Texas Instruments TL4050A50QDCKRQ1

Overview

TL4050A50QDCKRQ1 from Texas Instruments is an AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualified precision micropower shunt voltage reference delivering a fixed 5.0 V output with ±0.1% initial tolerance, 50 ppm/°C temperature coefficient, and 93 μV_RMS wideband noise (10 Hz–10 kHz) - deployed in automotive power-supply monitors and high-accuracy data-acquisition systems.

For engineers reviewing the TL4050A50QDCKRQ1 datasheet, TL4050A50QDCKRQ1 pinout, TL4050A50QDCKRQ1 application, or TL4050A50QDCKRQ1 equivalent, key selection criteria include cathode current range (74 μA to 15 mA), SC-70-5 package thermal performance (θ_JA = 289.9°C/W), long-term stability (120 ppm over 1000 h), and compatibility with capacitive loads without external compensation.

Technical Context

The TL4050A50QDCKRQ1 operates as a two-terminal shunt reference requiring no external capacitor for stability and maintaining regulation across cathode currents from 74 μA (min) to 15 mA (max). Its internal bandgap core achieves 5.0 V nominal reverse breakdown voltage at 100 μA test current, with dynamic impedance of 0.5 Ω at 1 mA and 120 Hz.

Designed for automotive ambient temperatures from –40°C to +125°C, it features low thermal hysteresis (1.4 mV), tight parametric drift over full temperature range, and ESD robustness (±2000 V HBM, ±500 V CDM), enabling use in safety-critical vehicle subsystems where voltage reference integrity directly impacts ADC/DAC accuracy and fault detection thresholds.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

TL4050A50QDCKRQ1 is packaged in SC-70 (DCK) - a 5-pin, surface-mount, lead-free package with 0.65 mm pitch, 2.0 mm × 1.25 mm footprint, and 0.95 mm max height. Pin 1 is marked by a dot; pins 2 and 3 are internally connected via a parasitic Schottky diode, requiring pin 3 to be left floating or tied to pin 2 per TI design guidance.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with TL4050B50QDCKRQ1 and REF3050AIDBZR, TL4050A50QDCKRQ1 provides the tightest initial tolerance for automotive-grade 5-V referencing, while its SC-70-5 package and guaranteed low-noise performance make it uniquely suited for space-constrained, high-accuracy embedded systems requiring zero-output-capacitor operation.

Availability

TL4050A50QDCKRQ1 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive power-supply monitors, battery management systems, and precision data-acquisition circuits requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long product lifecycles.

Supply support for TL4050A50QDCKRQ1 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 automotive-grade IC development and manufacturing expertise.

The TL4050-Q1 family was engineered specifically for AEC-Q100-compliant automotive subsystems demanding high-precision, low-power, and robust voltage referencing - especially in powertrain, chassis, and ADAS domains where reference stability directly impacts functional safety compliance.

FAQ

What is the minimum cathode current required for TL4050A50QDCKRQ1 to maintain regulation?

The TL4050A50QDCKRQ1 requires a minimum cathode current of 74 μA at 25°C and up to 90 μA across the full –40°C to +125°C temperature range to ensure proper regulation. This value is specified in Section 5.8 of the datasheet and must be maintained by sizing the external series resistor (R_S) to supply sufficient current even under worst-case low-voltage, high-temperature conditions. Operating below this threshold risks loss of output accuracy and instability in TL4050A50QDCKRQ1 performance.

Does TL4050A50QDCKRQ1 require an output capacitor for stability?

No, TL4050A50QDCKRQ1 does not require an output capacitor for stability - it is designed to remain stable with all capacitive loads, including 0 pF. This eliminates the need for external bypass components and simplifies layout in space-constrained automotive modules. However, if an output capacitor is used (e.g., for additional noise filtering), TL4050A50QDCKRQ1 remains unconditionally stable per TI's characterization in Section 7.1 and Figure 5-1 of the datasheet.

What is the thermal resistance (θ_JA) of TL4050A50QDCKRQ1 in its SC-70-5 package?

The junction-to-ambient thermal resistance (θ_JA) of TL4050A50QDCKRQ1 in the SC-70 (DCK) package is 289.9°C/W, as specified in Section 5.4 of the datasheet. This value assumes standard JEDEC high-K board conditions and is critical for calculating maximum power dissipation and junction temperature rise under worst-case load current (15 mA) and ambient conditions (125°C), ensuring TL4050A50QDCKRQ1 remains within its 150°C absolute maximum junction temperature limit.

How does TL4050A50QDCKRQ1 differ from TL4050A50QDBZRQ1?

TL4050A50QDCKRQ1 uses the SC-70-5 (DCK) package, while TL4050A50QDBZRQ1 uses the SOT-23-3 (DBZ) package. Both share identical electrical specifications (5.0 V, ±0.1%, 50 ppm/°C, 93 μV_RMS), AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualification, and operating range. The DCK variant offers a smaller footprint (2.0 mm × 1.25 mm vs. 2.95 mm × 1.6 mm) and five pins (with two NCs and one Schottky-related pin), whereas DBZ has three pins and simpler routing - making TL4050A50QDCKRQ1 preferable for ultra-dense layouts where board area is constrained.

Is TL4050A50QDCKRQ1 compatible with high-EMI automotive environments?

Yes, TL4050A50QDCKRQ1 is explicitly designed for high-EMI automotive environments: it is AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualified, features ±2000 V HBM ESD protection, and TI recommends connecting Pin 3 (internal Schottky anode) to Pin 2 (cathode) in noisy settings near transformers or switching regulators. This configuration mitigates coupling effects and maintains reference integrity - a guideline confirmed in Section 7.2 of the TL4050-Q1 datasheet for TL4050A50QDCKRQ1 and other variants.