Texas Instruments LM4050CIM3-2.5

Overview

LM4050CIM3-2.5 from Texas Instruments is a precision micropower shunt voltage reference in SOT-23 package, delivering a stable 2.5 V reverse breakdown voltage with ±13 mV (±0.5%) initial tolerance at 25°C, 50 ppm/°C max temperature coefficient, and 41 μV_rms wideband noise (10 Hz–10 kHz). It operates from 65 μA to 15 mA over −40°C to +85°C and requires no output capacitor.

For engineers reviewing the LM4050CIM3-2.5 datasheet, LM4050CIM3-2.5 pinout, LM4050CIM3-2.5 application, or LM4050CIM3-2.5 equivalent, key selection criteria include industrial-grade accuracy, low-noise performance in battery-powered instrumentation, compatibility with capacitive loads, and minimal external component count in space-constrained analog signal chains.

Technical Context

The LM4050CIM3-2.5 uses bandgap-based Zener-zap trimmed shunt topology with curvature-corrected temperature drift compensation, enabling stable 2.5 V reference across −40°C to +85°C. Its dynamic impedance is 0.3 Ω at 1 mA, supporting high PSRR and low load regulation error (≤6 mV over 1–15 mA).

Designed for direct replacement of legacy two-terminal references, it tolerates unlimited capacitive loading without oscillation and achieves long-term stability of 120 ppm after 1000 hours. The C-grade variant targets cost-sensitive industrial applications where ±0.5% initial accuracy and 50 ppm/°C TC meet system-level calibration requirements.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

SOT-23 (DBZ) package: 2.92 mm × 1.30 mm body, 3-pin surface-mount, JEDEC MO-178AC compliant. Cathode and Anode terminals define bidirectional current path; NC pin is unconnected die bond wire stub.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with LM4050CIM3-2.5, LM4040C25IDBZR trades noise and temperature stability for lower unit cost, while ADR3425ARJZ-R7 delivers superior accuracy and noise at the expense of design simplicity and current efficiency-making LM4050CIM3-2.5 optimal for industrial DAQ and portable instrumentation balancing performance, size, and power.

Availability

LM4050CIM3-2.5 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for portable instrumentation, industrial data acquisition, and process control sensors requiring stable component supply with guaranteed long-term manufacturability.

Supply support for LM4050CIM3-2.5 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 and embedded processing technologies, with decades of leadership in precision reference design and automotive-grade reliability.

The LM4050-N series was engineered for space-constrained, battery-operated industrial and instrumentation systems requiring stable, low-drift, capacitor-free voltage references across extended temperature ranges.

FAQ

What is the minimum operating current for LM4050CIM3-2.5?

The LM4050CIM3-2.5 requires a minimum operating current of 65 μA across its full industrial temperature range (−40°C to +85°C), as specified in Section 6.6 of the datasheet. This value ensures stable 2.5 V regulation under worst-case thermal and process conditions. Below this threshold, the device may not maintain specified accuracy or noise performance. The LM4050CIM3-2.5 must be biased above 65 μA in all operating modes to guarantee compliance with its ±13 mV initial tolerance and 50 ppm/°C temperature coefficient.

Does LM4050CIM3-2.5 require an output capacitor?

No, the LM4050CIM3-2.5 does not require an output capacitor for stability-it is explicitly designed to operate without one, unlike many competing shunt references. Its internal architecture ensures unconditional stability even with unlimited capacitive loading, as confirmed in the "No Output Capacitor Required" feature and Figure 15 (Load Regulation) of the SNOS455G datasheet. Adding a capacitor does not degrade performance but provides no stability benefit for the LM4050CIM3-2.5.

What is the thermal hysteresis specification for LM4050CIM3-2.5?

The LM4050CIM3-2.5 exhibits a thermal hysteresis of 0.7 mV, defined as the voltage difference measured at 25°C after cycling to −40°C versus after cycling to +125°C. This parameter reflects mechanical stress memory in the silicon die and directly impacts repeatability in systems undergoing repeated thermal cycles. For the LM4050CIM3-2.5, 0.7 mV hysteresis corresponds to ±0.028% of full scale-critical for high-accuracy calibration routines in field-deployed test equipment.

Can LM4050CIM3-2.5 be used in automotive applications?

The LM4050CIM3-2.5 is rated for industrial temperature range (−40°C to +85°C) and is not AEC-Q100 qualified. For automotive use, TI offers the pin-compatible LM4050CIM3-2.5-Q1 variant (LM4050CIM3X2.5Q1), which is AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualified (−40°C to +125°C) and manufactured on an automotive-grade flow. Using the standard LM4050CIM3-2.5 in automotive environments risks noncompliance with qualification requirements and voids warranty coverage under ISO/TS 16949 processes.

What is the long-term stability of LM4050CIM3-2.5?

The LM4050CIM3-2.5 has a long-term stability of 120 ppm after 1000 hours of operation at 25°C and 100 μA bias current, as documented in Section 6.6 of the SNOS455G datasheet. This represents the maximum expected voltage drift due to silicon aging mechanisms under controlled conditions. In real-world applications, actual drift is typically lower-especially when operated below maximum junction temperature-and forms the basis for annual calibration intervals in metrology-grade instruments using the LM4050CIM3-2.5.