The TMP36 temperature sensor is a popular choice for accurate and straightforward temperature measurement in both analog and digital systems. This article will discuss the TMP36 temperature sensor’s variants and packages, pinout, working principle, internal circuit operation, technical specifications, and more.

Catalog

TMP36 Temperature Sensor Basic

The TMP36 temperature sensor is a low-voltage analog sensor designed to measure ambient temperature accurately and easily. Manufactured by Analog Devices, it provides a linear voltage output that directly represents temperature, making it simple to interface with microcontroller and analog circuits.

The TMP36 operates over a wide temperature range of approximately −40 °C to +125 °C and works with supply voltages from 2.7 V to 5.5 V. It outputs 10 mV per degree Celsius with a 500 mV offset at 0 °C, which means no external calibration is required.

TMP36 Temperature Sensor Variants and Package Options

TMP36 Temperature Sensor Pinout Details

Alternatives & Equivalent Model

Simplified Equivalent Circuit

The equivalent circuit diagram of the TMP36 temperature sensor shows how the device converts temperature into a stable and accurate voltage output. At the core of the circuit is a bandgap reference, built using matched bipolar transistors with different emitter areas. This structure creates a voltage difference that changes predictably with temperature, forming the basic temperature-sensing element.

Transistors and resistors inside the circuit scale this temperature-dependent voltage to produce a linear output of 10 mV per °C with a 500 mV offset at 0 °C. This offset allows the TMP36 to measure both positive and negative temperatures without requiring a negative supply voltage.

The output stage buffers the internal signal and provides sufficient drive capability, ensuring a stable voltage at the output pin even when connected to external circuits.

Functional Block Diagram

The functional block diagram of the TMP36 temperature sensor shows a simplified view of how the device operates and connects within a system. The sensor is powered through the +VS pin, which accepts a supply voltage from 2.7 V to 5.5 V, making it suitable for low-power and battery-operated applications. The GND pin provides the reference ground for stable operation.

The VOUT pin delivers an analog voltage that is directly proportional to the measured temperature. This output is factory-calibrated and linear, allowing temperature to be read easily by an analog-to-digital converter without additional signal conditioning.

The SHUTDOWN pin allows the sensor to be placed into a low-power mode when temperature measurements are not needed. This feature reduces current consumption and is especially useful in energy-efficient designs.

Technical Specifications

TMP36 Temperature Sensor Features

Calibrated Directly in Degrees Celsius

The TMP36 provides an output voltage that directly corresponds to temperature in degrees Celsius. This means no extra calculations or complex conversions are required, making it very easy to use in both analog and digital temperature-measurement applications.

Linear Voltage Output

The sensor produces a linear output of 10 mV per °C, which simplifies temperature reading and system design. Because the output changes evenly with temperature, it is easy to interface with microcontrollers, ADCs, and data acquisition systems.

Wide Temperature Measurement Range

The TMP36 can measure temperatures from approximately −40°C to +125°C. This wide range allows it to be used in many environments, including industrial equipment, consumer electronics, and outdoor applications.

Low Operating Voltage

It operates from a single supply voltage between 2.7 V and 5.5 V. This low voltage requirement makes the TMP36 ideal for battery-powered devices and low-power embedded systems.

Low Power Consumption

The sensor draws very little current during operation, which helps reduce overall power usage. This feature is especially important for portable devices, IoT projects, and energy-efficient designs.

No External Calibration Required

The TMP36 is factory-calibrated, so it works accurately right out of the box. Designers do not need to add trimming components or perform manual calibration, saving both time and cost during development.

High Accuracy Over Typical Temperature Range

The device offers good accuracy over common operating temperatures, making it reliable for most general-purpose temperature monitoring tasks. This accuracy is sufficient for applications such as thermal protection, system monitoring, and environmental sensing.

