Texas Instruments TPS61073DDCR

Overview

TPS61073DDCR from Texas Instruments is a synchronous boost DC-DC converter IC designed for low-input-voltage battery-powered systems. It delivers up to 100 mA at 3.3 V from a 2.3–5.5 V input, features 1200 kHz fixed-frequency PWM operation, integrated 600-mA switch, and power-save mode for high light-load efficiency. It is used in portable medical devices and single-cell Li-ion powered instrumentation.

For engineers reviewing the TPS61073DDCR datasheet, TPS61073DDCR pinout, TPS61073DDCR application, or TPS61073DDCR equivalent, key selection criteria include its 2.3-V minimum startup voltage, 1.8-V logic-compatible EN threshold, 500-mV FB reference, 90% peak efficiency, and load disconnect during shutdown - all critical for ultra-low-power battery longevity and system-level power sequencing.

Technical Context

The TPS61073DDCR implements a fixed-frequency, multiple-feedforward PWM controller with synchronous rectification using integrated N-channel and P-channel MOSFETs. Its control loop compares FB voltage (500 mV nominal) against an internal reference, while peak current sensing limits switch conduction to 600 mA typical.

Unlike TPS61071/TPS61072, it enters power-save mode at light loads to maintain >85% efficiency down to 10 µA output, enabled by automatic pulse-bursting when inductor current reaches zero. Its EN pin requires ≥1.2 V logic-high (not VBAT-referenced), distinguishing it from TPS61070/TPS61071/TPS61072.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

TPS61073DDCR is housed in a 6-pin thin SOT-23 (DDC) package measuring 2.90 mm × 1.60 mm, optimized for space-constrained portable PCBs with thermal pad grounding via GND pin 2.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar boost converter applications.

Compared with TPS61070DDCR, TPS61073DDCR trades sub-2.3-V startup capability for robust 1.8-V logic EN interface and tighter input range control; versus TPS61291DRVR, it offers full adjustability and integrated load disconnect at higher IQ - making it optimal for programmable, battery-isolated, mid-power portable designs.

Availability

TPS61073DDCR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for portable medical sensors, wearable health monitors, handheld diagnostic tools, and low-power IoT edge nodes requiring stable component supply across production lifecycles.

Supply support for TPS61073DDCR 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 decades of expertise in high-efficiency DC-DC conversion.

The TPS6107x family was engineered specifically for ultra-low-voltage battery-powered applications - enabling extended runtime in single-cell alkaline, NiMH, and Li-ion systems through synchronous boost architecture and intelligent power-save mode.

FAQ

What is the minimum input voltage required for TPS61073DDCR to start up?

The TPS61073DDCR requires a minimum input voltage of 2.3 V to initiate startup, as specified in the Recommended Operating Conditions table. This distinguishes it from TPS61070/TPS61071/TPS61072, which start from 0.9 V. Below 2.3 V, the device remains in UVLO and will not switch, ensuring reliable operation only within its validated low-voltage envelope. The TPS61073DDCR maintains regulation down to 2.3 V input across temperature and load.

Does TPS61073DDCR provide true load disconnect during shutdown?

Yes, the TPS61073DDCR fully disconnects the load from the input during shutdown via an internal circuit that isolates the backgate diode of the high-side PMOS. When EN is pulled low, VOUT is electrically isolated from VBAT, resulting in shutdown current as low as 0.05 µA. This eliminates the need for external ideal diodes or load switches in battery-sensitive applications - a verified feature confirmed in the Functional Block Diagram and Feature Description sections of the datasheet.

What is the feedback reference voltage for TPS61073DDCR, and how does it affect output accuracy?

The TPS61073DDCR uses a precision 500-mV internal reference at the FB pin, with a tolerance of ±5 mV (495–505 mV). This directly determines output voltage accuracy when using an external resistor divider. For example, a 3.3-V output requires R1 = 1 MΩ and R2 = 200 kΩ, yielding ±1% total output error including resistor tolerance and reference drift. The low FB bias current (0.01 µA) ensures minimal divider error, supporting high-accuracy regulation in precision analog systems.

Can TPS61073DDCR operate with a 1.8-V enable signal, and how does this compare to other TPS6107x variants?

Yes, the TPS61073DDCR accepts a fixed 1.8-V logic-high signal on EN (VIH ≥ 1.2 V), unlike TPS61070/TPS61071/TPS61072 whose EN threshold is VBAT-referenced (VIH = 0.8×VBAT). This makes TPS61073DDCR directly compatible with 1.8-V GPIOs without level shifters. Its EN pin draws only 0.01–0.3 µA, minimizing drive burden. This logic compatibility is a key differentiator explicitly documented in the Device Comparison Table and Electrical Characteristics section.

What is the maximum continuous output current supported by TPS61073DDCR at 3.3 V output?

The TPS61073DDCR supports up to 100 mA continuous output current at 3.3 V, as stated in the product folder title and confirmed in Typical Application Circuit analysis. This assumes adequate thermal management (e.g., PCB copper pour on GND pad) and input voltage ≥2.4 V. At lower inputs (e.g., 2.3 V), output current is reduced due to duty-cycle limitation and switch current headroom - detailed in Figure 1 (Maximum Output Current vs Input Voltage) of the datasheet.