TI unveils industry's smallest 12-V, 10-A DC/DC step-down power solution

Texas Instruments TPSM84A21 TPSM84A22

Highly integrated SWIFT™ power modules eliminate input and output capacitors to provide best transient performance for space-constrained applications

Texas Instruments (TI) introduced a pair of 12-V, 10-A, 4-MHz step-down power modules that provide a power management solution that is 20 percent smaller than any other 10-A power module-based solution available today. The easy-to-use SWIFT TPSM84A21 and TPSM84A22 DC/DC modules integrate power MOSFETs, shielded inductors, input and output capacitors, and passives into a tiny, low profile footprint. In addition, it provides industry-leading performance, with as little as 1 percent overshoot in transient conditions without special magnetics or additional capacitors.

Texas Instruments - TPSM84A21, TPSM84A22

By using the step-down power module together with TI's WEBENCH® Power Designer, engineers can get their space-constrained point-of-load (POL) telecom, networking, and test and measurement power-supply designs to market faster.

Unlike other 10-A step-down modules available today, the highly integrated TPSM84A21 and TPSM84A22 require just one external voltage-setting resistor for a complete 12-V step-down power solution. For an application such as powering tightly regulated field-programmable gate array (FPGA) rails, a typical 10-A module would require up to 16 external capacitors. In comparison, the TPSM84A21 provides ultra-low output ripple due to the very high 4-MHz switching frequency and integrated 185 microfarads of output capacitance, which maintains regulation accuracy without any external capacitors.

The TPSM84A21 Transient Response
The TPSM84A21 Transient Response.

TPSM84A21 and TPSM84A22 key features and benefits

  • Tiny solution:
    A9-mm by 15-mm module and a single external voltage-setting resistor make up a complete solution footprint of 11 mm by 15 mm.
     
  • Low profile:
    Measuring 2.3 mm in height, the small size, weight and bill of materials enable placement of the complete solution on the back side of a printed circuit board.
     
  • Best transient performance:
    4-MHz switching enables ±1 percent overshoot without any external capacitors.
     
  • Easy to design:
    Integrated input and output capacitors eliminate the loop compensation and magnetics part selection from the design process. Use WEBENCH Power Designer to quickly create a complete 12-V, 10-A DC/DC step-down solution with just one voltage-setting resistor.

Availability, packaging and pricing

The TPSM84A21 with a voltage output of 0.55 V to 1.35 V and the TPSM84A22 with a voltage output of 1.2 V to 2.0 V are available in volume now through the TI store and authorized distributors. Offered in a 20-pin quad flat micro (QFM) package, the modules are priced at US$8.63 in 1,000-unit quantities. Order the TPS84A21EVM and TPS84A22EVM evaluation modules and download the PSpice transient models.

TPSM84A21EVM-808 Evaluation Module Board
TPSM84A21EVM-808 Evaluation Module Board.

The TPSM84A21 and TPSM84A22 are the newest additions to TI's broad portfolio of DC/DC power modules that integrate inductors, FETs, compensation, and other passive components into a single package to save board space and simplify prototyping, design, and manufacturing.