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Original question:

LM2901: IOL(Low-level output current) in case of VCC=15V

LM2901: Would like clarification on what the minimum low level output current parameter means

Adedamola Olaloko
Prodigy 40 points
Part Number: LM2901


In the LM2901 datasheet, table 7.8, it states that the Iol at a Vol of 1.5V is a minimum of 6mA. Does that mean that the output can only be guaranteed to sink 6mA? Or is it saying that at Vol = 1.5V, the amount of current it can sink is at least 6 mA, but typically 16 mA. 

  • 0
    TI__Expert 4555 points
    Hi Adedamola,

    Your second assumption was correct: the amount of current it sinks is at least 6mA, but typically is 16mA for Vol = 1.5V.

    Regards,
    Jonny
  • 0 in reply to Jonathan Nguyen
    Prodigy 40 points
    Thanks for the quick reply.

    I think I'm still a bit confused between the low level output voltage and low level output current parameters and how they relate to each other.

    So the low level output voltage parameter is saying that at a sink current of 4mA, the max low level voltage is 0.7V
    But at a current sink of 6mA, there could be a low level output voltage of 1.5V?
  • 0 in reply to Adedamola Olaloko
    TI__Expert 4555 points
    Hi,

    Yes these statements are true for those specific test conditions. For more clarification on the Vol spec, a 4mA current source was tied to output when pulled low, and across all Temperature ranges, the typ voltage was 150mV, and the max that was seen was 0.7V.

    The reason 4mA was used for the test condition has to do with typical applications (normally with LEDs) that were common when this part first released.

    For the Iol characteristic, output was pulled low and was shorted to a 1.5V supply, and current measurements were taken from this condition.

    For a more direct relationship between the output current and voltage, please see Figure 3 on p.10 of the datasheet: www.ti.com/.../lm2901.pdf

    Regards,
    Jonny