Texas Instruments TPS7A4101DGNT

Overview

TPS7A4101 from Texas Instruments is a very high-voltage linear regulator designed for industrial and telecom power rails where transient overvoltage resilience is critical. It accepts 7 V to 50 V input, delivers up to 50 mA output current with 2.5% overall accuracy over line/load/temperature, features 290 mV dropout at 20 mA, and operates across –40°C to 125°C. It serves as a robust bias supply for microcontrollers powered by industrial busses subject to high-voltage transients.

For engineers reviewing the TPS7A4101 datasheet, TPS7A4101 pinout, TPS7A4101 application, or TPS7A4101 equivalent, this page provides verified functional mode definitions, thermal derating guidance, ceramic capacitor stability requirements (≥4.7 µF COUT), CMOS-compatible enable logic thresholds (VEN_HI = 1.5 V), and design-meaning context for key specs including quiescent current (25 µA), PSRR (65 dB @ 100 Hz), and feedback reference voltage (1.173 V typ).

Technical Context

The TPS7A4101 uses a BiCMOS process enabling continuous 50 V DC input tolerance and fast transient immunity without external TVS clamping. Its internal error amplifier compares FB voltage against a 1.173 V reference to control a bipolar pass device, delivering adjustable output from 1.175 V to 48 V via external R1/R2 divider.

It implements three distinct functional modes: normal regulation (VIN > VOUT + VDO, VEN > 1.5 V), dropout (VIN < VOUT + VDO but still enabled), and disabled (VEN < 0.4 V or TJ > 170°C). Thermal shutdown activates at 170°C and resets at 150°C, while current limiting triggers between 51 mA and 200 mA depending on VIN and temperature.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

HVSSOP-8 PowerPAD™ package (3.00 mm × 3.00 mm) with exposed thermal pad soldered to PCB ground plane for enhanced heat dissipation (RθJB = 38.1°C/W).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with LT3080IMSE#PBF and MAX5023ASA+, the TPS7A4101 uniquely combines 50 V input tolerance, 50 mA output, adjustable output down to 1.175 V, and 25 µA quiescent current - making it the only option among the three that meets full industrial bus transient requirements while supporting multi-rail flexibility.

Availability

TPS7A4101 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial automation, telecom infrastructure, and automotive body control modules requiring stable component supply across extended temperature and high-voltage operating conditions.

Supply support for TPS7A4101 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 industrial, automotive, and communications markets.

The TPS7A4101 belongs to TI's high-voltage linear regulator product line, engineered specifically for applications demanding resilience to industrial bus transients and compact, thermally efficient regulation from 7 V to 50 V inputs.

FAQ

What is the minimum output capacitance required for stability of the TPS7A4101?

The TPS7A4101 requires a minimum output capacitance of 4.7 µF ceramic to ensure stability across temperature and load conditions. TI recommends using 10 µF or higher for improved AC performance, including transient response and PSRR. The capacitor must be placed adjacent to the OUT and GND pins with minimal trace length to reduce ESL and maintain loop integrity. Using less than 4.7 µF risks oscillation or loss of regulation in the TPS7A4101.

Can the TPS7A4101 regulate from a 48 V input down to 3.3 V output?

Yes, the TPS7A4101 can regulate from 48 V input to 3.3 V output, provided the power dissipation remains within thermal limits. At 50 mA load, PD = (48 V – 3.3 V) × 0.05 A ≈ 2.24 W. With RθJA = 66.7°C/W, junction temperature rise would exceed safe limits without heatsinking. Use PCB copper area, thermal vias, and PowerPAD grounding to achieve RθJB = 38.1°C/W, enabling reliable operation. Always verify TJ < 125°C in final layout for the TPS7A4101.

What is the purpose of the CBYP pin connection in the TPS7A4101?

The TPS7A4101 does not have a dedicated CBYP pin; rather, CBYP refers to a 10 nF ceramic bypass capacitor connected between FB and OUT pins to improve AC performance. This capacitor enhances line transient response, reduces output noise (to 58 µVRMS), and boosts PSRR above 36 dB across 10 Hz–10 MHz. While not required for basic stability, TI strongly recommends CBYP for noise-sensitive applications such as ADC references or RF bias rails in the TPS7A4101 design.

How does the enable pin (EN) of the TPS7A4101 behave during power-up?

The TPS7A4101 EN pin enables regulation when VEN exceeds 1.5 V (VEN_HI) and disables it when VEN falls below 0.4 V (VEN_LO). During power-up, if EN is tied to IN, the regulator turns on once VIN reaches ~1.5 V - but ensure VEN never exceeds VIN to avoid overstress. For controlled sequencing, drive EN with a clean logic signal after VIN stabilizes. The TPS7A4101 draws only 4.1 µA in shutdown, making it ideal for low-power wake-up architectures.

Is the TPS7A4101 suitable for use in automotive applications compliant with ISO 7637-2?

Yes, the TPS7A4101 supports automotive applications per ISO 7637-2 due to its 50 V absolute maximum input rating and ability to withstand fast transients up to 50 V. It operates continuously from 7 V to 40 V - covering cold-crank (≈6.5 V) and load-dump (up to 40 V) conditions. Its –40°C to 125°C operating range and built-in thermal/current protection make it suitable for body control modules and infotainment power rails. Confirm layout adherence to TI's HVSSOP thermal guidelines for the TPS7A4101 in automotive environments.