Voltage Reference Drift Error
error(ppm) = TC · ΔT
Quick answer
This calculator solves error(ppm) = TC(ppm/°C) × ΔT(°C) for Error. With Temp Coefficient 50 ppm/°C, Temperature Span 50 °C, the result is 2500. It solves in 3 directions, so you can enter the values you have and get the one you need.
Calculator
Formula
Description
A voltage reference drifts with temperature at a rate given by its temperature coefficient. Over an operating temperature span this produces a total error in parts-per-million of the output. This drift often dominates a precision measurement’s accuracy budget, so the reference tempco—not the ADC resolution—frequently sets the real system accuracy.
Variables
- error — Total drift error (ppm)
- TC — Temperature coefficient (ppm/°C)
- ΔT — Operating temperature span (°C)
Practical Notes
A 10 ppm/°C reference over a 50 °C span drifts 500 ppm ≈ 0.05%—enough to swamp a 16-bit ADC (15 ppm/LSB). For high accuracy choose a few-ppm/°C reference and limit ΔT.
Symbols and units
| Symbol | Meaning | Default unit | Accepted units |
|---|---|---|---|
| errppm | Error | — | — |
| TC | Temp Coefficient | ppm/°C | ppm/°C |
| dT | Temperature Span | °C | °C |
Step by step
- 1. What you know: Temp Coefficient 50 ppm/°C, Temperature Span 50 °C
- 2. The relation: error(ppm) = TC(ppm/°C) × ΔT(°C)
- 3. Substitute: TC = 50 ppm/°C, dT = 50 °C
- 4. Result: Error = 2500
Worked examples
Minimum range
Given: Temp Coefficient 0.5 ppm/°C, Temperature Span 2.5 °C
Result: Error = 1.25
Low range
Given: Temp Coefficient 5 ppm/°C, Temperature Span 25 °C
Result: Error = 125
Typical
Given: Temp Coefficient 50 ppm/°C, Temperature Span 50 °C
Result: Error = 2500
High range
Given: Temp Coefficient 200 ppm/°C, Temperature Span 85 °C
Result: Error = 17000
Maximum range
Given: Temp Coefficient 2000 ppm/°C, Temperature Span 850 °C
Result: Error = 1.7 × 10⁶
Solving for each variable
Solve for Error
Temp Coefficient 0.5 ppm/°C, Temperature Span 2.5 °C → 1.25
Solve for Temp Coefficient
Error 0.025, Temperature Span 2.5 °C → 0.01 ppm/°C
Solve for Temperature Span
Error 0.025, Temp Coefficient 0.5 ppm/°C → 0.05 °C
How Error changes with Temp Coefficient
| Temp Coefficient (input) | Error (result) |
|---|---|
| 5 ppm/°C | 250 |
| 12.5 ppm/°C | 625 |
| 25 ppm/°C | 1250 |
| 37.5 ppm/°C | 1875 |
| 50 ppm/°C | 2500 |
| 75 ppm/°C | 3750 |
| 100 ppm/°C | 5000 |
| 200 ppm/°C | 10000 |
| 350 ppm/°C | 17500 |
| 500 ppm/°C | 25000 |
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<p><a href="https://vbatpower.com/formulas/vref-drift-error/">Voltage Reference Drift Error</a> Calculator by vbatpower.com</p>Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate Voltage Reference Drift Error?
Use error(ppm) = TC(ppm/°C) × ΔT(°C). With Temp Coefficient 50 ppm/°C, Temperature Span 50 °C, Error works out to 2500.
What is the formula for Voltage Reference Drift Error?
The formula is error(ppm) = TC(ppm/°C) × ΔT(°C). A voltage reference drifts with temperature at a rate given by its temperature coefficient.
How do you find Temp Coefficient when you know the other values?
Rearrange for Temp Coefficient: with Error 0.025, Temperature Span 2.5 °C, Temp Coefficient is 0.01 ppm/°C.
How do you find Temperature Span when you know the other values?
Rearrange for Temperature Span: with Error 0.025, Temp Coefficient 0.5 ppm/°C, Temperature Span is 0.05 °C.
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