Texas Instruments REF3230AIDBVR

Overview

REF3230AIDBVR from Texas Instruments is a precision 3.0V 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-stability analog signal chains in portable data acquisition systems.

For engineers reviewing the REF3230AIDBVR datasheet, REF3230AIDBVR pinout, REF3230AIDBVR application, or REF3230AIDBVR equivalent, key selection criteria include low dropout (5mV), force-sense output architecture for load regulation compensation, thermal hysteresis (100ppm first cycle), and operation across –40°C to +125°C industrial temperature range.

Technical Context

The REF3230AIDBVR implements a CMOS-based bandgap core with buffered output stage and integrated enable/shutdown control. Its dual-ground architecture (GND_F and GND_S) enables Kelvin sensing to reject trace resistance effects, supporting accurate remote load regulation.

It features a low-noise design (39µV_PP, 0.1Hz–10Hz), high PSRR (>60dB at 1kHz), and stability with any capacitive load-enabling direct interface with SAR ADCs, instrumentation amplifiers, and microcontroller ADC references without external compensation.

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 ADR3430ARJZ-R7, REF3230AIDBVR delivers 3× lower drift and active load regulation compensation at modest power cost; versus MAX6126AASA30+, it trades 0.01% accuracy and 1ppm/°C drift advantage for 8.6× lower quiescent current and 60% smaller footprint.

Availability

REF3230AIDBVR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for portable medical monitors, industrial data acquisition modules, and handheld test equipment requiring stable component supply with full traceability and long-lifecycle support.

Supply support for REF3230AIDBVR 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 50 years of precision reference design heritage.

The REF32xx family was engineered for battery-powered and space-constrained applications demanding micropower operation, low dropout, and force-sense accuracy-targeting portable instrumentation, medical sensors, and industrial DAQ systems.

FAQ

What is the minimum supply voltage required for stable operation of REF3230AIDBVR?

The REF3230AIDBVR requires a minimum supply voltage of 3.005V (V_OUT + 5mV) under no-load conditions. At full ±10mA load, dropout increases to 50mV maximum-so 3.05V is recommended for robust operation across temperature and process variation. This ultra-low dropout enables direct use with single-cell LiFePO₄ (3.2V nominal) or boosted coin cells.

How does the force-sense architecture of REF3230AIDBVR improve reference accuracy?

The REF3230AIDBVR uses separate GND_S and OUT_S pins to implement Kelvin sensing: GND_S connects to the load's ground point, while OUT_S returns to the load's reference node. This closes a feedback loop that compensates for voltage drop across PCB traces-reducing load regulation error from >1000ppm to <3ppm even with 100mΩ trace resistance. The GND_S–GND_F differential must remain below ±200mV to avoid ESD diode conduction.

Can REF3230AIDBVR be used with capacitive loads, and what is the maximum recommended value?

Yes, REF3230AIDBVR is unconditionally stable with any capacitive load-from 0pF to ≥10µF-without requiring external series resistance or compensation. This eliminates layout sensitivity and enables direct decoupling at the load (e.g., ADC VREF pin) using standard 1µF X7R ceramics. Stability is maintained regardless of ESR, making it ideal for noisy industrial environments where bulk capacitance is needed for ripple suppression.

What is the thermal hysteresis specification for REF3230AIDBVR, and how does it impact system calibration?

REF3230AIDBVR exhibits 100ppm thermal hysteresis after the first temperature cycle (–40°C → +125°C → +25°C), dropping to 25ppm on subsequent cycles. This means a one-time 0.3mV offset may occur after initial thermal stress, but repeatable operation stabilizes quickly. For systems requiring zero-calibration drift, perform final calibration after thermal preconditioning; for most portable instruments, the 25ppm post-cycle hysteresis is negligible versus 0.01% initial accuracy.

Does REF3230AIDBVR support shutdown mode, and what is its quiescent current in that state?

Yes, REF3230AIDBVR enters shutdown mode when the ENABLE pin is held below 0.7V, reducing quiescent current to 0.1–1μA. In shutdown, the OUT_F pin becomes a ~300kΩ resistive load to ground-safe for high-impedance monitoring but not for driving active circuitry. Recovery time is 60μs to 0.1% settling, enabling rapid wake-up in duty-cycled sensor nodes. The ENABLE pin leakage is only a few nA, allowing simple RC timing networks for autonomous power sequencing.