Texas Instruments TPS54360QDDARQ1

Overview

TPS54360QDDARQ1 from Texas Instruments is an AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualified 4.5–60 V input, 3.5-A synchronous step-down DC-DC converter with integrated 92-mΩ high-side MOSFET, Eco-Mode™ pulse-skipping for 146 µA no-load quiescent current, and adjustable 100 kHz–2.5 MHz switching frequency. It delivers regulated 3.3 V or 5 V output in automotive GPS, ADAS, and USB charging ports.

For engineers reviewing the TPS54360QDDARQ1 datasheet, TPS54360QDDARQ1 pinout, TPS54360QDDARQ1 application, or TPS54360QDDARQ1 equivalent, key selection criteria include load-dump survival up to 65 V (ISO 7637), thermal shutdown at 176 °C, BOOT-SW UVLO monitoring, internal 0.8 V ±1% reference, and RT/CLK pin synchronization capability.

Technical Context

The TPS54360QDDARQ1 implements fixed-frequency peak current-mode control with slope compensation to prevent subharmonic oscillation above 50% duty cycle. Its internal PLL synchronizes switching to external clock edges when RT/CLK is driven above 1.55 V.

Current limiting uses COMP-pin voltage clamping at ~600 mV for Eco-Mode entry and higher thresholds (5.2–5.85 A typical) for overcurrent protection. Soft-start is internally controlled with 2.1 ms duration at 500 kHz, reducing in-rush and overshoot during power-up.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

TPS54360QDDARQ1 is housed in an 8-pin SO PowerPAD™ package (4.89 mm × 3.90 mm) with exposed thermal pad (Pin 9) requiring direct PCB GND connection for thermal and electrical performance.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with LM5164QDDARQ1, TPS54360QDDARQ1 provides 3.5× higher output current and 44% lower no-load IQ, making it superior for mid-power automotive loads. Against TPS54560QDDARQ1, it trades 1.5 A current headroom for potentially smaller magnetics and lower cost where 3.5 A is sufficient.

Availability

TPS54360QDDARQ1 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive infotainment, ADAS camera modules, and industrial 24 V field bus nodes requiring stable component supply across extended temperature and long product lifecycles.

Supply support for TPS54360QDDARQ1 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 headquartered in Dallas, Texas, designing analog and embedded processing chips for automotive, industrial, and personal electronics markets.

TPS54360QDDARQ1 belongs to TI's automotive-qualified DC-DC converter portfolio, engineered specifically for harsh-environment power conversion in vehicles - emphasizing load dump resilience, AEC-Q100 compliance, and functional safety readiness.

FAQ

What is the maximum input voltage the TPS54360QDDARQ1 can withstand during load dump events?

The TPS54360QDDARQ1 is rated for 65 V absolute maximum input voltage per ISO 7637-2 Pulse 5a, enabling reliable operation during automotive load dump transients without external clamping. This rating is validated across –40°C to 125°C ambient and confirmed in the device's Absolute Maximum Ratings table (Section 6.1). The internal high-side MOSFET and gate driver are designed to sustain this stress without latch-up or parametric shift, making TPS54360QDDARQ1 suitable for direct battery connection in engine compartments.

How does the Eco-Mode™ function in the TPS54360QDDARQ1 reduce power consumption at light loads?

TPS54360QDDARQ1 enters Eco-Mode™ when output load falls below ~24 mA (dependent on inductor value), clamping COMP pin voltage at 600 mV and halting switching. This reduces input quiescent current to 146 µA while maintaining output regulation via controlled burst-mode pulses. Unlike forced PWM, Eco-Mode eliminates gate drive and switching losses, directly extending battery life in always-on automotive modules such as telematics or alarm controllers powered by TPS54360QDDARQ1.

Can the TPS54360QDDARQ1 operate with input voltage close to the output voltage, and how is dropout managed?

Yes, TPS54360QDDARQ1 supports near-dropout operation down to ~0.5 V VIN–VOUT differential thanks to its integrated BOOT recharge FET and low RDS(on) (92 mΩ). When BOOT-SW voltage drops below 2.1 V, the internal low-side FET activates to refresh the bootstrap capacitor, enabling >99% duty cycle. This allows stable 5 V output from as low as 5.5 V input during cold-crank, verified in Figure 22 of the datasheet - a key advantage over non-recharge architectures requiring external diodes or higher dropout.

What is the purpose of the RT/CLK pin on the TPS54360QDDARQ1, and how does its dual-mode operation work?

The RT/CLK pin on TPS54360QDDARQ1 serves two mutually exclusive functions: resistor-based frequency setting (100–2500 kHz) or external clock synchronization. When pulled ≤1.2 V, it acts as RT input with internal 10 µA current source; when driven >1.55 V, the internal amplifier disables and the pin becomes a high-impedance clock input synchronized to falling edges. This dual-mode allows flexible EMI management - either spread-spectrum-like frequency tuning or deterministic noise placement - without changing the TPS54360QDDARQ1 schematic or layout.

Is thermal management critical for the TPS54360QDDARQ1, and what PCB layout practices are required?

Yes, thermal management is critical: TPS54360QDDARQ1 has θJC(bot) = 3.6 °C/W but requires proper PCB implementation. The exposed thermal pad (Pin 9) must be soldered to a minimum 250 mm² copper pour tied to internal GND planes via ≥6 thermal vias (0.3 mm diameter). Insufficient copper or missing vias cause junction temperatures to exceed 150 °C at <2 A load, triggering thermal shutdown. Layout guidelines in Section 10 of the datasheet mandate short, wide VIN/GND/SW traces and tight COMP compensation placement - all essential to maintain reliability of TPS54360QDDARQ1 in automotive under-hood environments.