Texas Instruments TPS61220DCKR

Overview

TPS61220DCKR from Texas Instruments is an adjustable-output synchronous boost converter IC designed for ultra-low-input-voltage battery-powered systems. It operates from 0.7 V to 5.5 V input, delivers 1.8 V to 6.0 V output, achieves up to 95% efficiency at typical loads, maintains 5.5 μA quiescent current, and starts up into load at 0.7 V - enabling use in single-cell alkaline/NiMH or Li-ion applications such as portable medical sensors and LED lighting.

For engineers reviewing the TPS61220DCKR datasheet, TPS61220DCKR pinout, TPS61220DCKR application, or TPS61220DCKR equivalent, this page provides verified functional context, validated pin roles, confirmed efficiency vs. load curves, real-world startup behavior at 0.7 V, and direct alternative comparisons for low-voltage boost design selection.

Technical Context

The TPS61220DCKR implements a hysteretic current-mode control architecture with synchronous rectification, using two integrated low-R_DS(on) MOSFETs (main switch: 550–600 mΩ; rectifier: 600–700 mΩ) to sustain high efficiency across wide input/output ratios. Its feedback loop regulates output voltage via a 500 mV internal reference sensed at the FB pin.

It supports continuous or discontinuous conduction mode operation, dynamically adjusts inductor ripple current (200 mA nominal), and integrates undervoltage lockout (0.7 V threshold), overvoltage protection (6.0 V clamp), and thermal shutdown (140 °C with 20 °C hysteresis) - all within a 2.0 mm × 1.25 mm SC-70 package.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

TPS61220DCKR is housed in a 6-pin SC-70 (DCK) package measuring 2.00 mm × 1.25 mm, optimized for space-constrained portable designs. The package supports tape-and-reel delivery (3000 units/reel, denoted by 'R' suffix).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with TPS61220DCKR, TPS61291DRVR trades adjustability and compactness for lower quiescent current and fixed output, while MAX17222ETA+ offers deeper sub-0.7 V operation and higher current but omits integrated thermal protection - making TPS61220DCKR optimal for balanced, space-constrained, self-protected low-voltage boost needs.

Availability

TPS61220DCKR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for portable medical sensors, low-power LED lighting, solar-powered remote sensors, and consumer wearables requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and consistent SC-70 packaging.

Supply support for TPS61220DCKR 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 TPS6122x product line was engineered specifically for ultra-low-input-voltage battery and energy-harvesting applications - prioritizing sub-1 V startup, nanoamp-level quiescent current, and minimal external component count in sub-3 mm² footprints.

FAQ

What is the minimum input voltage required for TPS61220DCKR to start up and regulate?

The TPS61220DCKR starts up and begins regulating output voltage at a minimum input voltage of 0.7 V, even into a loaded condition (e.g., 150 Ω). This capability is verified across temperature and process corners and enables reliable operation from nearly depleted alkaline or NiMH cells, as well as low-output energy harvesters like small solar cells or thermoelectric generators.

How does the TPS61220DCKR achieve 95% peak efficiency despite its ultra-low input voltage range?

The TPS61220DCKR achieves ≥95% peak efficiency through synchronous rectification using two integrated low-R_DS(on) MOSFETs (550–700 mΩ), a hysteretic current-mode controller that minimizes gate drive losses, and optimized internal timing that reduces switching losses at light-to-moderate loads. Measured data shows 95% efficiency at 1.2 V input → 3.3 V output delivering 10–50 mA.

Can the TPS61220DCKR be used with a fixed output voltage, or is it strictly adjustable?

The TPS61220DCKR is the adjustable-output variant of the TPS6122x family and requires an external resistor divider on the FB pin to set output voltage between 1.8 V and 6.0 V. Fixed-output versions exist (e.g., TPS61221DCKR for 3.3 V), but TPS61220DCKR itself is not internally trimmed - its FB pin must be connected to a precision divider to define VOUT.

What happens to the output when the TPS61220DCKR is disabled via the EN pin?

When the EN pin is pulled low, the TPS61220DCKR enters shutdown mode: switching ceases, internal control circuitry powers down, and total supply current drops to ≤0.5 μA. However, due to the body diode of the internal rectifying MOSFET, VOUT remains connected to VIN - resulting in passive pass-through where VOUT ≈ VIN − V_F (diode drop), enabling partial system functionality without external diodes.

Does the TPS61220DCKR include built-in protection features, and what are their thresholds?

Yes, the TPS61220DCKR integrates four key protections: undervoltage lockout (UVLO) triggers at 0.7 V (typical) on VIN decrease; overvoltage protection (OVP) clamps output at 6.0 V (min) to safeguard downstream circuitry; overtemperature protection activates at 140 °C (typical) with 20 °C hysteresis; and internal switch current limiting caps peak inductor current at 200–400 mA depending on output voltage.