Texas Instruments TPS60121PWP

Overview

TPS60121PWP from Texas Instruments is a regulated 3.3-V ±4% charge-pump DC/DC converter delivering up to 200 mA output current from a 1.8-V to 3.6-V input (e.g., two alkaline/NiMH cells), featuring integrated power-good detection, 55-µA quiescent current, and no-inductor operation for low-EMI portable power in glucose meters and handheld instrumentation.

For engineers reviewing the TPS60121PWP datasheet, TPS60121PWP pinout, TPS60121PWP application, or TPS60121PWP equivalent, key selection criteria include its 3.3-V regulated output with ±4% tolerance, power-good open-drain output (PG), shutdown current ≤1 µA, adaptive 1.5×/2× conversion mode switching, and compatibility with ceramic flying capacitors (2.2 µF) and 22-µF output capacitor.

Technical Context

The TPS60121PWP implements ACTIVE-CYCLE regulation using a fixed-frequency oscillator (210–450 kHz) and variable ON-resistance MOSFET control to maintain output voltage under load, combined with pulse-skip mode at light loads to reduce quiescent current to 55 µA. Its dual single-ended charge-pump architecture automatically selects between 1.5× and 2× conversion ratios based on input voltage and load current to maximize efficiency across the 1.8–3.6-V range.

It integrates a 1.21-V bandgap reference, error amplifier, shutdown/start-up control, and an open-drain power-good comparator (PG) that asserts low when output falls below 90% of nominal (≈2.97 V). The device features undervoltage lockout (1.6 V typical), short-circuit current limit (115 mA), and thermal protection with junction temperature limit of 125°C.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

The TPS60121PWP is housed in a thermally enhanced 20-pin PowerPAD™ TSSOP (PWP) package with exposed thermal pad for improved heat dissipation in space-constrained portable designs.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar charge-pump DC/DC converter applications.

Compared with TPS60125PWP, the TPS60121PWP offers identical electrical performance and pinout-differing only in manufacturer's internal part binning-while MAX680ESA+ requires external components for regulation and lacks PG, increasing BOM count and reducing system reliability.

Availability

TPS60121PWP is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for portable medical devices, handheld test equipment, wireless audio accessories, and industrial handheld scanners requiring stable component supply with long-lifecycle support.

Supply support for TPS60121PWP 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, specializing in analog, embedded processing, and power management technologies with over 50 years of innovation in energy-efficient electronics.

The TPS6012x family was designed specifically for space-constrained, battery-powered applications requiring regulated voltage conversion without inductors-targeting medical instrumentation, portable computing, and consumer electronics where EMI and board area are critical constraints.

FAQ

What is the output voltage accuracy and regulation method of the TPS60121PWP?

The TPS60121PWP delivers a regulated 3.3-V output with ±4% accuracy over temperature and load. It uses ACTIVE-CYCLE regulation: at heavy loads, it modulates internal MOSFET on-resistance while maintaining fixed switching frequency (210–450 kHz); at light loads, it enters pulse-skip mode to reduce quiescent current to 55 µA while preserving low output ripple. The internal 1.21-V reference and integrated feedback resistor network eliminate need for external dividers.

Does the TPS60121PWP require external feedback resistors to set its 3.3-V output?

No, the TPS60121PWP does not require external feedback resistors. Its 3.3-V output is factory-trimmed and internally regulated using a precision 1.21-V bandgap reference and on-die resistive divider. The FB pin connects directly to the OUT node near the load to compensate for trace IR drop-no external components are needed for voltage setting, simplifying layout and improving stability.

How does the power-good (PG) output of the TPS60121PWP behave during startup and regulation loss?

The PG output of the TPS60121PWP is an open-drain signal that remains high-impedance for the first 500 µs after ENABLE goes high. After this blanking period, PG pulls low when the output voltage falls below ≈90% of nominal (2.97 V) and releases high when VO rises above that threshold. During shutdown (ENABLE low), PG is high-impedance. A 100-kΩ–1-MΩ pullup resistor to OUT is mandatory for proper logic-level signaling.

What are the absolute maximum ratings and thermal limits for continuous operation of the TPS60121PWP?

The TPS60121PWP has an absolute maximum input voltage of 5.5 V and junction temperature limit of 150°C, but recommended continuous operation is capped at TJ = 125°C. In the PWP package at TA = 70°C, its power dissipation is derated to 448 mW (RθJA = 178°C/W). With proper thermal pad soldering to a large copper area, it sustains 200-mA output continuously at 70°C ambient without exceeding safe junction temperature.

Can the TPS60121PWP operate from a single Li-ion cell (3.0–4.2 V)?

No, the TPS60121PWP is not rated for input voltages above 3.6 V. Its absolute maximum input rating is 5.5 V, but the recommended operating range is strictly 1.8 V to 3.6 V per datasheet. A 4.2-V Li-ion cell exceeds this limit and risks permanent damage. For single-cell Li-ion applications, consider TI's TPS60400 or similar 5-V-input-capable charge pumps instead of the TPS60121PWP.