Texas Instruments TPS60123PWP

Overview

TPS60123PWP from Texas Instruments is a regulated 3.3-V ±4% charge-pump DC/DC converter delivering up to 100 mA output current from a 1.8-V to 3.6-V input (e.g., two alkaline/NiMH cells), featuring 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 TPS60123PWP datasheet, TPS60123PWP pinout, TPS60123PWP application, or TPS60123PWP equivalent, key selection criteria include its 3.3-V regulated output with ±4% tolerance, 100-mA max continuous load, power-good open-drain output (PG), shutdown current ≤1 µA, and compatibility with four external ceramic capacitors in space-constrained battery-powered designs.

Technical Context

The TPS60123PWP implements adaptive mode switching between 1.5× and voltage-doubler conversion to maintain high efficiency across 1.8–3.6 V input range; it uses ACTIVE-CYCLE regulation-fixed-frequency switching at heavy loads and pulse-skip mode at light loads-to minimize quiescent current while preserving low output ripple.

It integrates a 1.21-V bandgap reference, error amplifier, oscillator, MOSFET charge-pump power stages, and a dedicated open-drain power-good (PG) comparator that asserts low when output falls below 90% of nominal 3.3 V; shutdown disables all circuitry except reference and comparator, reducing supply current to ≤1 µA.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

The TPS60123PWP is housed in a thermally enhanced 20-pin PowerPAD TSSOP (PWP) package with exposed thermal pad for improved power dissipation in compact layouts.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with TPS60123PWP, TPS60121PWP offers higher continuous output current headroom while sharing identical PG functionality and pinout, whereas MAX680ESA+ trades supervision and adaptive efficiency for smaller footprint and lower cost-but requires external reset management and delivers reduced light-load efficiency.

Availability

TPS60123PWP is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for glucose meters, handheld medical instruments, PDAs, and MP3 audio players requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and guaranteed traceable sourcing.

Supply support for TPS60123PWP 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 broad industrial and automotive qualification.

The TPS6012x product line was designed specifically for space-constrained, battery-powered portable electronics requiring regulated, inductorless DC/DC conversion with integrated supervision features like power-good detection.

FAQ

What output voltage does the TPS60123PWP regulate, and how precise is it?

The TPS60123PWP regulates a fixed 3.3-V output with ±4% tolerance across temperature and load (–40°C to 85°C, 0–100 mA). This precision is achieved via an internal 1.21-V reference and on-chip resistive divider-no external components are required to set the output voltage. The TPS60123PWP maintains this accuracy even during adaptive mode transitions between 1.5× and 2× conversion.

Does the TPS60123PWP require external feedback resistors to set its output voltage?

No, the TPS60123PWP 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 integrated resistive divider network. The FB pin is connected directly to the OUT pin in standard operation, eliminating resistor placement, tolerance errors, and PCB area-critical for miniaturized medical and portable designs.

How does the power-good (PG) output of the TPS60123PWP function in system design?

On the TPS60123PWP, the PG pin is an open-drain output that pulls low when the regulated 3.3-V output falls below ~2.97 V (90% of nominal). It requires an external 100-kΩ to 1-MΩ pullup resistor to OUT. This signal enables reliable system reset, brownout detection, or firmware-initiated shutdown-especially valuable in glucose meters and handheld instruments where undervoltage operation could corrupt measurements or data storage.

What is the minimum input voltage required for the TPS60123PWP to start up under load?

The TPS60123PWP requires a minimum input voltage of 2.0 V to start up and deliver its full 100-mA output current, per the datasheet's VI(min) specification. At no load, startup occurs down to 1.8 V. This 2.0-V threshold ensures robust operation across the usable discharge range of two fresh alkaline or NiMH cells, while undervoltage lockout prevents malfunction below 1.6 V.

Can the TPS60123PWP be used with ceramic capacitors only, and what values are required?

Yes, the TPS60123PWP is designed exclusively for ceramic capacitors: 10 µF input (Ci), two 2.2 µF flying capacitors (C1, C2), and 22 µF output (Co)-all X7R dielectric. These values ensure stable operation, low ESR, minimal voltage ripple (<30 mVpp at 100 mA), and compatibility with the IC's adaptive switching architecture. Tantalum or electrolytic capacitors are not recommended and may cause instability or premature failure.