Texas Instruments TPS61060DRBRG4

Overview

TPS61060DRBRG4 from Texas Instruments is a synchronous boost LED driver IC designed to deliver constant current to up to three white LEDs in series. It operates from 2.7 V to 6 V input, features 1-MHz fixed-frequency PWM control, integrated 400-mA N-channel MOSFET switch and P-channel synchronous rectifier, and supports dual brightness control via ILED pin (5-bit DAC, 250 mV/500 mV FB setpoints) and EN pin (PWM dimming ≤1 kHz). It is used in space-constrained portable backlighting applications such as smartphone keypads and small LCD displays.

For engineers reviewing the TPS61060DRBRG4 datasheet, TPS61060DRBRG4 pinout, TPS61060DRBRG4 application, or TPS61060DRBRG4 equivalent, key selection considerations include its 3-LED drive capability, NanoFree™ 8-ball CSP package (1.446 mm × 1.446 mm), OVP threshold of 14 V (min), precharge current limiting during startup, and digital brightness control timing requirements (e.g., 1–75 µs low pulse to increment FB voltage).

Technical Context

The TPS61060DRBRG4 implements peak-current-mode PWM control with a fixed 1-MHz oscillator and internal slope compensation for stable operation above 50% duty cycle. Its synchronous rectification architecture eliminates external diode losses and enables continuous conduction mode only, reducing output ripple and EMI.

It integrates overvoltage protection (14 V min), short-circuit detection (output voltage threshold = VIN − 0.3 V rising / VIN − 0.7 V falling), undervoltage lockout (1.65 V threshold with 50 mV hysteresis), and thermal shutdown (160°C typical with 15°C hysteresis). The 5-bit DAC on ILED provides 32-step digital brightness control with 15.6-mV per step resolution and programmable feedback voltage ranging from 240 mV to 515 mV.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

TPS61060DRBRG4 uses an 8-ball NanoFree™ wafer chip-scale package (YZF), measuring 1.446 mm × 1.446 mm with 0.5-mm ball pitch. The exposed diepad is not electrically connected (no PowerPAD™); all balls are signal/ground terminals.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar constant-current LED driver applications.

Compared with TPS61060DRBT, the TPS61060DRBRG4 offers identical performance but optimized for high-volume automated assembly. Against MAX1910EUT+T, it delivers 32-step digital dimming, 1-MHz operation for smaller magnetics, and 40% smaller package area-critical for modern portable devices.

Availability

TPS61060DRBRG4 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for smartphone keypad backlighting, small LCD display backlighting, and portable barcode scanner illumination requiring stable component supply, consistent parametric performance, and long-term lifecycle support.

Supply support for TPS61060DRBRG4 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 and manufacturing analog, embedded processing, and logic products for industrial, automotive, and personal electronics markets.

The TPS6106x product line was developed specifically for space-constrained portable LED backlighting, emphasizing ultra-small footprint, dual-mode brightness control, and robust fault protection in battery-powered consumer devices.

FAQ

What is the maximum number of white LEDs the TPS61060DRBRG4 can drive?

The TPS61060DRBRG4 is rated to drive up to three white LEDs in series. This is determined by its 14-V minimum overvoltage protection threshold and typical forward voltage of ~3.3 V per LED at 20 mA, yielding a maximum string voltage of ~10 V with margin. Driving four or more LEDs risks triggering OVP prematurely or exceeding the 33-V absolute maximum SW pin rating.

How does the ILED pin control brightness on the TPS61060DRBRG4?

The ILED pin on the TPS61060DRBRG4 controls brightness through two distinct modes: static configuration and dynamic programming. When held high, it sets feedback voltage to 250 mV for reduced LED current; when grounded, it sets 500 mV for full current. Pulses applied to ILED (low for 1–75 µs to increment, 180–300 µs to decrement) adjust a 5-bit DAC to achieve 32 discrete brightness levels. The TPS61060DRBRG4 requires no external clock or data lines for this function.

What package type does the TPS61060DRBRG4 use, and how does it differ from the DRB variant?

The TPS61060DRBRG4 uses the YZF package: an 8-ball NanoFree™ wafer chip-scale package measuring 1.446 mm × 1.446 mm. It is distinct from the DRB (QFN) variant, which is a 3-mm × 3-mm 8-pin QFN with exposed thermal pad. The YZF package has no thermal pad and relies on solder-ball thermal conduction; its marking is "AKX", and it is offered only in tape-and-reel format (3000 units per reel for DRBRG4).

Can the TPS61060DRBRG4 be used with a 220-nF output capacitor?

Yes, the TPS61060DRBRG4 is explicitly characterized to operate with output capacitors as low as 220 nF. Texas Instruments specifies this minimum value in the Recommended Operating Conditions table and provides efficiency curves using 220-nF X5R/X7R ceramics. To maintain capacitance stability, X5R or X7R dielectric must be used-Y5V or Z5U types are unsuitable due to severe voltage and temperature derating.

Does the TPS61060DRBRG4 include short-circuit protection, and how does it behave?

Yes, the TPS61060DRBRG4 includes dedicated short-circuit protection. When the OUT pin is shorted to GND, the device detects the resulting drop in output voltage (below VIN − 0.7 V) and enters precharge mode, limiting current to ~95 mA at VIN = 3.6 V. This prevents inductor saturation, MOSFET overstress, and thermal runaway. Recovery is automatic once the short is removed and output voltage rises above VIN − 0.3 V.