Texas Instruments TPS7230QP

Overview

TPS7230QP from Texas Instruments is a micropower, low-dropout (LDO) voltage regulator delivering a fixed 3.0 V output with ±2% tolerance over line, load, and temperature (–40°C to 125°C). It features an ultra-low dropout voltage of 145 mV max at 100 mA, quiescent current of 180 µA typ (load-independent), and a logic-enabled sleep mode reducing input current to 0.5 µA max. Designed for portable systems including battery-powered instrumentation and handheld medical devices, it uses a PMOS pass element for stable regulation under light-to-moderate loads.

For engineers reviewing the TPS7230QP datasheet, TPS7230QP pinout, TPS7230QP application, or TPS7230QP equivalent, key selection criteria include its 3.0 V fixed output, 8-pin SOIC (P) package, power-good (PG) status reporting, EN-controlled shutdown, and guaranteed dropout performance up to 250 mA - critical for extending battery life in space-constrained designs.

Technical Context

The TPS7230QP employs a PMOS pass transistor architecture-replacing conventional PNP elements-to achieve voltage-proportional dropout behavior and eliminate load-dependent quiescent current drift. Its internal 1.188 V reference feeds a precision error amplifier that regulates output via feedback from the SENSE pin (tied to OUT in standard configuration).

Power-good (PG) functionality monitors regulated output voltage against a 0.95×VO threshold with 50 mV hysteresis, enabling system-level power-on reset or brownout detection. The EN pin supports active-low logic control with 0.5 V max logic-low threshold and 50 mV hysteresis, ensuring robust noise immunity during enable/disable transitions.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

TPS7230QP is housed in an 8-pin PDIP (P) package with 0.300-inch body width, through-hole mounting, and industry-standard lead spacing. Pin assignments are validated per TI SLVS102G Figure 1 (D/P/PW top view) and functional block diagram.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar LDO voltage regulation applications.

Compared with TPS7230QD and TPS7230QPWR, the TPS7230QP offers direct through-hole compatibility, simplified prototyping, and higher thermal resistance tolerance in ambient-air-cooled environments - making it optimal for lab validation, low-volume industrial controls, and legacy board upgrades.

Availability

TPS7230QP is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for portable medical devices, industrial data loggers, handheld test equipment, and automotive body control modules requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for TPS7230QP 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 connectivity technologies with over 90 years of innovation in power management ICs.

The TPS72xx family was engineered specifically for micropower, low-dropout regulation in battery-critical applications - prioritizing ultra-low IQ, precise output accuracy, and integrated power supervision without external components.

FAQ

What is the minimum input voltage required for TPS7230QP to maintain regulation at 250 mA?

The minimum input voltage for TPS7230QP at 250 mA is calculated as VO + VDO(max) = 3.0 V + 502 mV = 3.502 V at 25°C. Per datasheet Section 5, the recommended minimum is 3.96 V to ensure regulation across –40°C to 125°C and full load range. Below this, dropout may exceed specification, causing output sag or PG assertion.

Can the SENSE pin of TPS7230QP be left unconnected or tied to a remote sense point?

No - the SENSE pin of TPS7230QP must be tied directly to the OUT pin as close as possible to the device, per datasheet Note A and Figure 2. Leaving it floating violates bias conditions and causes regulation failure; remote sensing is not supported - this is a fixed-output variant without adjustable feedback.

Does TPS7230QP require an external pull-up resistor on the PG pin?

Yes - the PG pin is an open-drain output and requires an external pull-up resistor (typically 4.7 kΩ to 10 kΩ) to the regulated 3.0 V rail or another logic-compatible supply. Without it, PG cannot assert a valid high state, breaking power-good signaling to connected microcontrollers or supervisors.

How does the EN pin behavior differ between active and standby modes for TPS7230QP?

When EN ≤ 0.5 V (25°C), TPS7230QP operates in active mode with 180 µA quiescent current; when EN ≥ 2 V, it enters standby mode drawing ≤0.5 µA. The 50 mV hysteresis prevents oscillation near the 0.5 V threshold, and EN accepts voltages up to VI - enabling direct connection to 3.3 V or 5 V GPIOs without level shifters.

Is TPS7230QP qualified for automotive applications per AEC-Q100?

No - TPS7230QP is not AEC-Q100 qualified. It is specified for industrial temperature range (–40°C to 125°C) but lacks automotive-grade stress testing, failure analysis, and qualification documentation. For automotive use, consider TI's TLV70030 or TPS7B6733-Q1 as functionally similar AEC-Q100 alternatives.