Adjustable shunt reference for precision bias and feedback
This makes it a flexible building block for biasing ADCs and DACs, setting comparator thresholds, or providing a stable reference for switching power supply feedback loops. As a shunt (two-terminal) reference, it behaves like a precision Zener diode: it regulates the voltage across itself by shunting current through the cathode. The device requires a minimum cathode current of 65 µA to maintain regulation, and can sink up to 12 mA of output current while holding the set voltage.
The ±0.5% initial tolerance means that at 25°C, the output voltage will be within 0.5% of the programmed value — for a 2.5 V setpoint, that is ±12.5 mV. This is a solid mid-grade accuracy tier, suitable for 10- to 12-bit ADC references and general-purpose biasing where a 1% or 2% reference would leave too little margin. The temperature coefficient of 100 ppm/°C adds a drift of roughly 0.25 mV per 25°C swing on a 2.5 V output.
SOT-23-3 footprint and industrial temperature grade
The device is offered in a standard SOT-23-3 package (also known as TO-236-3 or SC-59). The small package does limit power dissipation; the 12 mA output current rating is the practical ceiling before the junction temperature rises significantly.