Texas Instruments TPS61160DRVTG4

Overview

TPS61160DRVTG4 from Texas Instruments is a 2.7–18 V input, 26-V open-LED-protected white LED boost driver in a 2-mm × 2-mm WSON-6 package. It integrates a 40-V/0.7-A N-channel switch, regulates LED current via 200-mV FB reference (±2%), supports digital (EasyScale™) and PWM dimming, and delivers up to 90% efficiency at 20 mA for 6-series-LED backlighting in portable media players.

For engineers reviewing the TPS61160DRVTG4 datasheet, TPS61160DRVTG4 pinout, TPS61160DRVTG4 application, or TPS61160DRVTG4 equivalent, key selection criteria include open-LED protection threshold (26 V), fixed 600-kHz switching frequency, 200-mV feedback accuracy, thermal shutdown (160°C), and dual-dimming mode support without audible noise generation.

Technical Context

The TPS61160DRVTG4 employs current-mode PWM control with slope compensation for stable operation above 50% duty cycle. Its error amplifier (transconductance: 240–400 μmho, output resistance: 6 MΩ) drives the COMP pin to regulate FB at 200 mV using an external R_SET, enabling precise LED current programming.

Open-LED protection monitors both SW node voltage (>26 V typical) and FB voltage (<100 mV) across eight switching cycles before disabling the FET. Soft-start ramps FB in 32 steps (213 μs/step), while startup current limit is halved (400 mA typical) for first 5 ms to limit inrush.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

TPS61160DRVTG4 uses a thermally enhanced 6-pin WSON package (2 mm × 2 mm, 0.5-mm pitch) with exposed thermal pad soldered to analog ground plane for optimal power dissipation (R_θJA = 96.1°C/W).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar white LED boost driver applications.

Compared with TPS61160DRVTG4, TPS61161DRVT offers extended LED string capability at identical cost and layout, while MAX16832ETA+ trades digital dimming simplicity for higher switching frequency and automotive qualification-making TPS61160DRVTG4 optimal for cost-sensitive, space-constrained portable backlighting.

Availability

TPS61160DRVTG4 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for portable media players, ultra-mobile PCs, and GPS receivers requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and consistent parametric performance across production batches.

Supply support for TPS61160DRVTG4 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 ICs, with decades of expertise in high-efficiency DC/DC conversion and LED lighting solutions.

The TPS6116x product line was designed specifically for compact, high-reliability white LED backlighting in portable consumer electronics-emphasizing low quiescent current, dual-dimming flexibility, and robust fault protection.

FAQ

What is the maximum number of white LEDs the TPS61160DRVTG4 can drive in series?

The TPS61160DRVTG4 supports up to 6 white LEDs in series, based on its 26-V open-LED protection threshold and typical white LED forward voltage of ≤3.2 V per diode. With a 200-mV FB reference, the maximum output voltage is limited to ≈(6 × 3.2 V) + 0.2 V = 19.4 V, providing 6.6-V margin below the 26-V OVP trigger. Exceeding 6 LEDs risks premature shutdown under worst-case V_F and temperature conditions. The TPS61160DRVTG4 datasheet confirms this limit in the Typical Application section.

Does the TPS61160DRVTG4 require external compensation components?

Yes, the TPS61160DRVTG4 requires an external capacitor connected between the COMP pin and GND to stabilize the control loop. The datasheet specifies a typical value of 220 nF (C3 in the Typical Application schematic), selected to ensure phase margin >45° across input voltage, load, and temperature ranges. Omitting or mis-sizing this capacitor causes instability, output ripple, or oscillation. The TPS61160DRVTG4's transconductance error amplifier and fixed 600-kHz frequency make compensation design deterministic and vendor-recommended values highly reliable.

How does the TPS61160DRVTG4 prevent audible noise during PWM dimming?

The TPS61160DRVTG4 avoids audible noise by modulating the DC LED current-not pulsing it-using an internal low-pass filter that converts the CTRL pin's PWM signal into a smoothed analog reference voltage (V_FB = 200 mV × duty cycle). This eliminates high-frequency current ripple in the output capacitor, which is the primary source of piezoelectric "buzz" in ceramic caps. Unlike basic PWM dimming, the TPS61160DRVTG4 maintains continuous conduction mode, ensuring silent operation even at dimming frequencies as low as 5 kHz. This behavior is explicitly verified in Figure 7 of the TPS61160DRVTG4 datasheet.

Can the TPS61160DRVTG4 be used with a 3.3-V microcontroller GPIO for digital dimming?

Yes, the TPS61160DRVTG4's CTRL pin is compatible with 3.3-V logic: its logic-high threshold is 1.2 V (min), and logic-low threshold is 0.4 V (max), well within 3.3-V CMOS output swing. The EasyScale™ protocol uses open-drain timing with defined pulse widths (e.g., 2–180 μs for bits), so a 3.3-V MCU can directly drive CTRL without level-shifting. However, ensure the MCU's GPIO slew rate meets the 100-μs EasyScale detection delay requirement, and avoid RC filtering on CTRL-per Section 7.4.2 of the TPS61160DRVTG4 datasheet-as it disrupts mode detection.

What is the purpose of the exposed thermal pad on the TPS61160DRVTG4 WSON package?

The exposed thermal pad on the TPS61160DRVTG4 WSON-6 package serves as the primary heat dissipation path from the die to the PCB. It must be soldered to a solid analog ground plane, ideally with ≥4 thermal vias (0.3-mm diameter) connecting to inner-layer ground planes, to achieve the specified R_θJA of 96.1°C/W. Without proper thermal pad connection, junction temperature rises significantly-potentially triggering thermal shutdown at ≤500 mW power dissipation. The TPS61160DRVTG4 datasheet emphasizes this in the Pin Functions table and Thermal Information section, noting that insufficient thermal design degrades efficiency and reliability.