Texas Instruments LM20CIM7/NOPB

Overview

LM20CIM7/NOPB from Texas Instruments (formerly National Semiconductor) is a precision analog-output CMOS temperature sensor operating over −55°C to +130°C with ±5°C accuracy at full range, 2.4 V to 5.5 V supply, and ≤10 μA quiescent current. It delivers parabolic output voltage vs. temperature (VO = −3.88×10⁻⁶·T² − 1.15×10⁻²·T + 1.8639 V) and is packaged in SC70-5 for thermal sensing in battery-powered portable electronics.

For engineers reviewing the LM20CIM7/NOPB datasheet, LM20CIM7/NOPB pinout, LM20CIM7/NOPB application, or LM20CIM7/NOPB equivalent, this page provides verified specifications, package mapping, real-world use cases, and validated alternative options for thermal monitoring in space-constrained, low-power systems.

Technical Context

The LM20CIM7/NOPB implements a monolithic CMOS bandgap-based temperature-to-voltage transducer with inherent parabolic curvature-enabling ±5°C max error across −55°C to +130°C when powered at ≥2.7 V. Its output impedance is ≤160 Ω and supports load currents up to +16 μA without significant regulation error (≤−2.5 mV).

Thermal response is governed by junction-to-ambient thermal resistance (θJA = 415°C/W in SC70), and self-heating remains below 0.02°C in still air due to sub-10 μA quiescent draw. The device requires no shutdown circuitry and operates directly from logic outputs or single-cell Li-ion sources (2.4 V minimum).

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

LM20CIM7/NOPB uses the SC70-5 package (NS Package Number MAA05A), a 5-lead surface-mount plastic package with 0.65 mm lead pitch. Pin 2 (GND) must be grounded for optimal thermal conduction to PCB ground plane; Pin 1 (NC) is unconnected and must remain floating or grounded-no signal routing permitted.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar analog-output temperature sensor applications.

Compared with LM20BIM7/NOPB, LM20CIM7/NOPB trades mid-range accuracy for lower unit cost while retaining identical supply range, package, and thermal characteristics; versus TS2012-5.0TR, it delivers superior thermal coupling via SC70-5 and lower self-heating but requires more PCB area.

Availability

LM20CIM7/NOPB is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for cellular phones, power supply modules, and battery management systems requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and RoHS-compliant sourcing.

Supply support for LM20CIM7/NOPB includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Texas Instruments acquired National Semiconductor in 2011 and maintains its precision analog portfolio, including high-reliability temperature sensors for industrial and portable applications.

The LM20CIM7/NOPB belongs to TI's analog temperature sensor product line, designed specifically for low-power, high-accuracy thermal monitoring in space-constrained consumer and computing systems.

FAQ

What is the guaranteed accuracy specification for LM20CIM7/NOPB across its full temperature range?

The LM20CIM7/NOPB is specified for ±5°C maximum error at both −55°C and +130°C when operated with a supply voltage of ≥2.7 V. At +30°C, the accuracy is ±4.0°C (max). These values are guaranteed per National Semiconductor's AOQL testing and apply under standard test conditions defined in the official datasheet.

Can LM20CIM7/NOPB operate from a single 2.4 V lithium coin cell?

Yes, LM20CIM7/NOPB supports operation down to +2.4 V supply voltage. However, at 2.4 V, the specified operating temperature range narrows to −30°C to +130°C-the negative limit shifts from −55°C. This makes LM20CIM7/NOPB viable for low-voltage portable applications where extreme cold operation is not required.

Does LM20CIM7/NOPB require external calibration to achieve its stated accuracy?

No, LM20CIM7/NOPB is factory-calibrated and delivers its ±5°C accuracy specification without user calibration. The parabolic transfer function (VO = −3.88×10⁻⁶·T² − 1.15×10⁻²·T + 1.8639 V) is characterized per unit, and the accuracy spec includes all deviations from that curve across temperature and supply voltage.

What is the thermal resistance (θJA) of LM20CIM7/NOPB in its SC70-5 package?

The LM20CIM7/NOPB in SC70-5 package has a junction-to-ambient thermal resistance (θJA) of 415°C/W under standard PCB layout conditions (no heat sink, still air). This value is measured using the layout shown in Figure 1 of the datasheet and directly impacts self-heating-calculated as ΔT = θJA × (V+ × IQ).

Is LM20CIM7/NOPB compatible with microcontrollers that have 10-bit SAR ADCs?

Yes, LM20CIM7/NOPB is fully compatible with 10-bit SAR ADCs. Its output impedance is ≤160 Ω and supports load currents up to +16 μA, enabling direct connection without buffering. For optimal accuracy, route VO with short traces, add 0.1 μF bypass at V+, and avoid routing near noisy digital lines.