The MAX31855KASA is a K-type thermocouple-to-digital converter from Maxim Integrated in SOIC-8, providing a 14-bit signed thermocouple temperature reading and a 12-bit internal cold-junction compensation (CJC) temperature. The device performs two measurements simultaneously: (1) The thermocouple voltage (the Seebeck voltage generated by the temperature difference between the hot junction and the cold junction) is amplified and digitized by a delta-sigma ADC to 14-bit resolution (0.25C per LSB), covering -270C to +1800C with +/-2C accuracy from -200C to +700C; (2) The internal die temperature (cold junction) is measured by an on-chip diode sensor to 12-bit resolution (0.0625C per LSB), covering -55C to +125C with +/-3C accuracy. The SPI interface outputs a 32-bit data frame: bits D31-D18 contain the thermocouple temperature, D15-D4 contain the cold-junction temperature, and D0-D2 contain fault flags (open thermocouple, short to GND, short to VCC). The cold-junction compensation is performed by the host: the actual hot-junction temperature = thermocouple reading + CJC reading (since the thermocouple voltage only represents the temperature difference). The device automatically detects open thermocouple (broken wire) and sets the D16 fault bit. The input impedance on T+/T- is 1M-ohm minimum, compatible with ungrounded thermocouple probes. The conversion time is 100ms (both channels), and the SPI frame is updated continuously while CS is HIGH. The -KASA suffix specifies K-type, SOIC-8. Applications include: industrial temperature monitoring, 3D printer hotend control, and oven temperature measurement.