TPS61023 5 V boost converter: specs and pinout
A boost (step-up) converter breakout built on the Texas Instruments TPS61023. It raises a low input such as a single lithium cell to a higher output. The chip's 3.7 A is its switch current limit, not a guaranteed output current.
Specs
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Input voltage range | 0.5 V to 5.5 V | source Features; Recommended Operating Conditions |
| Output voltage setting range | 2.2 V to 5.5 V (set by the feedback divider) | source Features; Recommended Operating Conditions |
| Valley switch current limit | 3.7 A typical | source Electrical Characteristics, ILIM_SW |
| Switching frequency | 1 MHz when VIN > 1.5 V; 0.5 MHz when VIN < 1 V | source Features |
| Shutdown current | 0.1 uA typical (VIN and SW) | source Electrical Characteristics, ISD |
| Quiescent current from VOUT | About 20 uA in light-load power save | source Electrical Characteristics |
| Output short to ground | Output current limited to about 350 mA | source 7.3.7 Output Short-to-Ground Protection |
| Operating junction temperature | -40 C to +125 C | source Electrical Characteristics |
Power
| Value | Source | |
|---|---|---|
| Supply | Input 0.5 V to 5.5 V | source Electrical Characteristics; 7.3.7 |
| Current | Valley switch current limit 3.7 A (not the output current rating) | source Electrical Characteristics; 7.3.7 |
Pinout
The pinout is the TPS61023 chip's (6-pin SOT563). The fixed-output breakout board, its feedback resistors, connectors and rated output current are not covered by an official document.
| Pin | Function | Voltage | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FB (1) | Voltage feedback of adjustable output | source Pin Functions | ||
| EN (2) | Enable input | High enables; low gives shutdown | source Pin Functions | |
| VIN (3) | IC power supply input | 0.5 V to 5.5 V | source Pin Functions | |
| GND (4) | Ground | 0 V | source Pin Functions | |
| SW (5) | Converter switch node | Inductor connection | source Pin Functions | |
| VOUT (6) | Boost converter output | 2.2 V to 5.5 V | source Pin Functions |
Build with it
Project ideas for the TPS61023 5 V boost converter. Each link opens Soldr with the prompt filled in; Soldr assigns the pins, checks power and shows how to wire every part.
- Single-cell powered ESP32 board: A cell between about 3.0 V and 4.2 V sits inside the 0.5 V to 5.5 V input range, and the boost gives the 5 V that the ESP32 board's input expects. The protection board guards the cell. Check the breakout's marked output before connecting. An ESP32 draws far more during Wi-Fi bursts than at idle and the breakout's output current rating is not documented, so keep Wi-Fi use light and measure the draw (see the load test idea).
- Portable Uno from one cell: Input stays at or below 4.2 V, well under the 5.5 V limit, and the cell is guarded by the protection board. Learning project.
- Boost load-current test with an INA219: The INA219 sits in the boost output line to the ESP32 board and the Uno prints the current over USB, so you see how much the load really takes from the boost. The cell input stays inside the 0.5 V to 5.5 V range and the cell is guarded by the protection board. The TI sheet limits output current in a short circuit to about 350 mA, so do not short the output. Learning project.
Common mistakes
- Feeding more than 5.5 V in: the input range ends at 5.5 V (source: link, Recommended Operating Conditions)
- Treating 3.7 A as the output current: it is the valley switch current limit, and the output current available is lower and depends on input voltage (source: link, Electrical Characteristics)
- Expecting regulation when the input is above the output: the chip enters pass-through mode and the output follows the input (source: link, 7.3.5 Pass-Through Operation)
Not covered by the official source
- Breakout's fixed output setting and rated output current are not documented by an official source.
Sources
- link (TPS61023 datasheet SLVSF14B, Sept 2019, revised Aug 2020)