The MAX187/MAX189 serial 12-bit analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) operate from a single +5V supply and accept a 0 to 5V analog input. Both parts feature an 8.5µs successive-approximation ADC, a fast track/hold (1.5µs), an on-chip clock, and a high-speed 3-wire serial interface.The MAX187/MAX189 digitize signals at a 75ksps throughput rate. An external clock accesses data from the interface, which communicates without external hardware to most digital signal processors and microcontrollers. The interface is compatible with SPI, QSPI™, and MICROWIRE®.The MAX187 has an on-chip buffered reference, and the MAX189 requires an external reference. Both the MAX187 and MAX189 save space with 8-pin PDIP and 16-pin SO packages. Power consumption is 7.5mW and reduces to only 10µW in shutdown.Excellent AC characteristics and very low power consumption combined with ease of use and small package size make these converters ideal for remote DSP and sensor applications, or for circuits where power consumption and space are crucial.ApplicationsHigh-Accuracy Process ControlIsolated Data AcquisitionPortable Data LoggingRemote Digital Signal Processing