Texas Instruments TPS65185RGZR

Overview

TPS65185RGZR from Texas Instruments is a highly integrated power management IC (PMIC) engineered exclusively for E Ink® Vizplex™ electronic paper displays. It delivers ±15-V source driver rails (VPOS/VNEG), ±22-V/–20-V gate driver supplies (VDDH/VEE), and programmable VCOM bias (0 V to –5.11 V) from a single 3-V to 6-V input, supporting 9.7-inch and larger panels in e-readers and dual-display tablets.

For engineers reviewing the TPS65185RGZR datasheet, TPS65185RGZR pinout, TPS65185RGZR application, or TPS65185RGZR equivalent, this device requires attention to its I²C-programmable VCOM tracking (±10 mV step), active rail discharge (800–1200 Ω), ±50-mV VPOS–VNEG tracking tolerance, thermal shutdown at 150°C, and RGZ 48-pin VQFN (7 mm × 7 mm) package with exposed thermal pad tied to VN.

Technical Context

The TPS65185RGZR integrates two high-efficiency DC-DC converters: a boost regulator (DCDC1) generating +16 V base for the VDDH charge pump, and an inverting buck-boost (DCDC2) generating –16 V base for the VEE charge pump. Both LDOs (VPOS/VNEG) are tracking regulators with ±1% output tolerance and 250-mV dropout at 120 mA load.

Its VCOM driver uses a 9-bit DAC (10-mV LSB) with ±1.5% accuracy and supports automatic kickback voltage measurement for factory calibration. All regulated outputs-VPOS, VNEG, VDDH, VEE, VCOM, and V3P3-feature dedicated discharge control pins and power-good monitoring via open-drain PWR_GOOD.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

RGZ package is a 48-pin VQFN (7.00 mm × 7.00 mm) with exposed thermal pad electrically tied to PBKG (Pin 22), which must be connected directly to the VN node (–16 V) via a short, wide copper trace for optimal thermal performance and electrical stability.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar E Ink display power management applications.

Compared with TPS65185RGZR, the TPS651851RSLR offers higher current capability and smaller footprint but requires PCB redesign, while the MAX17135ETJ+ provides SPI compatibility and proven field reliability but omits key automation features like VCOM kickback measurement and thermal linearization-making TPS65185RGZR optimal for new designs prioritizing calibration efficiency and thermal robustness.

Availability

TPS65185RGZR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for e-book readers, industrial electronic shelf labels, medical handheld EPD terminals, and dual-display tablets requiring stable component supply across long product lifecycles and varying ambient conditions.

Supply support for TPS65185RGZR 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 over 50 years of innovation in energy-efficient IC design.

The TPS65185RGZR belongs to TI's E Ink-specific PMIC product line, designed to simplify power architecture for electronic paper displays by integrating all essential bias rails, sequencing logic, and calibration intelligence into one compact package.

FAQ

What is the maximum supported panel size for the TPS65185RGZR?

The TPS65185RGZR is explicitly qualified to support E Ink Vizplex panels up to 9.7 inches and larger, as confirmed in the official datasheet revision history and typical application schematics. Its ±15-V/120-mA LDOs, ±22-V/–20-V charge pumps, and programmable VCOM driver provide sufficient drive strength and voltage headroom for these panel dimensions without external boosting stages. Larger panels may require verification of gate/source driver loading against TPS65185RGZR's specified output current limits.

Does the TPS65185RGZR support automatic VCOM calibration?

Yes, the TPS65185RGZR includes an integrated automatic panel kickback voltage measurement feature that eliminates manual VCOM calibration during production. The device performs this measurement autonomously, stores the resulting value in non-volatile memory, and uses it as the default VCOM power-up setting. This function is enabled via I²C command and requires no external circuitry beyond the standard VCOM filter capacitor on Pin 15.

What is the purpose of the PBKG pin on the TPS65185RGZR?

The PBKG (Pin 22) on the TPS65185RGZR is the die substrate connection, internally tied to the VN node (–16 V). It must be connected via a short, wide copper trace directly to the VN net-not to ground-to ensure proper thermal dissipation and electrical stability. The exposed thermal pad underneath the RGZ package is also internally connected to PBKG, making this connection critical for both thermal performance and noise immunity in high-voltage EPD bias circuits.

Can the TPS65185RGZR operate with a 3.3-V input supply?

Yes, the TPS65185RGZR supports a minimum input voltage of 3 V, making it fully compatible with 3.3-V systems. At 3.3 V, the device maintains full functionality-including VPOS/VNEG regulation, VDDH/VEE charge pumping, and VCOM control-but output current capability for VPOS/VNEG is limited to 120 mA (per datasheet Section 7.5), and VCOM accuracy remains within ±1.5% across the full input range. Input UVLO triggers at 2.9 V with 400-mV hysteresis.

How does the TPS65185RGZR handle thermal protection?

The TPS65185RGZR incorporates junction-based thermal shutdown with a trip point of 150°C and 20°C hysteresis. When temperature exceeds the threshold, the device disables all regulated outputs (VPOS, VNEG, VDDH, VEE, VCOM) while retaining I²C communication capability. Once temperature falls below 130°C, normal operation resumes automatically. This behavior is documented in Section 7.5 of the datasheet and applies regardless of input voltage or load condition.