Texas Instruments TLV74115PDBVR

Overview

TLV74115PDBVR from Texas Instruments is a 150-mA, low-dropout linear regulator (LDO) with foldback current limit, designed for power-sensitive portable applications. It delivers 1.5-V fixed output voltage with ±1.5% accuracy over –40°C to +125°C, 230-mV dropout at 150 mA, and 50-µA quiescent current. It operates from 1.4 V to 5.5 V input and supports stable regulation with only a 1-µF ceramic output capacitor.

For engineers reviewing the TLV74115PDBVR datasheet, TLV74115PDBVR pinout, TLV74115PDBVR application, or TLV74115PDBVR equivalent, key selection criteria include its active output discharge capability (P-version), foldback current limiting for short-circuit protection, thermal shutdown at 158°C, and compatibility with battery-powered microcontroller supply rails such as MSP430.

Technical Context

The TLV74115PDBVR uses a PMOS pass transistor architecture enabling ultra-low dropout and inherent reverse-voltage blocking. Its internal UVLO circuit disables output until VIN exceeds minimum operating voltage, and an active pulldown resistor (120 Ω) discharges the output during shutdown.

It implements foldback current limiting: output current reduces progressively as VOUT drops, delivering ~40 mA into short-circuit while preventing thermal runaway. Transient response and PSRR (65 dB at 1 kHz) are optimized for RF-sensitive loads like wireless modules and low-power MCUs.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

TLV74115PDBVR is packaged in a 5-pin SOT-23 (DBV) with 2.90 mm × 1.60 mm body size and exposed pad thermally connected to GND.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar LDO regulator applications.

Compared with TLS850F0TESK and TPS70615DBVR, TLV74115PDBVR uniquely combines 150-mA capacity, foldback current limiting, active output discharge, and 1.5-V precision in a 5-pin SOT-23 - making it optimal for space-constrained, battery-operated portable electronics requiring autonomous fault handling.

Availability

TLV74115PDBVR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for wearable sensor nodes, BLE peripheral power rails, MSP430-based data loggers, industrial handheld terminals, and ultra-low-power IoT edge devices requiring stable component supply across long production lifecycles.

Supply support for TLV74115PDBVR includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor company specializing in analog and embedded processing technologies, with leadership in power management ICs and low-power system solutions.

The TLV741P family was engineered for next-generation portable electronics demanding ultra-low IQ, fast transient response, and robust fault protection - targeting battery-powered MCUs, wearables, and RF subsystems.

FAQ

What is the output voltage tolerance of TLV74115PDBVR over temperature?

The TLV74115PDBVR maintains ±1.5% output voltage accuracy across the full operating junction temperature range of –40°C to +125°C. At 25°C, DC output accuracy is tighter at ±1% for VOUT ≥1.8 V - however, since TLV74115PDBVR is a 1.5-V variant, the –40°C to +125°C spec applies directly. This ensures reliable core voltage for low-voltage MCUs without calibration overhead.

Does TLV74115PDBVR support active output discharge, and how does it work?

Yes, TLV74115PDBVR includes active output discharge via an internal 120-Ω pulldown resistor engaged when EN is low or during UVLO. This discharges the output capacitor with a time constant dependent on COUT and parallel load resistance (τ ≈ 120·COUT·RL/(120+RL)). The feature ensures rapid rail collapse during sleep transitions - critical for deterministic power sequencing in multi-rail systems using TLV74115PDBVR.

What is the minimum input voltage required for TLV74115PDBVR to regulate 1.5 V at 150 mA?

The minimum input voltage is determined by dropout: TLV74115PDBVR requires VIN ≥ VOUT + VDO = 1.5 V + 0.23 V = 1.73 V at 150 mA and TJ ≤85°C. At 125°C, VDO rises to 540 mV, so VIN must be ≥2.04 V. This enables operation across most of a single Li-ion cell's discharge curve (4.2 V → 2.8 V), making TLV74115PDBVR ideal for compact battery-powered designs.

Can TLV74115PDBVR be used with ceramic output capacitors smaller than 1 µF?

No - the TLV74115PDBVR is characterized and guaranteed stable only with ≥1 µF ceramic output capacitance (X5R/X7R dielectric). Using smaller values risks oscillation or degraded transient response. TI explicitly recommends ≥1 µF placed within 3 mm of the OUT pin; 0.47 µF or 0.22 µF capacitors are insufficient and violate the stability condition defined in the datasheet's Recommended Operating Conditions table.

How does the foldback current limit in TLV74115PDBVR protect the device during output short-circuit?

Under short-circuit, TLV74115PDBVR reduces output current progressively as VOUT falls - unlike constant-current limiters, this foldback behavior lowers power dissipation in the PMOS pass element. At VOUT ≈ 0 V, typical short-circuit current is 40 mA. Combined with thermal shutdown (158°C trip), this prevents destructive overheating and enables safe auto-recovery once the fault clears - a key reliability advantage over non-foldback LDOs in TLV74115PDBVR's target applications.