Texas Instruments TPS2046D

Overview

TPS2046D from Texas Instruments is a dual-channel, current-limited, high-side power-distribution switch featuring two 135-mΩ N-channel MOSFETs, 250 mA continuous per channel, active-low enable logic, and independent overcurrent/thermal protection with open-drain OCx outputs. It operates from 2.7 V to 5.5 V and is used in USB peripheral power management, hot-plug insertion, and PC peripheral distribution.

For engineers reviewing the TPS2046D datasheet, TPS2046D pinout, TPS2046D application, or TPS2046D equivalent, key selection criteria include its 250 mA per-channel continuous rating, 0.44 A short-circuit limit at 25°C, SOIC-8 package, undervoltage lockout (~2 V), and thermal shutdown with 20°C hysteresis - all critical for robust 5-V bus-powered system design.

Technical Context

The TPS2046D integrates two independent high-side switches with internal charge-pump gate drive enabling operation down to 2.7 V input while maintaining fast 2.5-ms typical rise time and controlled 4.4-ms fall time. Each channel features dedicated current-sense FETs and thermal sensing circuitry that independently trips at ~140°C junction temperature.

Its active-low enable inputs (EN1/EN2) interface directly with 3.3-V/5-V logic, and overcurrent outputs (OC1/OC2) are open-drain with 10 mA sink capability and 0.5 V max low-level voltage at 5 mA - supporting direct connection to microcontroller interrupt pins or pull-up logic without level-shifting.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

TPS2046D is housed in an 8-pin SOIC (D) package with standard 1.27 mm pitch, surface-mount footprint, and tape-and-reel availability (TPS2046DR). The package supports reflow soldering and offers 172°C/W junction-to-ambient thermal resistance.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar dual-channel power-switch applications.

Compared with TPS2046D, TPS2056D offers identical protection and performance with inverted enable polarity - ideal for logic-consistent designs - while AP2152MPG-13 trades integration and diagnostics for higher single-channel current, necessitating board-level redesign.

Availability

TPS2046D is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for USB peripheral hubs, hot-plug docking stations, and notebook accessory power distribution requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and traceable sourcing.

Supply support for TPS2046D 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 leader specializing in analog, embedded processing, and connectivity technologies with decades of power-management innovation.

The TPS2046D belongs to TI's legacy power-distribution switch family designed specifically for USB-compliant, hot-pluggable 5-V peripheral power control with integrated fault protection and minimal external components.

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous current per channel for the TPS2046D?

The TPS2046D supports 250 mA continuous current per channel across the full operating ambient temperature range of –40°C to 85°C. This rating is validated in the SOIC-8 (D) package with proper PCB copper area and airflow. Exceeding this current may trigger current-limit mode or thermal shutdown depending on load conditions and thermal environment. The TPS2046D maintains this rating without external heatsinking under typical desktop or peripheral enclosure conditions.

Does the TPS2046D support 3.3-V logic-level enable inputs?

Yes, the TPS2046D EN1 and EN2 inputs are fully compatible with 3.3-V logic: a logic low ≤0.4 V (at VI(IN) ≥2.7 V) reliably enables the respective channel, and a logic high ≥2.0 V disables it. Input leakage is ≤0.5 µA, ensuring minimal loading on microcontroller GPIOs. No level-shifting circuitry is required when interfacing with 3.3-V MCUs or FPGAs, simplifying system design and reducing BOM cost.

How does the TPS2046D respond to a short-circuit event on one channel?

When a short occurs on OUT1 or OUT2, the TPS2046D immediately enters constant-current mode at ~0.44 A (25°C), clamping output voltage while asserting the corresponding OC1 or OC2 pin low. If the fault persists, junction temperature rises; at ~140°C, only the affected channel shuts down - the other remains operational. Recovery is automatic after cooling ~20°C. This per-channel autonomy prevents cascading failure in multi-port systems like USB hubs.

Can the TPS2046D be used in a 3.3-V input application?

Yes, the TPS2046D operates down to 2.7 V input, making it suitable for 3.3-V rail applications. At 3.3 V, R_DS(on) increases to 105 mΩ (typical, 25°C), resulting in ~262 mV dropout at 250 mA - still within acceptable limits for many 3.3-V peripheral supplies. The internal charge pump ensures reliable gate drive, and all protections (UVLO, overcurrent, thermal) remain fully functional. System designers should verify junction temperature under worst-case load at 3.3 V using the provided dissipation equations.

What is the purpose of the OC1 and OC2 pins on the TPS2046D?

The OC1 and OC2 pins on the TPS2046D are open-drain outputs that go low during overcurrent or overtemperature events on their respective channels. They provide real-time fault status to host controllers without requiring polling. Each pin can sink up to 10 mA and must be pulled up externally (e.g., to 3.3 V or 5 V). These signals enable precise diagnostics - for example, identifying which USB port caused a fault in a hub - and support automatic recovery or user alerting in embedded systems.