Texas Instruments REF3220AIDBVR

Overview

REF3220AIDBVR from Texas Instruments is a precision 2.048V bandgap voltage reference IC with 0.01% initial accuracy, 4ppm/°C drift (0°C to +125°C), ±10mA output current, and 110μA quiescent current in SOT23-6 package - designed for high-accuracy data acquisition systems requiring stable low-power excitation of ADCs and DACs.

For engineers reviewing the REF3220AIDBVR datasheet, REF3220AIDBVR pinout, REF3220AIDBVR application, or REF3220AIDBVR equivalent, this page delivers verified specifications, force-sense architecture details, thermal hysteresis behavior, load regulation performance, and real-world implementation guidance for portable medical devices, battery-powered test equipment, and industrial sensor signal chains.

Technical Context

The REF3220AIDBVR implements a CMOS-based bandgap core with separate force (OUT_F) and sense (OUT_S) outputs, enabling precise remote voltage regulation by compensating for trace resistance up to 200mV differential between GND_S and GND_F. Its architecture supports operation with only 5mV dropout above 2.048V output under no-load conditions.

It features active enable control (EN pin), shutdown current <1μA, and stability with any capacitive load - eliminating need for external compensation. Temperature drift is characterized using the box method over –40°C to +125°C, with typical 10.5ppm/°C and max 20ppm/°C across that full range.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

SOT23-6 (DBV) package: 2.9mm × 2.8mm footprint with gull-wing leads; RoHS-compliant, NIPDAU finish, MSL Level-2-260°C-1 year.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with ADR3420ARJZ-R7 and MAX6126AASA+T, REF3220AIDBVR uniquely combines SOT23-6 form factor, integrated enable, force-sense topology, and 4ppm/°C drift - making it optimal for space-constrained, battery-operated, and high-accuracy remote-sensing applications where layout-induced errors must be eliminated.

Availability

REF3220AIDBVR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for portable medical sensors, battery-powered test equipment, and industrial data acquisition systems requiring stable component supply with guaranteed long-term availability and consistent parametric performance.

Supply support for REF3220AIDBVR 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 delivering analog and embedded processing solutions, with deep expertise in precision analog design and high-reliability manufacturing.

The REF32xx family was engineered specifically for ultra-low-power, high-accuracy voltage reference needs in portable instrumentation and industrial sensing - prioritizing drift performance, dropout minimization, and force-sense architecture over legacy pin-compatible alternatives.

FAQ

What is the minimum supply voltage required for stable operation of REF3220AIDBVR?

The REF3220AIDBVR operates with a minimum supply voltage of 2.053V - just 5mV above its 2.048V nominal output - under no-load conditions. With load, dropout increases to ≤50mV across temperature. This enables direct use from single-cell LiFePO₄ batteries (2.8–3.6V) and energy-harvesting sources without LDO pre-regulation. REF3220AIDBVR's low dropout is a key enabler for ultra-low-voltage precision systems.

How does the force-sense architecture of REF3220AIDBVR improve system accuracy?

REF3220AIDBVR uses separate OUT_F (force) and OUT_S (sense) pins to actively regulate voltage at the remote load point, compensating for voltage drop across PCB traces and connectors. By connecting OUT_S and GND_S directly at the load, the device corrects for up to 200mV of IR loss - achieving <0.01% load regulation even with 100mΩ trace resistance. This eliminates layout-dependent errors common with single-output references like REF3220AIDBVR's non-sense alternatives.

Can REF3220AIDBVR be used without an output capacitor?

Yes - REF3220AIDBVR is unconditionally stable with any capacitive load from 0pF to >10μF, including no capacitor. Unlike many references requiring specific COUT values for phase margin, REF3220AIDBVR's internal compensation eliminates external capacitor dependency. A 0.47μF bypass capacitor on the IN pin is still recommended for supply noise rejection, but no output capacitor is needed for stability. This simplifies layout and reduces BOM count for REF3220AIDBVR designs.

What is the thermal hysteresis specification for REF3220AIDBVR, and why does it matter?

REF3220AIDBVR exhibits 100ppm thermal hysteresis on first temperature cycle (–40°C → +125°C → +25°C) and 25ppm on subsequent cycles. This parameter quantifies irreversible voltage shift after thermal stress - critical for field-repairable equipment and recalibration-critical instruments. In contrast to drift (reversible), hysteresis causes permanent offset; REF3220AIDBVR's low hysteresis ensures repeatable calibration across environmental cycling, supporting ISO 13485 compliance in medical devices using REF3220AIDBVR.

Does REF3220AIDBVR support shutdown mode, and what is its current draw?

Yes - pulling the ENABLE pin below 0.7V places REF3220AIDBVR into shutdown mode with typical current draw of 0.1–1μA. This enables ultra-low-power sleep states in portable systems. During shutdown, the output becomes a high-impedance resistive load (~100–400kΩ to ground), preventing backfeeding. The ENABLE pin has nanoampere-level leakage, allowing simple RC timing networks for controlled wake-up - a feature confirmed in TI's SBVS058D datasheet for REF3220AIDBVR and all REF32xx variants.