Analysis
MAX4936/37: T/R switches integrate clamping diodes to protect ultrasound imaging systems
Maxim introduced the MAX4936/MAX4937 fully integrated octal high-voltage transmit/receive (T/R) switches. These switches integrate clamping diodes to isolate the low-voltage receive path from the high-voltage transmit path, thus protecting the receiver input from voltage spikes due to leakage currents flowing through the T/R switches. Maxim's integrated solution uses > 50% less board space than discrete circuits while providing high bandwidth, low jitter, and low signal distortion. The MAX4936/MAX4937 are ideal for use in ultrasound imaging and industrial flaw-detection probes, in which board space is at a premium.
The The MAX4936/MAX4937 T/R are based on the conventional diode topology, but include adjustable current biasing through the serial interface.