Texas Instruments TPS2384PAPRG4

Overview

TPS2384PAPRG4 from Texas Instruments is a quad-port IEEE 802.3af-compliant Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) power manager IC with integrated FETs and sense resistors, operating from a single 44–57-V input supply, featuring four independent 15-bit A/D converters for port voltage/current/resistance/die temperature measurement, and supporting auto, semi-auto, and power management modes for PoE mid-span and switch applications.

For engineers reviewing the TPS2384PAPRG4 datasheet, TPS2384PAPRG4 pinout, TPS2384PAPRG4 application, or TPS2384PAPRG4 equivalent, key selection criteria include its 48-V input operation, integrated switching architecture eliminating external FETs/sense resistors per port, 400-kHz I²C interface, –40°C to 125°C junction temperature range, and support for legacy PD detection and AC disconnect functionality.

Technical Context

The TPS2384PAPRG4 implements a fully integrated PSE front-end with internal 10-V, 6.3-V, and 3.3-V analog/digital supplies derived from the 48-V input, enabling autonomous port sequencing in auto mode and microcontroller-driven control via I²C in power management mode. Its proprietary integrating A/D architecture achieves high noise immunity-optimized for 60-Hz rejection-using CINT capacitors and RBIAS resistors to set timing and bias currents.

Each of the four ports features independent current ramp control for EMI reduction and bulk capacitance charging, DC/DC-modulated disconnect, overtemperature protection, and dual-stage detection (discovery + classification) compliant with IEEE 802.3af. The device supports both isolated (optocoupled SDA_O) and non-isolated I²C configurations, with five address pins enabling up to 31 unique I²C addresses on a shared bus.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

TPS2384PAPRG4 is housed in a 64-pin HTQFP package (10.0 mm × 10.0 mm) with PowerPAD™ down thermal pad (PAP suffix), requiring PCB copper exposure under the exposed pad for optimal thermal dissipation. The package supports JEDEC-standard reflow and includes dedicated analog/digital/reference ground pins (AG1, AG2, DG, RG) for noise isolation.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar Power over Ethernet (PoE) PSE applications.

Compared with TPS2384PAPRG4, TPS23861RGER trades quad-port concurrency for higher per-port power and smaller size, while MAX5984AEUI+T offers functional parity at lower resolution and reduced feature depth - making TPS2384PAPRG4 optimal for high-fidelity, multi-port PoE systems demanding full IEEE 802.3af implementation with legacy support and thermal robustness.

Availability

TPS2384PAPRG4 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for enterprise Ethernet switches, PoE mid-spans, SOHO hubs, and industrial gateways requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and guaranteed traceable sourcing.

Supply support for TPS2384PAPRG4 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 power management technologies, with decades of leadership in Power over Ethernet solutions.

The TPS2384PAPRG4 belongs to TI's Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) portfolio, engineered specifically for high-reliability, multi-port PoE infrastructure where integrated switching, precision A/D measurement, and IEEE 802.3af compliance are critical.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the TPS2384PAPRG4 in a PoE system?

The TPS2384PAPRG4 serves as a quad-port Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) power manager that autonomously or controller-directed discovers, classifies, and delivers power to IEEE 802.3af-compliant Powered Devices (PDs) over Ethernet cabling. It integrates all necessary switching elements and sensing circuitry per port, eliminating external FETs and current-sense resistors. Its role is central to enabling reliable, standards-compliant PoE delivery in switches, mid-spans, and injectors - with the TPS2384PAPRG4 specifically designed to manage four ports simultaneously while maintaining full compliance and diagnostic visibility.

Does the TPS2384PAPRG4 support legacy (non-802.3af) PD detection?

Yes, the TPS2384PAPRG4 explicitly supports legacy PD detection through dedicated circuitry that applies a current-limited test voltage and monitors return current to identify non-compliant devices. Its legacy detection threshold is specified at 2.6–4.3 mA, and it includes separate A/D conversion scaling (1365–1445 counts/V) optimized for legacy voltage measurements. This capability allows the TPS2384PAPRG4 to coexist with older PoE devices in mixed deployments - a feature confirmed in the official datasheet's "Legacy Detection" section and functional description, ensuring backward compatibility without requiring external components.

What thermal management considerations apply to the TPS2384PAPRG4 package?

The TPS2384PAPRG4 uses a 64-pin HTQFP package with PowerPAD™ down (PAP), requiring direct thermal connection of the exposed pad to a large PCB copper pour for effective heat dissipation. Its junction-to-board thermal resistance (RθJB) is 6.9°C/W, and junction-to-ambient (RθJA) is 23.9°C/W with proper layout. To maintain operation within the –40°C to 125°C junction limit, designers must ensure low-impedance thermal vias under the PowerPAD™, separate analog/digital ground planes tied at a single point near AG1/AG2/DG/RG, and avoid routing noisy signals near CINT or RBIAS nodes. These requirements are validated in the datasheet's Thermal Information and Layout sections.

How does the TPS2384PAPRG4 implement AC disconnect functionality?

The TPS2384PAPRG4 provides AC disconnect support via two dedicated totem-pole output pins: AC_LO and AC_HI. These pins drive external AC coupling circuitry (e.g., transformers or capacitors) to inject an AC signal onto the Ethernet pair, triggering disconnect in legacy PDs that lack DC disconnect capability. AC_LO has a low-output voltage ≤0.5 V and high-output voltage of 3.0–5.0 V; AC_HI delivers 5.0–7.0 V high output. This feature is documented in the Pin Functions table and Functional Description, and is enabled only in power management mode via I²C register control - distinguishing it from the DC disconnect behavior inherent to all operational modes.

Can the TPS2384PAPRG4 operate without a microcontroller?

Yes, the TPS2384PAPRG4 supports standalone operation in auto mode, activated by pulling the MS pin low. In this configuration, it autonomously sequences through discovery, classification, and power-on for all four ports without external intervention - ideal for simple, cost-sensitive PoE injectors or unmanaged switches. The device includes internal POR, clock generation (via CT/RBIAS), and fault recovery logic. All timing and thresholds are factory-trimmed and temperature-compensated, enabling full IEEE 802.3af compliance out-of-the-box - as verified in the datasheet's Auto Mode description and Typical Application diagram.