Nexperia USA Inc. PLVA659A-QVL

Overview

PLVA659A-QVL from Nexperia is a low-voltage avalanche regulator diode in SOT23 (TO-236AB) package, designed for precision voltage stabilization at 5.90 V nominal working voltage with ±0.20 V tolerance, 2.40 mV/K temperature coefficient, and ultra-low reverse current of 0.9 nA at 50 % VZ. It delivers hard breakdown knee, low noise (≤1.0 µV/√Hz), and 100 Ω dynamic resistance at 250 µA, targeting automotive-grade backup power and low-noise analog reference circuits.

For engineers reviewing the PLVA659A-QVL datasheet, PLVA659A-QVL pinout, PLVA659A-QVL application, or PLVA659A-QVL equivalent, this device supports AEC-Q101-compliant designs requiring stable 5.7–6.1 V regulation under sub-1 mA load, low thermal drift, and minimal leakage in CMOS RAM retention and smoke detector relay control.

Technical Context

This discrete Zener-type avalanche diode operates in reverse-biased breakdown mode with tightly controlled VZ = 5.90 V (typ.) at IZ = 250 µA, exhibiting hard-knee characteristics and negligible hysteresis. Its low dynamic impedance (100 Ω) and line regulation ≤0.1 V ensure stable output across 10 µA–1 mA current range.

Qualified to AEC-Q101, it sustains non-repetitive peak reverse power up to 30 W (tp = 100 µs) and total power dissipation ≤250 mW at 25 °C ambient. Thermal resistance Rth(j-a) = 500 K/W enables reliable operation in automotive underhood environments up to 150 °C junction temperature.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: SOT23 (TO-236AB), surface-mount plastic package with 3 leads, 1.9 mm × 1.1 mm body, 0.45 mm lead pitch, and standard reflow-compatible footprint per Fig. 2.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar low-voltage avalanche regulator diode applications.

Compared with BZX84-C5V6-Q, PLVA659A-QVL offers tighter VZ tolerance, 100× lower leakage, and automotive qualification-critical for safety systems. Versus PLVA662A-Q, it provides 300 mV lower regulation voltage with identical noise and thermal performance, enabling direct substitution where 5.9 V is specified.

Availability

PLVA659A-QVL is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive power supervision, CMOS memory backup, and low-noise sensor biasing requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long product lifecycles.

Supply support for PLVA659A-QVL 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

Nexperia is a global semiconductor expert delivering high-performance, reliable discrete, logic, and MOSFET devices with focus on efficiency, miniaturization, and automotive-grade robustness.

The PLVA6xxA-Q series belongs to Nexperia's AEC-Q101-qualified low-voltage avalanche regulator diode product line, engineered specifically for precision voltage stabilization in safety-critical automotive subsystems and ultra-low-power backup circuits.

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous reverse power dissipation for PLVA659A-QVL?

The PLVA659A-QVL has a total power dissipation limit of 250 mW at Tamb = 25 °C on FR4 PCB with single-sided copper. This value decreases with rising ambient temperature per its thermal resistance Rth(j-a) = 500 K/W, and derating must follow the datasheet curve to avoid exceeding 150 °C junction temperature.

Is Pin 2 internally connected or should it remain unconnected?

Pin 2 is explicitly designated "n.c." (not connected) in the official Nexperia datasheet. It has no internal bond wire or silicon connection and must be left electrically floating in PCB layout-no grounding or routing is permitted, as unintended coupling could affect noise performance or thermal behavior.

How does the 2.40 mV/K temperature coefficient impact regulation accuracy over −40 °C to +125 °C?

Over −40 °C to +125 °C, the VZ shift is approximately 396 mV (165 K × 2.40 mV/K), resulting in a regulation range of 5.504 V to 6.296 V. For applications requiring tighter stability, this drift must be compensated via system-level calibration or by selecting a lower-tempco variant like PLVA656A-Q (1.90 mV/K).

Can PLVA659A-QVL replace standard 5.6 V Zeners in existing designs?

No-PLVA659A-QVL is not a drop-in replacement for 5.6 V Zeners due to its higher nominal VZ (5.90 V), tighter tolerance (±0.20 V vs. typical ±5 %), and significantly lower IR (0.9 nA vs. ~100 nA). Circuit revalidation is required for voltage margin, load regulation, and thermal performance in any retrofit scenario.