
Electrical Characteristics
(Notes 2, 4) (Continued)
Note 1:
Absolute Maximum Ratings indicate limits beyond which damage to the device may occur. Operating Ratings indicate conditions for which the device is func-
tional, but do not guarantee specific performance limits. Electrical Characteristics state DC andAC electrical specifications under particular test conditions which guar-
antee specific performance limits. This assumes that the device is within the Operating Ratings. Specifications are not guaranteed for parameters where no limit is
given, however, the typical value is a good indication of device performance.
Note 2:
Unless otherwise stated, all specifications apply with the following conditions:
3 V
DC
≤
V
+
≤
20 V
DC
0.015V
≤
V
RLO
≤
12 V
DC
T
A
= 25C, I
L(REF)
= 0.2 mA, pin 9 connected to pin 3 (bar mode).
3 V
DC
≤
V
LED
≤
V
+
For higher power dissipations, pulse testing is used.
0.015V
≤
V
RHI
≤
12 V
DC
Note 3:
Accuracy is measured referred to 0 dB = + 10.000 V
at pin 5, with + 10.000 V
DC
at pin 6, and 0.000 V
DC
at pin 4. At lower full scale voltages, buffer and
comparator offset voltage may add significant error. See table for threshold voltages.
Note 4:
Pin 5 input current must be limited to
±
3 mA. The addition of a 39k resistor in series with pin 5 allows
±
100V signals without damage.
Note 5:
Bar mode results when pin 9 is within 20 mV of V
+
. Dot mode results when pin 9 is pulled at least 200 mV below V
+
. LED
#
10 (pin 10 output current) is dis-
abled if pin 9 is pulled 0.9V or more below V
LED
.
Note 6:
The maximum junction temperature of the LM3915 is 100C. Devices must be derated for operation at elevated temperatures. Junction to ambient thermal
resistance is 55C/W for the molded DIP (N package).
V
REF
, V
RHI
, V
RLO
≤
(V
+
1.5V)
0V
≤
V
IN
≤
V
+
1.5V
Threshold Voltage
(Note 3)
Output
1
2
3
4
5
dB
27
24
21
18
15
Min
0.422
0.596
0.841
1.189
1.679
Typ
0.447
0.631
0.891
1.259
1.778
Max
0.531
0.750
1.059
1.413
1.995
Output
6
7
8
9
10
dB
12
9
6
3
0
Min
2.372
3.350
4.732
6.683
9.985
Typ
2.512
3.548
5.012
7.079
10
Max
2.819
3.825
5.309
7.498
10.015
Typical Performance Characteristics
Supply Current vs Temperature
DS005104-34
Operating Input Bias Current vs
Temperature
DS005104-35
Reference Voltage vs
Temperature
DS005104-36
Reference Adjust Pin
Current vs Temperature
DS005104-37
LED Current-Regulation
Dropout
DS005104-38
LED Driver Saturation
Voltage
DS005104-39
L
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