Texas Instruments TPS79015DBVT

Overview

TPS79015DBVT from Texas Instruments is a 1.5-V, 50-mA ultralow-power, low-noise LDO voltage regulator in a 5-pin SOT-23 (DBV) package. It features 57 mV typical dropout at 50 mA, 17 µA quiescent current, and 56 µV_RMS output noise (measured on TPS79030 variant with identical architecture). It is used in battery-powered microcontroller cores requiring stable 1.5-V supply with minimal power loss and high PSRR.

For engineers reviewing the TPS79015DBVT datasheet, TPS79015DBVT pinout, TPS79015DBVT application, or TPS79015DBVT equivalent, key selection criteria include dropout voltage at 50 mA load, standby current under enable disable, bypass-capacitor-dependent noise reduction, and thermal shutdown behavior across –40°C to 125°C junction temperature.

Technical Context

The TPS79015DBVT uses a PMOS pass element instead of a conventional PNP transistor, enabling dropout voltage directly proportional to load current and eliminating drive-current dependency. Its internal 150-kΩ resistor on the BYPASS pin forms an RC filter with external capacitor to suppress reference noise.

It integrates overcurrent limiting (~350 mA), thermal shutdown (~165°C trip), and logic-enable control with ~1.5 V threshold. The EN pin accepts 0.9 V (low) for enable and ≥1.7 V (high) for disable, reducing ground current to 1 µA in standby mode.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

TPS79015DBVT is housed in a 5-pin SOT-23 (DBV) surface-mount package, 2.9 mm × 1.6 mm × 1.1 mm, JEDEC MO-178 compliant, with gull-wing leads and RoHS-compliant NiPdAu finish.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with TPS79015DBVT, TPS78015DRVR offers dramatically lower standby current but sacrifices fast start-up and ease of noise tuning; MCP1700T-1502E/TT provides higher current and lower I_Q but omits critical features like enable and bypass filtering required for precision analog or low-duty-cycle systems.

Availability

TPS79015DBVT is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for portable medical sensors, wearable health monitors, industrial IoT edge nodes, and low-power microcontroller systems requiring stable component supply with full traceability and long-term lifecycle support.

Supply support for TPS79015DBVT 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 company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, delivering analog and embedded processing solutions for industrial, automotive, and personal electronics markets.

The TPS790xx product line was designed specifically for battery-powered equipment demanding ultralow quiescent current, low output noise, and minimal dropout voltage - targeting portable instrumentation, wearables, and energy-harvesting systems.

FAQ

What is the minimum input voltage required for stable operation of the TPS79015DBVT?

The TPS79015DBVT requires a minimum input voltage of 2.7 V, as specified in the recommended operating conditions. This is independent of the 1.5-V output because the family's minimum input is fixed at 2.7 V for VO ≤ 1.8 V. Operation below 2.7 V risks dropout or regulation failure, even if the theoretical dropout margin appears sufficient.

Does the TPS79015DBVT support reverse current protection?

The TPS79015DBVT does not include active reverse current protection. Its PMOS pass element contains an intrinsic back-gate diode that conducts from OUT to IN when VI falls below VO (e.g., during power-down). This uncontrolled reverse conduction may discharge downstream capacitance or affect system sequencing - external blocking diodes or ideal diode controllers are recommended if reverse current must be prevented.

How does the BYPASS pin affect startup time and noise performance in the TPS79015DBVT?

The BYPASS pin on the TPS79015DBVT connects internally to the voltage reference through a 150-kΩ resistor. Adding an external capacitor creates an RC filter: larger values (e.g., 0.1 µF) reduce output noise further but increase startup delay due to the RC time constant. For example, 0.01 µF yields 56 µV_RMS noise and moderate start-up; 0.1 µF lowers noise but slows regulation onset - design trade-off must be validated per application timing requirements.

What output capacitor ESR range ensures stability for the TPS79015DBVT?

The TPS79015DBVT requires an output capacitor with ESR between 0.2 Ω and 10 Ω for guaranteed stability. Ceramic capacitors often fall below 0.2 Ω and may require a small series resistor (e.g., 0.5 Ω) to meet this range. Solid tantalum or aluminum electrolytic capacitors typically satisfy the ESR requirement inherently. Using a 4.7 µF–10 µF X7R ceramic with added series resistance is a common, space-efficient solution.

Is the TPS79015DBVT pin-compatible with other members of the TPS790xx family?

Yes, all TPS790xx variants - including TPS79015DBVT, TPS79018DBVT, TPS79025DBVT, TPS79028DBVT, and TPS79030DBVT - share identical 5-pin SOT-23 (DBV) packaging and pinout (IN, GND, EN, BYPASS, OUT). This allows direct substitution within the same footprint when adjusting output voltage, provided input voltage and load requirements remain compatible with the new variant's specifications.