Texas Instruments TPS7A1518PDRVR

Overview

TPS7A1518PDRVR from Texas Instruments is a 400-mA ultra-low-dropout linear regulator (LDO) with 0.7 V to 2.2 V input range, fixed 1.8 V output, ±1% accuracy over load/line/temperature, 80 mV max dropout at 400 mA, and active output discharge - designed for power-sensitive battery-operated systems such as camera modules and wearables.

For engineers reviewing the TPS7A1518PDRVR datasheet, TPS7A1518PDRVR pinout, TPS7A1518PDRVR application, or TPS7A1518PDRVR equivalent, key selection criteria include LILO (low-input, low-output) capability, BIAS rail dependency, SENSE feedback for remote load regulation, thermal shutdown behavior, and WSON-6 package thermal performance under high-current transient loads.

Technical Context

The TPS7A151518PDRVR uses a dual-rail architecture: the IN pin supplies the main power path (down to 50 mV above VOUT), while the BIAS pin (2.2–5.5 V) powers internal reference and control circuitry - enabling stable operation under ultra-low VIN conditions. It implements foldback current limiting with 450–1100 mA ICL and 270 mA ISC, plus global UVLO on both IN and BIAS pins.

Its functional block includes an active overshoot pulldown circuit, thermal shutdown with 165°C trip/140°C reset hysteresis, and a dedicated SENSE pin for precision remote voltage sensing. The device supports fast start-up (200 µs) and delivers 84 dB PSRR at 1 kHz with 7.2 µV_RMS output noise (10 Hz–100 kHz).

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

TPS7A1518PDRVR is packaged in a 2-mm × 2-mm, 6-pin WSON (DRV) with exposed thermal pad electrically tied to GND - optimized for PCB heat dissipation in space-constrained layouts.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar low-input, low-output LDO applications.

Compared with TPS7A1518PDRVR, TPS7A1618DRVR trades current capacity and SENSE for nanoamp quiescent current, while NCP114AMX18T2G sacrifices LILO operation and active discharge for cost-sensitive, non-battery-critical applications - making TPS7A1518PDRVR the sole option for 400-mA, sub-1-V headroom, SENSE-enabled designs.

Availability

TPS7A1518PDRVR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for camera modules, wireless earbuds, and smart watches requiring stable component supply with full production data status and long-term lifecycle support.

Supply support for TPS7A1518PDRVR 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 specializing in analog and embedded processing technologies, with leadership in power management ICs for portable and industrial applications.

The TPS7A15 product line targets ultra-low-voltage, high-efficiency power delivery in battery-powered consumer electronics - specifically engineered to replace discrete DC/DC + LDO cascades with a single-chip LILO solution.

FAQ

What is the minimum input voltage required for TPS7A1518PDRVR to regulate 1.8 V output?

The TPS7A1518PDRVR requires VIN ≥ VOUT + 100 mV for full specification compliance, meaning minimum 1.9 V input. However, it can operate down to 0.7 V on IN when paired with a valid BIAS supply (≥2.2 V or VOUT + 1.4 V), though regulation accuracy degrades below VIN = 1.9 V. This LILO capability is confirmed in Section 6.3 Recommended Operating Conditions and Figure 6-4 of the SBVS436B datasheet.

Does TPS7A1518PDRVR support remote voltage sensing, and how is it implemented?

Yes, TPS7A1518PDRVR supports remote sensing via its dedicated SENSE pin. When connected directly to the load's VCC pin, the SENSE input closes the feedback loop at the point of load, compensating for IR drop across PCB traces and connectors. This maintains ±1% output accuracy at the load under dynamic current conditions - a feature explicitly documented in Table 5-2 (DRV Pin Functions) and Section 7.3.1 of the datasheet.

What thermal performance can be expected from TPS7A1518PDRVR in the WSON-6 (DRV) package?

In the 2-mm × 2-mm WSON-6 (DRV) package, TPS7A1518PDRVR has a junction-to-ambient thermal resistance (R_θJA) of 75.7°C/W with proper PCB layout (including thermal pad connected to GND plane). At 400 mA load with 100 mV dropout, power dissipation is 40 mW, resulting in ~3°C junction rise above ambient - well within safe operating limits. This value is specified in Table 6.4 Thermal Information of SBVS436B.

How does the active discharge function work in TPS7A1518PDRVR, and what is its pull-down resistance?

The TPS7A1518PDRVR activates an internal MOSFET-based pulldown circuit upon disable (EN low), connecting a 36 Ω resistor (typical) between OUT and GND to rapidly discharge output capacitance. This ensures predictable power-down states and prevents floating rails. The value is specified in Section 6.5 Electrical Characteristics (RPULLDOWN parameter) and applies only to the P-version (which includes TPS7A1518PDRVR).

Is TPS7A1518PDRVR pin-compatible with other members of the TPS7A15 family, such as TPS7A1505 or TPS7A1525?

Yes, all TPS7A15 variants in the DRV (WSON-6) package - including TPS7A1505PDRVR, TPS7A1512PDRVR, TPS7A1518PDRVR, and TPS7A1525PDRVR - share identical pinout, package dimensions, and footprint. Only the fixed output voltage differs; all electrical characteristics (dropout, PSRR, noise, thermal specs) and functional features (SENSE, BIAS, EN, active discharge) are consistent across the family per Section 10 Mechanical, Packaging, and Orderable Information.