Texas Instruments OPA336UA

Overview

OPA336UA from Texas Instruments is a single-supply, microPower CMOS operational amplifier optimized for battery-powered instrumentation and portable devices. It features rail-to-rail output swing within 3mV of the rails, 125µV max input offset voltage, 20µA quiescent current per amplifier, and operates from 2.3V to 5.5V supply. Its role is precision signal conditioning in high-impedance, low-power sensor front-ends such as photodiode pre-amplifiers.

For engineers reviewing the OPA336UA datasheet, OPA336UA pinout, OPA336UA application, or OPA336UA equivalent, key selection criteria include its 115dB open-loop gain, 1pA input bias current, rail-to-rail output capability under 100kΩ load, and SO-8 package compatibility with space-constrained PCB layouts in medical and test equipment.

Technical Context

The OPA336UA employs a CMOS input stage enabling ultra-low input bias current (1pA) and high input impedance (10¹³ Ω), critical for photodiode and precision integrator applications. Its rail-to-rail output stage delivers 3mV swing margin at 100kΩ load, supporting full dynamic range utilization in single-supply systems down to 2.1V operation.

It is unity-gain stable and specified over –40°C to +85°C, with thermal resistance θ_JA = 150°C/W in SO-8 package. The device includes reverse-battery protection and input clamping diodes, allowing safe operation with inputs extending 300mV beyond supply rails when current-limited to 10mA.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

OPA336UA is housed in an 8-pin SOIC (SO-8) surface-mount package with standard JEDEC outline and 150°C/W thermal resistance. Pin 1 is marked with a notch or dot; orientation follows industry-standard Q1 quadrant assignment on tape-and-reel.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar operational amplifier applications.

Compared with OPA336UA, OPA340UA trades 80× higher quiescent current for 55× greater bandwidth, while TLV2461CDR offers stronger output drive at 27× higher power cost-making OPA336UA uniquely optimal for ultra-low-power, DC-precision roles.

Availability

OPA336UA is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for battery-powered medical sensors, photodiode pre-amplifiers, precision integrators, portable test equipment, and low-power industrial monitoring systems requiring stable component supply across long production lifecycles.

Supply support for OPA336UA 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 expertise in precision op amps and low-power signal chains.

The OPA336UA belongs to TI's microAmplifier™ series, designed specifically for ultra-low-power, high-accuracy signal conditioning in portable and battery-operated instrumentation where quiescent current and input bias current are critical constraints.

FAQ

What is the minimum operating supply voltage for the OPA336UA?

The OPA336UA operates down to 2.1V, though it is fully specified from 2.3V to 5.5V. At 2.1V, key parameters including offset voltage, gain, and output swing remain functional but may deviate slightly from datasheet limits. For production designs requiring guaranteed performance, use ≥2.3V. The OPA336UA maintains rail-to-rail output capability even at this minimum voltage.

Can the OPA336UA drive capacitive loads, and what is the maximum stable value?

Yes, the OPA336UA can drive capacitive loads up to ~300pF in unity-gain configuration without external compensation. With a 100Ω series resistor placed inside the feedback loop (between output and inverting input), stable operation extends to >1000pF when driving 2kΩ resistive loads. This technique preserves DC accuracy while suppressing ringing-critical for photodiode transimpedance stages where load capacitance arises from cable or PCB traces.

Does the OPA336UA have ESD protection, and what are its ratings?

Yes, the OPA336UA includes on-chip ESD protection. Per the datasheet, it is rated at 500V HBM (Human Body Model) and 100V MM (Machine Model). Devices ordered as OPA336NJ and OPA336UJ variants add 1000V CDM (Charged Device Model) protection. Standard OPA336UA uses the base HBM/MM rating, requiring standard ESD handling protocols during assembly and testing to prevent latent damage.

How does the input common-mode range of the OPA336UA support single-supply operation?

The OPA336UA's input common-mode range extends from (V–) –0.2V to (V+) –1V, enabling the non-inverting input to accept signals referenced to ground-even when V– is tied to 0V. This eliminates the need for level-shifting circuitry in single-supply systems. Inputs may safely exceed the supply rails by up to 300mV if current-limited to ≤10mA, allowing robust interfacing with external sensors that float outside the supply domain.

Is the OPA336UA pin-compatible with other members of the OPA336 family?

No-OPA336UA (SO-8) is not pin-compatible with OPA336N/NA (SOT-23-5), which has only five pins and different pin assignments. While both share identical electrical specifications, the SO-8 and SOT-23-5 packages require separate PCB layouts. Dual (OPA2336UA) and quad (OPA4336EA) versions use different pinouts and footprints entirely; cross-package substitution requires schematic and layout revision.