Simple Analog Interface

With just three pins-power, ground, and output-the TMP36 is very easy to connect. This simple interface reduces wiring complexity and makes it suitable for beginners as well as professional designs.

Stable Output with Low Noise

The TMP36 provides a stable analog output with minimal noise, which helps ensure consistent temperature readings. This stability is important in systems where small temperature changes must be detected accurately without signal fluctuation.

Good Long-Term Reliability

Designed for long operating life, the TMP36 maintains consistent performance over time. This makes it suitable for applications that require continuous temperature monitoring without frequent replacement or recalibration.

Fast Thermal Response Time

The sensor responds quickly to temperature changes, allowing systems to react faster to rising or falling temperatures. This is useful in protection circuits, thermal shutdown systems, and real-time monitoring applications.

Insensitive to Supply Voltage Variations

Changes in supply voltage have little effect on the output accuracy of the TMP36. This feature improves reliability in systems where the power supply may fluctuate slightly, such as battery-powered or portable devices.

Operates Without External Components

The TMP36 does not require external resistors, capacitors, or reference voltages for basic operation. This simplifies circuit design, reduces component count, and lowers overall system cost.

Compact Package Options

Available in small package types, the TMP36 fits easily into space-constrained designs. Its compact size makes it suitable for dense PCBs, compact consumer electronics, and embedded modules.

Compatible with Most Microcontrollers

The analog output voltage range of the TMP36 is compatible with the ADC inputs of most microcontrollers. This allows easy integration into Arduino, PIC, ARM, and other embedded platforms without special interfacing circuits.

Negative Temperature Measurement Capability

Unlike some sensors that only work above 0°C, the TMP36 can accurately measure negative temperatures. This makes it useful for refrigeration systems, cold storage monitoring, and outdoor temperature sensing.

TMP36 Working in a Circuit

The TMP36 is a low-voltage, linear analog temperature sensor that outputs a voltage directly proportional to the ambient temperature. It is simple to use and requires only a few external components to operate reliably.

In a typical circuit, the +VS pin is connected to a power supply (usually 2.7 V to 5.5 V), the GND pin is tied to the circuit ground, and the VOUT pin provides an analog voltage that represents temperature. A small 0.1 µF decoupling capacitor is placed between the supply and ground to reduce noise and improve stability.

The TMP36 has a linear output scale of 10 mV/°C with a 500 mV offset at 0 °C. This offset allows the sensor to measure temperatures below freezing without requiring a negative supply voltage. The temperature can be calculated using the formula:

Temperature (°C) = (VOUT − 500 mV) ÷ 10 mV

In the example circuit shown, a resistor divider (R1 and R2) is used to scale or reference the output voltage for specific measurement ranges or interfaces. For instance, the output reads approximately 18 mV at −40 °F and about 315 mV at +257 °F, showing how the voltage increases steadily with temperature.

To use TMP36 with a microcontroller, simply connect VOUT to an ADC pin and convert the measured voltage into temperature using the formula above. Its low power consumption, good accuracy, and minimal external components make the TMP36 ideal for embedded systems, environmental monitoring, consumer electronics, and hobby projects.

TMP36 Sensor Applications

• Ambient air temperature monitoring

• Consumer electronics thermal sensing

• Microcontroller-based temperature projects (Arduino, Raspberry Pi, etc.)

• HVAC and climate control systems

• Battery temperature monitoring

• Power supply thermal protection

• Industrial equipment temperature sensing

• Automotive interior temperature measurement

• Medical and health monitoring devices

• Data loggers and weather stations

• Home automation and smart devices

• Over-temperature detection and alarms

Comparison: TMP36 vs LM35

TMP36 Mechanical Dimensions

Manufacturer

Analog Devices, Inc. manufactures the TMP36 using precision analog design, proven semiconductor processes, and strict quality control. Advanced wafer fabrication, automated assembly, and factory calibration ensure consistent accuracy, low power consumption, and reliable performance, enabling high-volume production and long-term product availability.