Texas Instruments TPS73201DBVRG4

Overview

TPS73201DBVRG4 from Texas Instruments is a capacitor-free, NMOS-based low-dropout (LDO) voltage regulator delivering up to 250mA output current with 40mV typical dropout at full load, 0.5% initial accuracy, and 30μVRMS output noise (10kHz–100kHz). It operates from 1.7V to 5.5V input and supports adjustable output (1.2V–5.5V) via external feedback resistors - ideal for powering noise-sensitive VCOs in portable RF modules.

For engineers reviewing the TPS73201DBVRG4 datasheet, TPS73201DBVRG4 pinout, TPS73201DBVRG4 application, or TPS73201DBVRG4 equivalent, key selection criteria include ultra-low-noise regulation without mandatory output capacitance, reverse current protection, thermal shutdown, and compatibility with fast-transient DSP/FPGA core supplies where ground-current stability and startup time (<600µs) are critical.

Technical Context

The TPS73201DBVRG4 employs an NMOS pass transistor with integrated 4MHz charge pump to drive the gate above VOUT, enabling stable operation without output capacitors and achieving <150mV dropout across temperature and load. Its servo-loop architecture uses a precision 1.204V bandgap reference and features dedicated noise-reduction functionality via external CFB on the FB pin - unlike fixed-output variants that use NR.

This adjustable version lacks the NR pin but supports output noise reduction through a feedback capacitor (CFB) from OUT to FB, lowering RMS noise to ~8.5×VOUT µVRMS (10Hz–100kHz) when CFB = 10nF. Ground pin current remains nearly constant over load (400–950µA), and shutdown current is <1µA with EN ≤ 0.5V.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

TPS73201DBVRG4 is packaged in a 5-pin SOT-23 (DBV) with 2.9mm × 2.8mm footprint and no exposed thermal pad. Pin 1 is IN; Pin 2 is GND; Pin 3 is EN; Pin 4 is FB (feedback input); Pin 5 is OUT.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with TPS73201DBVRG4, the TPS7A2025PDQNR offers higher current but sacrifices adjustability and capacitor-free operation, while the MCP1703T-2502E/MB trades noise performance, reverse protection, and enable functionality for lower unit cost - making TPS73201DBVRG4 optimal for precision, flexible, and space-constrained LDO designs.

Availability

TPS73201DBVRG4 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for portable RF transceivers, FPGA core supplies, industrial sensor signal chains, and VCO power applications requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and guaranteed traceable sourcing.

Supply support for TPS73201DBVRG4 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 LDO innovation and automotive-grade reliability validation.

The TPS732 product line delivers capacitor-free, low-noise, NMOS-based LDOs targeting portable, battery-powered, and noise-sensitive applications - designed specifically for VCOs, RF ICs, and high-precision analog signal chains where stability and spectral purity are paramount.

FAQ

What output voltage does the TPS73201DBVRG4 support?

The TPS73201DBVRG4 is an adjustable LDO requiring external resistors on the FB pin to set output voltage from 1.2V to 5.5V. Its internal reference is 1.204V, and VOUT = 1.204V × (1 + R1/R2). Unlike fixed-output variants (e.g., TPS73225), it has no built-in voltage divider - enabling precise tailoring for custom rail requirements in the TPS73201DBVRG4 design.

Does the TPS73201DBVRG4 require an output capacitor for stability?

No, the TPS73201DBVRG4 is explicitly designed to operate stably with zero output capacitance due to its NMOS pass transistor topology and internal compensation. This is confirmed in the datasheet's "Stable with no output capacitor" feature and Figure 5-35–5-36 load transient waveforms showing stable response with COUT = 0µF - a key differentiator of the TPS73201DBVRG4 in space-constrained layouts.

How is noise reduced on the TPS73201DBVRG4 since it lacks an NR pin?

The TPS73201DBVRG4 replaces the NR pin (used in fixed-output versions) with FB functionality and supports noise reduction via a capacitor (CFB) from OUT to FB. With CFB = 10nF, RMS noise drops to ~8.5×VOUT µVRMS (10Hz–100kHz), per Figure 5-47–5-48. This method is validated for the TPS73201DBVRG4 in the "Adjustable-Voltage Version" block diagram and Section 6.3.1.

What is the maximum junction temperature and thermal protection behavior of the TPS73201DBVRG4?

The TPS73201DBVRG4 has a maximum operating junction temperature of 125°C and thermal shutdown activation at 160°C (rising) with reset at 140°C (falling). Its SOT-23 package exhibits RθJA = 185.2°C/W (new silicon), meaning 100mW dissipation raises junction temperature by ~18.5°C above ambient - critical for thermal design validation in the TPS73201DBVRG4 implementation.

Can the TPS73201DBVRG4 be used with input voltages below 1.7V?

No - the absolute minimum input voltage for the TPS73201DBVRG4 is 1.7V, as specified in Recommended Operating Conditions (Section 5.3) and Absolute Maximum Ratings (Section 5.1). Operation below this violates datasheet limits and risks failure to regulate or activate undervoltage lockout. For sub-1.7V operation, alternative regulators like TPS7A05 must be evaluated instead of the TPS73201DBVRG4.