Diodes Incorporated ZXRE330AV-A

Overview

ZXRE330AV-A from Diodes Incorporated is a precision 3.3V shunt voltage reference in TO92 package, designed for low-knee-current operation (1µA min), ±0.5% initial tolerance at +25°C, 20ppm/°C tempco, and stable performance across –40°C to +85°C. It serves as a compact, capacitor-free reference in battery-powered instrumentation and portable power supplies.

For engineers reviewing the ZXRE330AV-A datasheet, ZXRE330AV-A pinout, ZXRE330AV-A application, or ZXRE330AV-A equivalent, key selection criteria include its ultra-low operating current range (1–5mA), no-output-capacitor requirement, tight thermal hysteresis (0.08%), and TO92 mechanical compatibility with legacy designs requiring leaded through-hole mounting.

Technical Context

The ZXRE330AV-A operates as a two-terminal shunt reference: anode and cathode form a precision reverse-breakdown junction delivering 3.3V at currents from 1µA to 5mA. Its sharp knee characteristic ensures stable regulation even near minimum current, and its die attachment to pin 2 in TO92 mandates pin 2 be left floating or tied to pin 1.

It achieves 55µVRMS noise (10Hz–10kHz) and <0.6mV total voltage drift over temperature (–40°C to +85°C), with dynamic impedance of 2Ω at 2mA. Unlike series references, it requires no input capacitor and tolerates arbitrary output capacitance without oscillation.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: TO92 - axial-leaded, through-hole, RoHS-compliant, halogen-free "Green" package with die attached to pin 2.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with TL431ACZ and REF3333AIDBZR, the ZXRE330AV-A uniquely combines TO92 through-hole compatibility, true 1µA operation, and zero-output-capacitor stability-making it the sole viable choice for legacy-replacement, ultra-low-power, shunt-based reference designs.

Availability

ZXRE330AV-A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for battery-powered instrumentation, precision data acquisition, and portable communications devices requiring stable component supply with long-lifecycle support.

Supply support for ZXRE330AV-A 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

Diodes Incorporated is a global semiconductor company specializing in discrete, analog, and mixed-signal solutions, with manufacturing certified to IATF 16949 and compliance to AEC-Q standards.

The ZXRE330 series belongs to Diodes' precision voltage reference product line, engineered specifically for low-power, high-accuracy shunt regulation in portable and space-constrained applications where stability, size, and supply flexibility are critical.

FAQ

What is the correct TO92 pin configuration for ZXRE330AV-A?

Pin 1 is Anode (GND), Pin 2 is Cathode (3.3V output), and Pin 3 is internally bonded to Pin 2 in the TO92 package. Per datasheet DS36772 Rev 4–2, Pin 3 must be left floating or connected to Pin 2-never used as an independent terminal. This configuration ensures proper thermal and electrical behavior.

Can ZXRE330AV-A replace a standard 3.3V Zener diode?

Yes, but with critical advantages: it delivers ±0.5% initial tolerance (vs. ±5–10% for Zeners), 20ppm/°C tempco (vs. 50–100ppm/°C), and stable regulation down to 1µA. Unlike Zeners, it requires no minimum current for regulation onset and exhibits sharper knee characteristics-enabling more accurate clamping and referencing in low-power systems.

Is ZXRE330AV-A suitable for automotive applications?

No-ZXRE330AV-A is marked NRND (Not Recommended for New Design) and is not qualified to AEC-Q100. While it operates from –40°C to +85°C, it lacks PPAP documentation, IATF 16949 traceability for automotive lots, and stress-test validation required for automotive use. Diodes offers AEC-Q100-qualified alternatives like the AP431 series for such applications.

Why does ZXRE330AV-A specify "no output capacitor required"?

This reflects its internal design: the device uses a proprietary bandgap-derived shunt structure with inherent phase margin and low output impedance (2Ω), eliminating the need for external stabilization capacitors that conventional shunt references require. This simplifies layout, reduces BOM count, and avoids capacitor-related aging or ESR-induced drift in long-life deployments.