Texas Instruments TPS54331DG4

Overview

TPS54331DG4 from Texas Instruments is a 28-V, 3-A non-synchronous step-down DC-DC converter with integrated 80-mΩ high-side MOSFET, fixed 570-kHz switching frequency, Eco-mode pulse-skipping for light-load efficiency, and adjustable output down to 0.8 V. It delivers stable 3.3-V/3-A power in industrial CPE equipment and LCD display power supplies.

For engineers reviewing the TPS54331DG4 datasheet, TPS54331DG4 pinout, TPS54331DG4 application, or TPS54331DG4 equivalent, key selection criteria include input voltage range (3.5–28 V), shutdown current (1 μA typ), UVLO programmability, thermal shutdown (165°C), and SOIC-8 PowerPAD™ package compatibility with ceramic output capacitors.

Technical Context

The TPS54331DG4 implements constant-frequency peak-current mode control with internal slope compensation, enabling stable operation with ceramic output capacitors and simplified loop compensation. Its transconductance error amplifier (92 μA/V) and COMP pin interface support flexible external frequency compensation networks.

Eco-mode activation at ≤160 mA peak inductor current reduces switching activity to maintain >85% efficiency at 10-mA loads, while frequency foldback (down to 71 kHz) and overvoltage transient protection (109% × VREF clamp) ensure robustness during start-up and overload events.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

The TPS54331DG4 is housed in an 8-pin SOIC package with exposed PowerPAD™ (DDA variant), optimized for thermal performance (R_θJA = 48.7°C/W). The PowerPAD must be soldered to a thermal pad on the PCB for reliable 3-A operation.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar step-down converter applications.

Compared with TPS54331DG4, TPS54332DGQ trades thermal performance for smaller magnetics, while TPS54531DGQ retains identical control architecture but scales current capability-both require validation of loop stability and thermal layout against the original design.

Availability

TPS54331DG4 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial CPE equipment, LCD display power supplies, and battery charger auxiliary rails requiring stable component supply across production lifecycles.

Supply support for TPS54331DG4 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 since the 1980s.

The TPS54331DG4 belongs to TI's SWIFT™ family of DC-DC converters, designed specifically for high-efficiency, wide-input industrial and consumer power supplies where reliability, thermal performance, and light-load efficiency are critical.

FAQ

What is the maximum input voltage rating for the TPS54331DG4?

The TPS54331DG4 has an absolute maximum input voltage rating of 30 V on the VIN pin. Its recommended operating range is 3.5 V to 28 V. Exceeding 30 V risks permanent damage, even momentarily. The device includes overvoltage transient protection that clamps the high-side MOSFET when VSENSE exceeds 109% of the 0.8-V reference, helping mitigate overshoot during fast transients-but this does not extend the absolute VIN rating. Always observe the 30-V limit in layout and system design.

Does the TPS54331DG4 require an external bootstrap diode?

No, the TPS54331DG4 does not require an external bootstrap diode. It integrates a boot recharge circuit that eliminates the need for a discrete diode between VIN and BOOT. A 0.1-μF X7R or X5R ceramic capacitor must still be placed between BOOT and PH pins to sustain gate drive for the internal high-side MOSFET. This integration reduces component count, improves reliability, and simplifies layout-especially important in space-constrained industrial and consumer applications where the TPS54331DG4 is commonly deployed.

How does Eco-mode function in the TPS54331DG4, and what triggers it?

Eco-mode in the TPS54331DG4 is an automatic pulse-skipping feature activated when peak inductor current falls below 160 mA (typical). At that point, the COMP pin voltage is clamped at 0.5 V, halting high-side MOSFET switching until load demand increases. This reduces switching losses and maintains >88% efficiency at light loads (e.g., 10–50 mA), crucial for battery-powered or standby applications. Eco-mode operates transparently-no external configuration is needed-and resumes normal PWM operation seamlessly when load rises above the threshold.

Can the TPS54331DG4 be used with ceramic output capacitors?

Yes, the TPS54331DG4 is fully compatible with ceramic output capacitors. Its current-mode control architecture with internal slope compensation stabilizes the loop without requiring electrolytic types. Designs using 33–100 μF ceramic arrays (e.g., 47 μF ×2) are validated in TI's typical application schematics. However, ceramic capacitance must be derated for DC bias-actual capacitance can drop >50% at rated voltage-so designers should select X7R/X5R dielectrics with sufficient voltage margin and verify stability using TI's WEBENCH® Power Designer or measured phase margin.

What thermal considerations apply to the TPS54331DG4 in SOIC-8 PowerPAD™ package?

The TPS54331DG4 in the DDA (SOIC-8 PowerPAD™) package achieves R_θJA = 48.7°C/W when properly soldered to a 1-in² copper thermal pad on the PCB. To sustain 3-A continuous output, the PowerPAD must be electrically and thermally connected to PCB ground plane via ≥4 thermal vias (0.3-mm diameter, filled or plated). Junction temperature must remain ≤150°C under worst-case ambient and airflow; thermal shutdown activates at 165°C. Layout guidelines-including minimizing high-current loop area and separating GND paths for power/analog-are detailed in Section 8.4 of the TPS54331DG4 datasheet.