Checked a few micro-power shunt references this morning. The ROHS compliant versions of the LM385 were called "mature" on the Arrow web site and that word always makes my neck hairs stand up. Could this mean it's headed for lalaland? If so, which micro-power shunt refs are engineers using instead these days? The TLV431 is kind of out in my case, too much cathode current.
I use LM4040, but its 60 uA min vs the 10-20u of your 385. The SC70 package is nice, though .
National's site shows 385 in full production for all its variants, maybe its not doomed...
Steve
The LM385 is a "High Side Adjustable Current Reference" vs. the TL431 family which has a low side reference. Is there any other HSACRs with low Ik beside the LM385 in a SMD? The LM385 do not come in SMD so they probably will be phased out. Regards, Harry
It does come in SOT-23 and also TSSOP. LM385M3X-1.2 would be the SOT-23 version from National, for example.
Yes, they list them as active. I am just wondering why Arrow calls them "mature". Usually that isn't a good sign. Also, I've had instances in the past, like with a log amp chip, where there was full production indication and then suddenly poof. As if someone had turned the lights off. The purchasing manager came down the hallway, all red in the face.
I have used the LM4040 on the design that I am wrapping up right now but on this next one 60uA would be too much. That low power requirement bites everywhere. For example, I'd really like to use a chunk of a LP339 as a linear amp but there isn't much info around to calculate the loop stabilization. Just hanging 1uF at the output is kind of crude and won't work here anyway.
Why doesn't the adjustable version come in SOT-23?
robert
Joerg, Where did you find the adjustable LM385 in a SOT-23 pack??
The adjustable only comes in SOIC, AFAIK. That would be LM385BM. Digikey has some but they are kind of pricey.
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