Texas Instruments TPS54310PWPR

Overview

TPS54310 from Texas Instruments is a synchronous-buck PWM DC/DC converter with integrated 60-mΩ high- and low-side MOSFETs, supporting 3-V to 6-V input and delivering up to 3-A continuous output current at adjustable voltages down to 0.9 V with 1% reference accuracy. It features externally compensated control loop, fast transient response, and thermal shutdown protection - deployed in point-of-load regulation for FPGAs and microprocessors.

For engineers reviewing the TPS54310 datasheet, TPS54310 pinout, TPS54310 application, or TPS54310 equivalent, key selection considerations include its 20-pin HTSSOP PowerPAD™ package, adjustable switching frequency (280–700 kHz), internal UVLO (2.95 V start), power-good signaling, and external slow-start capacitor support for controlled ramp-up.

Technical Context

The TPS54310 implements a voltage-mode PWM architecture with a high-performance error amplifier (90–110 dB open-loop gain, 3–5 MHz unity-gain bandwidth) and externally configurable compensation network. Its adaptive dead-time control prevents shoot-through by sequencing high- and low-side MOSFET gate drivers with 300-mA source/sink capability.

Switching frequency is selectable via SYNC pin logic level (350 kHz or 550 kHz fixed) or RT resistor (280–700 kHz), while cycle-by-cycle overcurrent protection triggers within 200 ns using high-side current sensing and includes 100-ns leading-edge blanking. Thermal shutdown activates at 150°C with 10°C hysteresis.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

TPS54310 is housed in a thermally enhanced 20-pin HTSSOP PowerPAD™ package (6.40 mm × 6.30 mm) with exposed thermal pad soldered to AGND plane for efficient heat dissipation - eliminating need for external heatsinks in typical 3-A applications.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar synchronous-buck converter applications.

Compared with TPS54310, TPS54312 and TPS54316 offer pin-compatible alternatives with fixed outputs (1.2 V and 3.3 V respectively), simplifying layout and BOM but removing voltage adjustability and external compensation - making them suitable only when exact output voltage matches system requirements.

Availability

TPS54310 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for point-of-load regulation, portable computing power delivery, broadband infrastructure, and DSP/ASIC power management requiring stable component supply and long-term industrial availability.

Supply support for TPS54310 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, embedded processing, and power management technologies, with decades of leadership in high-efficiency DC/DC conversion.

The TPS543xx family was designed specifically for high-density, low-input-voltage point-of-load applications - emphasizing integration, thermal performance, and design flexibility in space-constrained systems.

FAQ

What is the recommended input voltage range for the TPS54310?

The TPS54310 is specified for continuous operation across an input voltage range of 3 V to 6 V. Operation below 3 V is blocked by the undervoltage lockout (UVLO) circuit, which starts at 2.95 V and stops at 2.80 V. This range makes the TPS54310 ideal for direct regulation from standard 3.3-V or 5-V intermediate distribution buses. The TPS54310 maintains regulation and protection functionality across this full range.

Does the TPS54310 require external compensation components?

Yes, the TPS54310 uses an externally compensated control loop - a key design feature that provides flexibility in selecting output filter components and optimizing transient response. A compensation network must be connected between the COMP and VSENSE pins, typically using Type II or Type III topologies. This allows designers to tailor loop stability and bandwidth for specific inductor and capacitor values used in their application. The TPS54310 datasheet provides detailed design equations and example networks.

How does the TPS54310 handle overcurrent conditions?

The TPS54310 employs cycle-by-cycle peak current limiting on the high-side MOSFET, with trip detection occurring within 200 ns and 100-ns leading-edge blanking to prevent false triggering. When current exceeds the limit (4–7.5 A depending on VIN), the high-side FET turns off immediately and the low-side FET turns on to discharge the inductor. This protection operates independently during both sourcing and sinking modes, complemented by thermal shutdown for sustained overload conditions. The TPS54310 continues normal operation once the fault clears.

Can the TPS54310 be synchronized to an external clock?

Yes, the TPS54310 supports external synchronization via the SYNC pin across a frequency range of 330 kHz to 700 kHz. To enable sync mode, a resistor must be connected from the RT pin to AGND to set the free-running frequency to approximately 80% of the external clock frequency. The SYNC pin then accepts a logic-level square wave. This capability allows noise-sensitive systems to align switching edges and avoid beat frequencies - a feature confirmed in the TPS54310 datasheet's Table 1 and Section 8.3.5.

What thermal performance can be expected from the TPS54310 in its HTSSOP package?

In the 20-pin HTSSOP PowerPAD™ package with proper PCB layout (including soldered thermal pad and ten thermal vias), the TPS54310 achieves a junction-to-ambient thermal resistance (RθJA) of 26°C/W. At 3-A load and 5-V input, typical power dissipation is ~1.2 W, resulting in a junction temperature rise of ~31°C above ambient - well within the 125°C maximum operating junction temperature. The datasheet specifies 3.85 W maximum power rating at TA = 25°C under these conditions. The TPS54310 thermal design is validated per JEDEC JESD51 standards.