Detailed Description
The LM4041 shunt references use the bandgap princi-
ple to produce a stable, accurate voltage. The device
behaves similarly to an ideal zener diode; a fixed volt-
age of +1.225V is maintained across its output termi-
nals when biased with 60µA to 12mA of reverse
current. The LM4041 behaves similarly to a silicon
diode when biased with forward currents up 10mA.
Figure 3 shows a typical operating circuit. The LM4041
is ideal for providing a stable reference from a high-
voltage power supply.
Applications Information
The LM4041’s internal pass transistor is used to main-
tain a constant output voltage (VSHUNT) by sinking the
necessary amount of current across a source resistor.
The source resistance (RS) is determined from the load
current (ILOAD) range, supply voltage (VS) variations,
VSHUNT, and desired quiescent current.
Choose the value of RSwhen VSis at a minimum and
ILOAD is at a maximum. Maintain a minimum ISHUNT of
60µA at all times. The RSvalue should be large enough
to keep ISHUNT less than 12mA for proper regulation
when VSis maximum and ILOAD is at a minimum. To
prevent damage to the device, ISHUNT should never
exceed 20mA.
Therefore, the value of RSis bounded by the following
equation:
[VS(MIN) - VR] / [60µA + ILOAD(MAX)] > RS>
[VS(MAX) - VR] / [20mA + ILOAD(MIN)]
Choosing a larger resistance minimizes the total power
dissipation in the circuit by reducing the shunt current
(PD(TOTAL) = VS✕ISHUNT). Provide a safety margin to
incorporate the worst-case tolerance of the resistor
used. Ensure that the resistor’s power rating is ade-
quate, using the following general power equation:
PR= ISHUNT ✕(VS(MAX) - VR)
Output Capacitance
The LM4041 does not require an external capacitor for
frequency stability and is stable for any output capaci-
tance.
Temperature Performance
The LM4041 typically exhibits an output voltage tem-
perature coefficient within ±15ppm/°C. The polarity of
the temperature coefficient may be different from one
device to another; some may have positive coefficients,
and others may have negative coefficients.
LM4041
Improved Precision Micropower
Shunt Voltage Reference
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Pin Description