4.096 V shunt reference in a SOT-23-3 — what it does and where it fits
The Texas Instruments TL4050C41IDBZT is a precision shunt voltage reference delivering a fixed 4.096 V output with ±0.5% initial tolerance. It is housed in a SOT-23-3 package and operates over -40°C to 85°C, making it a compact bias source for ADC references, comparator thresholds, and sensor excitation in industrial control loops, battery management, and instrumentation front-ends. As a shunt reference, it behaves like a Zener diode — it requires an external series resistor to set the bias current. The cathode current is 73 µA typical, and the device can sink up to 15 mA, so the resistor value is chosen to keep the current within that window across the supply and load range.
What the key ratings mean for your BOM
The 4.096 V output is a common full-scale voltage for ADCs with a 4.096 V reference input. The ±0.5% tolerance is adequate for general-purpose measurement and control.
Lifecycle and sourcing posture
The TL4050C41IDBZT is listed as Active on TI's product status and is ROHS3 compliant. There is no end-of-life notice or last-time-buy window in effect, so it can be specified into new designs without near-term obsolescence risk.