Dallas Semiconductor’s DS4303 is claimed to be the world’s first sampleand- infinite-hold voltage reference. It replaces a standard voltage reference plus discrete resistor or potentiometer in embedded systems requiring voltage adjustment during factory calibration. Because it is electrically programmable, the DS4303 can be used to automate the calibration process, which contributes to improved quality, increased assembly throughput, and lower production costs. Its inexpensive price ($0.35/ 10K-up) and small size (5-pin SOT23 package) make the DS4303 suitable for a wide variety of applications.
The DS4303 is intended for use in closedloop calibration systems. Itsamples a user-applied input voltage and then “locks in” this voltage at its output which, in turn, sets the parameter being calibrated.
The system output must then be measured for accuracy and, if necessary, the input voltage can beadjusted and resampled to improve system output accuracy. This procedure can be repeated as many times as necessary.
