STMicroelectronics LM4041AILT-1.2

Overview

LM4041AILT-1.2 from STMicroelectronics is a precision micropower shunt voltage reference delivering 1.225 V nominal output with ±0.1% initial accuracy at 25 °C, 40 µA operating current, and 100 ppm/°C max temperature coefficient in SOT23-3L package. It serves as a stable voltage reference in low-power analog signal chains for battery-operated instrumentation and energy management systems.

For engineers reviewing the LM4041AILT-1.2 datasheet, LM4041AILT-1.2 pinout, LM4041AILT-1.2 application, or LM4041AILT-1.2 equivalent, key selection criteria include ultra-low quiescent current, tight initial tolerance, capacitive-load stability, industrial temperature range (−40 to +85 °C), and SOT23-3L footprint compatibility.

Technical Context

The LM4041AILT-1.2 operates as a two-terminal shunt reference, sinking current through its cathode to maintain a precise 1.225 V across an external load resistor. Its regulation requires ≥40 µA minimum cathode current at 25 °C and remains stable with capacitive loads up to 1 µF.

It features a static impedance of ≤1 Ω (ΔIk = 100 µA to 1 mA), wideband noise of 60 µVRMS (10 Hz–10 kHz), and long-term stability of 120 ppm over 1000 hours - enabling high-accuracy ADC/DAC biasing and sensor excitation in space-constrained industrial designs.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

SOT23-3L surface-mount package: 3-pin, 1.3 mm × 2.9 mm footprint, 0.95 mm pitch, JEDEC MO-178 compliant. RoHS-compliant, ECOPACK®2 grade.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar shunt voltage reference applications.

Compared with TLV431ACDBVR and MAX6002EUR+T, the LM4041AILT-1.2 uniquely delivers 1.225 V at ±0.1% accuracy with 40 µA operation in SOT23-3L - making it optimal for space- and power-constrained 12-bit+ measurement systems requiring minimal calibration overhead.

Availability

LM4041AILT-1.2 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for battery-operated equipment, data acquisition systems, and energy management applications requiring stable component supply with guaranteed long-term availability and consistent parametric performance.

Supply support for LM4041AILT-1.2 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

STMicroelectronics is a global semiconductor leader headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, designing and manufacturing analog, MCU, power, and sensing solutions for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.

The LM4041 belongs to ST's precision analog reference product line, engineered specifically for low-power, high-accuracy voltage referencing in space-constrained and battery-dependent systems - emphasizing micropower operation, tight initial tolerance, and robust thermal performance.

FAQ

What is the minimum cathode current required for regulation at −40 °C?

The LM4041AILT-1.2 requires ≥50 µA minimum cathode current across the full industrial temperature range (−40 to +85 °C), per Table 3 of the datasheet. At −40 °C, this ensures stable 1.225 V output with ≤0.1% deviation from nominal, even under worst-case process and temperature conditions.

Can the LM4041AILT-1.2 drive a 10 nF capacitor directly without oscillation?

Yes - the LM4041AILT-1.2 is explicitly characterized for stability with capacitive loads up to 1 µF (1000 nF), as confirmed in Figure 4 and Section 4 of the datasheet. A 10 nF capacitor falls well within this range and introduces no phase margin degradation or ringing in typical PCB layouts.

Is Pin 3 (NC) electrically connected internally?

No - Pin 3 is a true no-connect terminal with no internal bond wire or silicon connection. The datasheet mandates it be left floating or tied to the Anode (Pin 1) to minimize noise coupling from PCB traces, especially in high-EMI environments like switch-mode power supplies.

How does the LM4041AILT-1.2 compare to bandgap references in terms of startup time?

The LM4041AILT-1.2 achieves full regulation in <10 µs, as shown in Figure 6 (startup characteristics). This is faster than most bandgap-based series references (typically 10–100 µs), due to its simple shunt topology and lack of internal error amplifier compensation delays - critical for wake-up-from-sleep sequences in energy-harvesting systems.