external logic.

The TSM1285 is suitable for PCB-space-conscious, low-power, remote-sensor and data-acquisition applications because of its low power, ease of use and small package footprint. Applications include process control and factory automation, data and low-frequency signal acquisition, portable data logging, pen digitizers and tablet computers, medical instrumentation and battery-powered instruments.

Key Specifications

Single-Supply Operation: +2.7V to +3.6V
DNL & INL: ±1LSB (max)
300ksps Sampling Rate
Low Conversion-Mode Supply Current: 2.5mA @ 300ksps
Low Supply Current in Shutdown: 2µA
Internal Track-and-Hold
Internal +2.5V Reference
SPI™/QSPI™/MICROWIRE™ 3-Wire Serial-Interface

The TSM1285 is available in an 8-pin SOIC package. The TSM1285BC is fully specified over the 0°C to +70°C temperature range while the TSM1285BE is fully specified over the -40°C to +85°C temperature range.

The TSM1285 is in stock and ready to ship from Digi-Key, an authorized distributor of Touchstone Semiconductor products. Touchstone offers free samples and completely assembled/tested demo boards upon request by visiting http://touchstonesemi.com/products/maxim-second-sources.

About Touchstone

Touchstone Semiconductor, Inc., creates high-performance analog integrated circuit solutions that solve critical problems for electronics companies. Touchstone’s second-source products are pin-compatible, specification identical solutions, offering customers a long-awaited alternative source for hard to get sole-sourced products. Touchstone’s proprietary products provide unique combinations of features and performance that cannot be found from any other supplier. Founded in 2010, Touchstone is headquartered in Milpitas, Calif. Its investors include Opus Capital and Khosla Ventures. Follow the company at: Twitter:@touchstonesemi, Facebook: Touchstone Semiconductor and YouTube: The Touchstone Semiconductor Channel.