Texas Instruments LT1004IDRG4-1-2

Overview

LT1004IDRG4-1-2 from Texas Instruments is a two-terminal micropower band-gap voltage reference IC 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 - used as precision biasing and calibration reference in portable test instruments and battery-operated systems.

For engineers reviewing the LT1004IDRG4-1-2 datasheet, LT1004IDRG4-1-2 pinout, LT1004IDRG4-1-2 application, or LT1004IDRG4-1-2 equivalent, key selection considerations include its −40°C to 85°C industrial temperature range, SOIC-8 package, low 10 µA minimum operating current, and compatibility with current-loop instrumentation and low-power sensor front-ends.

Technical Context

The LT1004IDRG4-1-2 implements a two-terminal band-gap reference architecture optimized for micropower operation, achieving stable 1.235 V output across 8 µA to 20 mA load current while maintaining low dynamic impedance (≤0.6 Ω) and minimal thermal drift. Its internal circuitry integrates trimmed resistors and matched bipolar transistors to minimize process-induced errors.

It operates as a shunt reference requiring an external current-setting resistor, supports reverse-biased (cathode-to-anode) connection for standard voltage regulation, and exhibits 60–120 µV broadband noise (10 Hz–10 kHz) - enabling use in high-resolution ADC references and precision analog signal chains where power budget and long-term stability are critical.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

LT1004IDRG4-1-2 is housed in an 8-pin SOIC (D) package with no internal connections on pins 1, 3, 4, 6, and 8. Only pins 2 (Anode) and 5 (Cathode) are functional terminals; pins 6 and 8 are internally shorted to pin 5 per TI documentation.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with LM385BIMX-1.2, LT1004IDRG4-1-2 offers 3× better initial accuracy and 5× lower temperature coefficient; versus REF102CP, it consumes 99% less current but trades 15× higher drift - making it optimal for portable, battery-constrained systems needing industrial-grade stability.

Availability

LT1004IDRG4-1-2 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 continuity and RoHS-compliant sourcing.

Supply support for LT1004IDRG4-1-2 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 and embedded processing technologies, with over 90 years of innovation in precision analog ICs and power management solutions.

The LT1004 series was designed specifically for micropower, high-accuracy voltage referencing in portable and battery-critical applications - emphasizing low operating current, tight initial tolerance, and robust thermal performance across extended temperature ranges.

FAQ

What is the operating temperature range for LT1004IDRG4-1-2?

The LT1004IDRG4-1-2 is rated for industrial operation from −40°C to +85°C. This range is confirmed in the TI datasheet's "recommended operating conditions" table and applies specifically to the "I" grade variant denoted in the part number suffix. The device maintains its specified initial accuracy and temperature coefficient across this full range without derating.

Is LT1004IDRG4-1-2 pin-compatible with LM285-1.2?

Yes, LT1004IDRG4-1-2 is explicitly documented as a pin-for-pin replacement for the LM285-1.2 and LM385-1.2 series. Both use identical SOIC-8 packaging with functional anode (pin 2) and cathode (pin 5) assignments, and unused pins (1, 3, 4, 6, 8) match. No PCB layout changes are required for direct substitution.

What is the minimum cathode current required for LT1004IDRG4-1-2 to regulate properly?

The LT1004IDRG4-1-2 requires a minimum cathode current of 8 µA to maintain regulation, as specified in the "electrical characteristics" table under I_Z(min). Below this threshold, output voltage deviates significantly from 1.235 V; operation at 10 µA or higher is recommended for guaranteed specification compliance across temperature.

Can LT1004IDRG4-1-2 be used in series with other references to generate higher voltages?

No - LT1004IDRG4-1-2 is a two-terminal shunt reference and lacks a dedicated reference output pin or buffered output stage. It cannot be stacked or cascaded. To generate higher reference voltages, use it to bias an op-amp gain stage or select a higher-voltage variant like LT1004IDRG4-2-5 (2.5 V).

Does LT1004IDRG4-1-2 require an external capacitor for stability?

No external capacitor is required for basic DC regulation stability. However, a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed directly at the cathode (pin 5) to ground improves high-frequency noise rejection and transient response - especially beneficial in noisy switching supply environments or when driving capacitive loads >100 pF.