Texas Instruments LM4050CEM3-5.0

Overview

LM4050CEM3-5.0 from Texas Instruments is a precision micropower shunt voltage reference in SOT-23 package, delivering a stable 5.0 V reverse breakdown voltage with ±25 mV (±0.5%) initial tolerance at 25°C, 50 ppm/°C max temperature coefficient, and 93 μV_rms wideband noise (10 Hz–10 kHz). It operates from 56 μA to 15 mA supply current and supports industrial (−40°C to +85°C) and extended (−40°C to +125°C) temperature ranges - ideal for high-accuracy ADC/DAC biasing in portable instrumentation.

For engineers reviewing the LM4050CEM3-5.0 datasheet, LM4050CEM3-5.0 pinout, LM4050CEM3-5.0 application, or LM4050CEM3-5.0 equivalent, key selection criteria include output voltage tolerance over temperature, dynamic impedance (<0.5 Ω), minimum operating current (74 μA typ), long-term stability (120 ppm), and compatibility with capacitive loads without external compensation.

Technical Context

The LM4050CEM3-5.0 uses bandgap-based Zener-zap trimmed shunt architecture with curvature-corrected temperature drift compensation, enabling stable 5.0 V reference performance across −40°C to +125°C. Its low dynamic impedance (0.5 Ω at 1 mA) and absence of required output capacitor simplify layout while maintaining stability under varying load capacitance.

It achieves ±0.5% initial accuracy (Grade C) via wafer-level fuse trimming, with guaranteed overtemperature tolerance of ±42 mV (industrial) and ±50 mV (extended range) derived from 50 ppm/°C TC and ΔT. Thermal hysteresis is limited to 1.4 mV after cycling between −40°C and +125°C.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

LM4050CEM3-5.0 is housed in a 3-pin SOT-23 (DBZ) package measuring 2.92 mm × 1.30 mm, with exposed pad not electrically connected. Cathode (pin 1) carries shunt current and accepts input voltage; Anode (pin 2) is the common ground terminal; Pin 3 is no-connect (NC) and must be left floating or tied to pin 2 per datasheet guidance.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with LM4040C50IDBZR and ADR3450ARJZ-R7, the LM4050CEM3-5.0 uniquely combines extended temperature range support, capacitor-free stability, and sub-100 μA minimum current - making it optimal for space-constrained, wide-temperature, low-power shunt reference designs where layout simplicity and long-term reliability are prioritized over ultra-tight initial tolerance.

Availability

LM4050CEM3-5.0 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for portable instrumentation, industrial data acquisition, energy monitoring meters, and precision audio systems requiring stable component supply with full traceability and lifecycle continuity.

Supply support for LM4050CEM3-5.0 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 is a global semiconductor leader specializing in analog, embedded processing, and connectivity technologies, with decades of leadership in precision reference design.

The LM4050-N series was engineered for space-constrained, micropower applications demanding high initial accuracy, low temperature drift, and robust capacitive-load stability - targeting portable test equipment, industrial sensors, and automotive subsystems.

FAQ

What is the minimum operating current for LM4050CEM3-5.0?

The LM4050CEM3-5.0 has a typical minimum operating current of 74 μA at 25°C, with a maximum of 90 μA over the extended temperature range (−40°C to +125°C). Below this threshold, the device exits regulation and output voltage collapses. This low IQ enables use in battery-powered systems where quiescent power is critical. The LM4050CEM3-5.0 maintains specified accuracy only when biased within its defined current window.

Does LM4050CEM3-5.0 require an output capacitor?

No, the LM4050CEM3-5.0 does not require an output capacitor for stability - a key differentiator from many shunt references. Its internal design ensures unconditional stability with any capacitive load, including direct connection to ADC sample capacitors or op-amp inputs. Adding a capacitor may reduce noise but is never mandatory for regulation integrity. This simplifies PCB layout and reduces BOM count for the LM4050CEM3-5.0.

What is the temperature coefficient specification for LM4050CEM3-5.0?

The LM4050CEM3-5.0 has a maximum average temperature coefficient of 50 ppm/°C over the full operating range (−40°C to +125°C). At 25°C, the typical TC is ±20 ppm/°C. This translates to a worst-case drift of ±3.25 mV across the industrial range and ±5.0 mV across the extended range - enabling predictable error budgeting in precision analog signal chains using the LM4050CEM3-5.0.

How does the LM4050CEM3-5.0 compare to Grade A or B variants?

The LM4050CEM3-5.0 is Grade C (±0.5% initial tolerance), offering relaxed accuracy versus Grade A (±0.1%) or B (±0.2%) but identical thermal performance, noise, and dynamic impedance. It targets cost-sensitive, high-volume applications where moderate initial tolerance is acceptable - such as non-calibrated portable tools or auxiliary references - while retaining the LM4050CEM3-5.0's core advantages: SOT-23 size, capacitor-free operation, and wide temperature support.

Is LM4050CEM3-5.0 suitable for automotive applications?

The LM4050CEM3-5.0 is rated for extended temperature operation (−40°C to +125°C) and meets industrial reliability standards, but it is not AEC-Q100 qualified. For automotive applications requiring formal qualification, TI offers the pin-compatible LM4050CQEM3-5.0 (Q1 variant). The LM4050CEM3-5.0 may be used in non-safety-critical automotive subsystems (e.g., infotainment power rails) where qualification is not mandated, but system-level validation remains the designer's responsibility.