MAX038 Function Generator IC?

[hifiZen]

Does anyone know where to get this chip? I have been searching for this one a couple of weeks now, with no luck. Maxim is not forthcoming with samples, and all suppliers seem to be out of stock with rediculous lead times (like April 2003!). Only Newark quoted me a resonable lead time of 21 days (and I'm not sure I believe them), but minimum order is 18 units (SOIC version too).

This is such a nice chip, and I have all the parts necessary to put together a dandy function generator with it. Till then, I'm stuck with my much less satisfactory XR2206 based function generator...

I guess there is the possibility for a group purchase here... but how reliable is that lead time provided by Newark?

Any leads? Anyone?

[seangoesbonk]

Originally posted by hifiZen
Does anyone know where to get this chip? ... Maxim is not forthcoming with samples, ...

Ahh, but they are... I got a few as samples.

Check this page: http://www.maxim-ic.com/quick_view2.cfm/qv_pk/1257
It's not too obvious but under "LINKS TO MORE INFORMATION"(near the bottom), there is a "REQUEST SAMPLES" thing...

Have fun!

[jackinnj]

the original of this chip was an Intersil design. Using www.findchips.com search under ICL8038 -- they are about $4 in units.

[rendisha]

Allied has ICL8038 in stock

ICL8038CCJD (CERDIP) - $5.02
ICL8038CCPD (PDIP) - $3.25

[janneman]

Carefull! Although functionally the MAX038 and the ICL8038 are similar, they are not drop-in substitutes for each other. There are not-so-subtle differences, check the data sheets to make sure you get the one you want.

Jan Didden

[peranders]

ELFA in Sweden has this chip and they will also export.
ICL8038
Price 66,60 Sekunder (9 SEK = 1 USD)

http://www.elfa.se/elfa/produkter/se/22/221235.htm


MAX038
Price 31,70 SEK

http://www.elfa.se/elfa/produkter/se/20/2003202.htm

[Rarkov]

Hi,
I'm afraid I also got 3 as samples...Intending on using them soon!

Thanks,
Gaz

[hifiZen]

Hey! Why didn't they give me any samples! I've tried three times over the last few months, and haven't even heard a peep out of them. I even tried ordering them (as in, actually paying for them!) through their website. Maybe they're on to me...

Can somebody spare one for me? I'm more than happy to cover shipping cost, and have a large inventory of parts to trade. I guess I could always order from ELFA, but... er, um... well my Swedish is a tad rusty...

The ICL8038 looks ok, but it lacks some of the features which set the MAX038 apart from the crowd. 300kHz vs. 20+MHz is the major one.

Thanks,

[Rarkov]

Hi,
I wish I could help, but I have plans for mine - and if they are getting bad about handing out samples, I don't want to shoot myself in the foot, if you get my drift!

Sorry & Good luck!
Gaz

[jackinnj]

Maxim makes some very neat stuff-- but they get so-so marks from a lot of engineers who have the "out-of-stock" blues, particularly in 1999 -2000.

No, the ICL8038 isn't a drop in for the MAX0838 -- (the latter being 20 pin!) but the idea is pretty much the same. Just look at the block diagrams. I wonder, however, how long Intersil is going to be making the 8038 as it's not recommended for new designs.

It's nice to have all the artwork done for a PCB and then find that the part is on a 6-week backorder since the foundry in Taiwan is switching over. Or worse yet, as I pointed out with On-Semi's HV MOSFET's -- they are dropped from the product line.