Package and integration story
The LM50CIM3 comes in a SOT-23-3 surface-mount package (Supplier Device Package SOT-23-3), which means it occupies minimal PCB area and reflows with standard lead-free profiles. The 3-pin footprint is a common industry standard, making board layout straightforward and second-sourcing simple. Available in Tape & Reel (TR) or Cut Tape (CT) packaging, the part suits both high-volume pick-and-place assembly and prototype builds.
Analog output — direct readout without scaling
The sensor outputs an analog voltage proportional to temperature at 10 mV/°C. This means a microcontroller's ADC can read temperature directly without external amplification or cold-junction compensation — the voltage at 25°C is 750 mV, and each degree adds or subtracts 10 mV. Supply voltage range is 4.5 V to 10 V, so the LM50CIM3 runs from a standard 5 V rail or a 9 V battery without a separate regulator. The output voltage is ratiometric to the supply, but the 10 mV/°C scale factor is independent of supply as long as it stays within the rated range.
Accuracy and temperature range for BOM fit
Accuracy is ±3°C typical and ±4°C maximum over the full -40°C to +125°C sensing range. This is adequate for system-level thermal monitoring — PCB temperature, ambient air near a heatsink, or enclosure hot-spot detection — where 3°C uncertainty is acceptable. The sensor measures its own die temperature (local sensing), so it must be in thermal contact with the target. The device operates over -40°C to +150°C ambient, which covers industrial, automotive, and outdoor telecom enclosures. The sensing range is limited to -40°C to +125°C, matching the accuracy spec window.