Texas Instruments TPS61097-33DBVR

Overview

TPS61097-33DBVR from Texas Instruments is a low-input-voltage synchronous boost converter IC designed for ultra-low-power battery-powered systems. It delivers a fixed 3.3 V output from input voltages as low as 0.9 V, supports up to 100 mA output current at 3.3 V with single-cell Li-ion or alkaline sources, and features <5 μA typical quiescent current and <5 nA shutdown current. It is used in MSP430-based portable medical devices and fuel cell–powered sensors where extended battery life and cold-start capability are critical.

For engineers reviewing the TPS61097-33DBVR datasheet, TPS61097-33DBVR pinout, TPS61097-33DBVR application, or TPS61097-33DBVR equivalent, key selection considerations include its 0.9 V minimum start-up voltage, integrated bypass switch for battery backup during shutdown, 5-pin SOT-23 (DBV) package, synchronous rectification architecture, and absence of external feedback resistors due to internal 3.3 V regulation.

Technical Context

The TPS61097-33DBVR implements a hysteretic current-mode control architecture with synchronous rectification using two internal MOSFETs - a main switch and a rectifying switch - enabling high efficiency across wide load ranges. Its control loop maintains constant inductor ripple current (~200 mA) and adjusts offset based on load, supporting both continuous and discontinuous conduction modes without external compensation.

It integrates a dedicated P-channel bypass switch that activates when EN is low, directly connecting VIN (via L pin) to VOUT to maintain power to critical loads during shutdown - independent of undervoltage lockout, thermal shutdown, or overvoltage conditions. Startup uses an internal oscillator until VOUT reaches ~1.8 V, then transitions to normal hysteretic operation.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

TPS61097-33DBVR is housed in a 5-pin SOT-23 (DBV) package measuring 2.8 mm × 2.9 mm × 1.3 mm, optimized for space-constrained portable electronics. The package is RoHS-compliant, green (Pb-free, no Sb/Br), and rated MSL Level-1.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with TPS61097A-33DBVR, the TPS61097-33DBVR offers proven field reliability and broader temperature validation but trades off tighter regulation and lower shutdown leakage; versus MAX17222ETA+T, it uniquely delivers true battery-backup capability via integrated bypass - a critical differentiator for safety-critical wearables and maintenance-free remote sensors.

Availability

TPS61097-33DBVR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for portable medical devices, fuel cell–powered environmental sensors, and solar-harvesting IoT edge nodes requiring stable component supply across long product lifecycles.

Supply support for TPS61097-33DBVR 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 TPS61097 family was engineered specifically for ultra-low-power, low-input-voltage applications - targeting battery-operated portable instrumentation, energy-harvesting systems, and always-on sensing platforms where every nanoamp counts.

FAQ

What is the minimum input voltage required for TPS61097-33DBVR to start regulating?

The TPS61097-33DBVR can initiate startup from as low as approximately 0.71 V (measured at room temperature with no load), though reliable regulation to 3.3 V begins at 0.9 V input. Below 0.9 V, the device may oscillate or fail to sustain output; the undervoltage lockout threshold is 0.7 V typical, so operation near this limit requires careful validation of load and temperature conditions. The TPS61097-33DBVR datasheet specifies 0.9 V as the guaranteed minimum operating input voltage.

Does TPS61097-33DBVR require external feedback resistors to set the output voltage?

No, the TPS61097-33DBVR does not require external feedback resistors because it integrates a fixed 3.3 V output voltage reference and internal feedback network. This simplifies design, reduces BOM count, and improves accuracy and stability compared to adjustable variants. The "-33" suffix explicitly denotes the factory-trimmed 3.3 V version, and the FB pin is not exposed - unlike the adjustable TPS61097 variants discontinued in Revision C of the datasheet.

How does the bypass switch in TPS61097-33DBVR function during shutdown?

When the EN pin is driven low, the TPS61097-33DBVR disables switching and activates an internal P-channel MOSFET that directly connects the L pin (inductor node) to VOUT. This creates a low-impedance path (<3.4 Ω typical) from the input source to the output rail, allowing uninterrupted power delivery to critical loads like real-time clocks or SRAM during shutdown - independent of UVLO, thermal shutdown, or overvoltage events. The TPS61097-33DBVR bypass switch remains functional even when VIN drops below 0.9 V.

What is the maximum continuous output current supported by TPS61097-33DBVR at 3.3 V?

The TPS61097-33DBVR supports up to 100 mA continuous output current at 3.3 V when powered by a single-cell Li-ion or Li-polymer battery (VIN ≥ 2.5 V). At lower input voltages - such as 1.2 V from an alkaline cell - maximum output current decreases due to increased duty cycle and switch current limiting; typical capability is ~30 mA at VIN = 1.2 V. The TPS61097-33DBVR's 350 mA switch current limit and thermal design constrain practical output current under sustained load.

Is TPS61097-33DBVR pin-compatible with TPS61097A-33DBVR?

Yes, the TPS61097-33DBVR and TPS61097A-33DBVR share identical 5-pin SOT-23 (DBV) packaging, pinout, and footprint. However, they are not drop-in replacements: the TPS61097A-33DBVR features revised startup behavior, tighter output tolerance (±1.5%), and lower shutdown current (1 nA), which may affect system timing or leakage-critical applications. While PCB layout is compatible, firmware or system-level validation is recommended before substituting TPS61097-33DBVR with TPS61097A-33DBVR.