referenssijännitepiiriä

Referenssijännitepiiri, or voltage reference circuit in English, is an electronic circuit designed to produce a stable, constant voltage output that is largely independent of variations in input voltage, temperature, and load. This stable output voltage serves as a reliable reference point for other circuits.

These circuits are crucial in analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), digital-to-analog converters (DACs), power management systems, and precision measurement equipment. Without a stable voltage reference, the accuracy and performance of these systems would be significantly compromised.

Common types of voltage reference circuits include bandgap references and buried Zener references. Bandgap references utilize the temperature-dependent voltage characteristics of semiconductor junctions, such as the base-emitter voltage of a bipolar transistor, to create a reference voltage that exhibits minimal drift over a wide temperature range. Buried Zener diodes, on the other hand, are designed to operate in a specific breakdown region, providing a highly stable voltage output.

The performance of a voltage reference is often characterized by its accuracy, temperature stability (drift), and long-term stability. These parameters determine how precisely the circuit can maintain its reference voltage under various operating conditions. The choice of a specific voltage reference circuit depends on the application's requirements for accuracy, power consumption, and cost.