THEORY OF OPERATION
The REF30xx is a series, CMOS, precision bandgap voltage
reference. Its basic topology is shown in Figure 1. The
transistors Q
1
and Q
2
are biased such that the current
density of Q
1
is greater than that of Q
2
. The difference of the
two base-emitter voltages, Vbe
1
– Vbe
2
, has a positive
temperature coefficient and is forced across resistor R
1
. This
voltage is gained up and added to the base-emitter voltage
of Q
2
, which has a negative coefficient. The resulting output
voltage is virtually independent of temperature. The curvature
of the bandgap voltage, as seen in the typical curve, “Output
Voltage vs Temperature,” is due to the slightly nonlinear
temperature coefficient of the base-emitter voltage of Q
2
.
The REF30xx features a low quiescent current, which is
extremely stable over changes in both temperature and
supply. The typical room temperature quiescent current is
42µA, and the maximum quiescent current over temperature
is just 59µA. Additionally, the quiescent current typically
changes less than 2.5µA over the entire supply range, as
shown in Figure 3.
Supply voltages below the specified levels can cause the
REF30xx to momentarily draw currents greater than the
typical quiescent current. Using a power supply with a fast
rising edge and low output impedance easily prevents this.
SUPPLY CURRENT vs INPUT VOLTAGE
42.5
42.0
I
Q
(µA)
41.5
41.0
+
+
Vbe
1
Vbe
2
–
–
R
1
40.5
Q
1
Q
2
40.0
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
V
IN
(V)
4
4.5
5
5.5
6
FIGURE 3. Supply Current vs Supply Voltage.
FIGURE 1. Simplified Schematic of Bandgap Reference.
THERMAL HYSTERESIS
APPLICATION INFORMATION
The REF30xx does not require a load capacitor, and is stable
with any capacitive load. Figure 2 shows typical connections
required for operation of the REF30xx. A supply bypass
capacitor of 0.47µF is recommended.
Thermal hysteresis for the REF30xx is defined as the change
in output voltage after operating the device at 25°C, cycling
the device through the specified temperature range, and
returning to 25°C, and can be expressed as:
abs V
PRE
– V
POST
6
V
HYST
=
•
10
(
ppm
)
V
NOM
Where: V
HYST
= Calculated hysteresis
V
PRE
= Output voltage measured at 25°C pre-
temperature cycling
V
IN
1
0.47µF
REF30xx
3
V
OUT
2
V
POST
= Output voltage measured when device has
been operated at 25°C, cycled through specified
range –40°C to +125°C and returned to operation at
25°C.
FIGURE 2. Typical Connections for Operating REF30xx.
TEMPERATURE DRIFT
The REF30xx is designed to exhibit minimal drift error, defined
as the change in output voltage over varying temperature.
Using the “box” method of drift measurement, the REF30xx
features a typical drift coefficient of 20ppm from 0°C to 70°C—
the primary temperature range of use for many applications.
For industrial temperature ranges of –40°C to 125°C, the
REF30xx family drift increases to a typical value of 50ppm.
SUPPLY VOLTAGE
The REF30xx family of references features an extremely low
dropout voltage. With the exception of the REF3012, which
has a minimum supply requirement of 1.8V, the REF30xx
can be operated with a supply of only 1mV above the output
voltage in an unloaded condition. For loaded conditions, a
typical dropout voltage versus load is shown on the cover
page.
8
REF3012, 3020, 3025, 3030, 3033, 3040
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