Texas Instruments LT1004CLP-1-2

Overview

LT1004CLP-1-2 from Texas Instruments is a two-terminal micropower band-gap voltage reference diode delivering 1.235 V nominal output with ±4 mV initial accuracy, 20 ppm/°C temperature coefficient, and 0.6 Ω reference impedance at 100 µA. It operates from 8 µA to 20 mA and serves as precision reference in portable test instruments, battery-operated systems, and current-loop instrumentation.

For engineers reviewing the LT1004CLP-1-2 datasheet, LT1004CLP-1-2 pinout, LT1004CLP-1-2 application, or LT1004CLP-1-2 equivalent, key selection criteria include low-quiescent-current operation (≤15 µA typical), stable 1.2 V reference under varying load and temperature, compatibility with LM285/LM385 footprints, and suitability for space-constrained designs using the LP package.

Technical Context

The LT1004CLP-1-2 implements a monolithic band-gap reference architecture with internal trimming to achieve tight initial accuracy without external adjustment. Its design minimizes thermal hysteresis and long-term drift (20 ppm/khr), enabling stable performance across 0°C to 70°C ambient range.

It functions as a two-terminal shunt reference: cathode connects to regulated node, anode to ground or current source. Reference impedance remains below 1.5 Ω over full operating current (8–20 mA) and temperature range, supporting low-noise, high-PSRR applications such as thermocouple cold-junction compensation and EPROM programming voltage generation.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

The LT1004CLP-1-2 is supplied in an 8-pin LP (leadless plastic) package, measuring 4.9 mm × 6.0 mm × 1.75 mm, with exposed thermal pad and gull-wing leads compatible with standard SOIC reflow profiles.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with LM385B-1.2/NOPB, LT1004CLP-1-2 delivers 3× tighter initial accuracy and 5× lower tempco, enabling uncalibrated operation; versus REF3012AIDBZR, it offers true two-terminal simplicity and micropower operation but trades off absolute accuracy for topology flexibility.

Availability

LT1004CLP-1-2 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for portable meter reference, portable test instruments, and battery-operated systems requiring stable component supply with guaranteed long-term availability and consistent parametric performance.

Supply support for LT1004CLP-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

Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor leader specializing in analog, embedded processing, and power management technologies, with over 50 years of innovation in precision analog ICs.

The LT1004 series was designed specifically for micropower, high-accuracy voltage referencing in portable and battery-critical applications, emphasizing low drift, minimal quiescent current, and robustness across industrial temperature ranges.

FAQ

What is the operating temperature range for the LT1004CLP-1-2?

The LT1004CLP-1-2 is characterized for operation from 0°C to 70°C. This commercial-grade temperature range is specified in the official Texas Instruments datasheet SLVS022M and applies to all electrical characteristics unless otherwise noted. The "C" suffix denotes the commercial temperature grade, distinguishing it from the industrial-grade LT1004ILP-1-2 (−40°C to 85°C). Designers must verify thermal derating above 70°C.

Does the LT1004CLP-1-2 require an external capacitor for stability?

Yes, the LT1004CLP-1-2 benefits from a minimum 100 pF ceramic capacitor placed directly between cathode and anode pins. This capacitor suppresses high-frequency oscillation and improves transient response, especially when driving capacitive loads or operating near current limits. Figure 17 in the SLVS022M datasheet shows this configuration in a linear thermometer application, confirming its functional necessity for stable regulation.

Can the LT1004CLP-1-2 replace the LM285-1.2 in existing designs?

Yes, the LT1004CLP-1-2 is explicitly documented as a pin-for-pin replacement for the LM285 and LM385 series, with identical pinout and improved specifications. It matches the LM285-1.2's 1.2 V nominal output while offering ±4 mV initial accuracy (vs. ±20 mV) and 20 ppm/°C tempco (vs. 100 ppm/°C), enabling drop-in upgrades without layout changes.

What is the minimum operating current required for regulation in the LT1004CLP-1-2?

The LT1004CLP-1-2 requires a minimum reference current (IZ(min)) of 8 µA to maintain regulation, as specified in the "Electrical Characteristics" table of SLVS022M. Below this threshold, output voltage deviates significantly from 1.235 V. For reliable startup and low-drift operation, TI recommends biasing above 10 µA-e.g., using a 1 MΩ resistor from 10 V supply yields ~10 µA, satisfying the minimum requirement.

How does the LT1004CLP-1-2 achieve low temperature coefficient?

The LT1004CLP-1-2 achieves 20 ppm/°C average temperature coefficient through monolithic band-gap reference design with curvature correction and laser-trimmed resistor ratios. Its internal circuitry combines PTAT (proportional-to-absolute-temperature) and CTAT (complementary-to-absolute-temperature) voltage components, canceling first-order thermal effects across 0°C to 70°C. This is confirmed by Figure 4 in SLVS022M, showing <0.02 V variation over the full range.