Texas Instruments LM60BIM3

Overview

LM60BIM3 from Texas Instruments is a precision analog bipolar temperature sensor in SOT-23-3 package, delivering linear 6.25 mV/°C output with 424 mV DC offset, ±3°C accuracy over −40°C to +125°C (new chip), and 70 μA max quiescent current - enabling accurate Celsius sensing down to −40°C using only a single 2.7V supply in space-constrained battery-powered systems.

For engineers reviewing the LM60BIM3 datasheet, LM60BIM3 pinout, LM60BIM3 application, or LM60BIM3 equivalent, this page delivers verified thermal sensor specifications, SOT-23 pin mapping, real-world use cases in mobile and power systems, and validated alternative parts for design continuity and sourcing flexibility.

Technical Context

The LM60BIM3 implements a Class A emitter-follower output stage, providing low-impedance voltage output (800 Ω max) directly proportional to die temperature without requiring external signal conditioning. Its transfer function VO = (6.25 mV/°C × T °C) + 424 mV is factory-calibrated and stable across its full operating range.

It operates as a passive analog sensor with no digital interface, sleep mode, or configuration registers - functioning solely as a self-contained, single-supply centigrade transducer. Thermal self-heating is limited to ≤0.1°C in still air due to sub-70 μA quiescent current and optimized SOT-23 thermal resistance (RθJA = 240.6°C/W for new chip).

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

SOT-23-3 (DBZ) package: 2.37 mm × 2.92 mm footprint, gull-wing leads, JEDEC-standard outline, suitable for automated reflow assembly and high-density PCB layouts.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with LM60CIM3X/NOPB and LM60QIM3X/NOPB, the LM60BIM3 offers tighter ±3°C accuracy and lower quiescent current (70 μA vs. 90 μA), making it optimal for battery-powered industrial sensors where precision and energy efficiency are prioritized over automotive qualification or lowest unit cost.

Availability

LM60BIM3 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for mobile device battery management, DC-DC converter thermal protection, and HVAC ambient sensing requiring stable component supply across multi-year production cycles.

Supply support for LM60BIM3 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 company specializing in analog and embedded processing technologies, with leadership in precision analog signal chains and power management ICs.

The LM60 product line delivers low-power, factory-calibrated analog temperature sensors optimized for cost-sensitive, space-constrained applications requiring reliable centigrade measurement from a single supply - especially in portable electronics and power systems.

FAQ

What is the guaranteed accuracy specification for LM60BIM3 over its full operating temperature range?

The LM60BIM3 guarantees ±3°C accuracy over −40°C to +125°C for units containing the new chip (CSO: RFB), as confirmed in Table 4-1 and Section 6.5 of the SNIS119G datasheet. Legacy chips (CSO: GF6/SHE) are specified for ±3°C only from −25°C to +125°C, though they operate safely down to −40°C. The reel label date code identifies which chip version is shipped, and both versions share identical LM60BIM3 part marking and SOT-23 packaging.

Can LM60BIM3 measure temperatures below 0°C, and how is that achieved electrically?

Yes, LM60BIM3 can measure temperatures down to −40°C because its output voltage includes a 424 mV DC offset at 0°C, resulting in 174 mV output at −40°C. This offset eliminates the need for a negative supply rail or external level-shifting circuitry - the output remains positive across the full range, enabling direct connection to single-supply ADCs. The linear transfer function VO = (6.25 mV/°C × T °C) + 424 mV ensures predictable scaling for firmware interpretation.

What is the maximum capacitive load LM60BIM3 can drive without oscillation or instability?

The LM60BIM3 output stage is designed to drive capacitive loads up to at least 1 μF without requiring external isolation resistors, as verified in Figure 8-1 and Section 8.1.1. With its 800 Ω maximum output impedance, a 1 μF capacitor forms a 199 Hz low-pass filter - well below the device's thermal time constant (>10 s), so system response remains dominated by thermal dynamics, not electrical filtering. Larger capacitors increase time lag and should be avoided unless intentional filtering is required.

How does the SOT-23 package of LM60BIM3 affect thermal measurement accuracy in PCB-mounted applications?

The SOT-23 package of LM60BIM3 features direct thermal coupling between the die backside and the GND pin, enabling accurate surface temperature measurement when soldered to a PCB. As stated in Section 8.5.1, the sensed temperature is within approximately ±0.1°C of the PCB surface temperature - provided ambient air temperature closely matches surface temperature. For best results, use wide copper pours connected to GND and avoid placing heat-generating components nearby to minimize thermal gradients affecting the LM60BIM3 reading.

Is LM60BIM3 pin-compatible with other members of the LM60 family, such as LM60CIM3X/NOPB?

Yes, LM60BIM3 is pin-compatible with LM60CIM3X/NOPB and LM60QIM3X/NOPB - all use the identical SOT-23-3 (DBZ) package with +VS, VOUT, and GND assigned to pins 1, 2, and 3 respectively. However, they are not functional drop-in replacements due to differing accuracy specs (±3°C vs. ±4°C) and qualification levels. Swapping requires validation of system-level thermal error budgets and, for automotive use, verification of AEC-Q100 compliance via LM60QIM3X/NOPB.