The TPS61023 is a synchronous boost converter that accepts 0.5 to 5.5 V in and makes 2.2 to 5.5 V out, with a 3.7 A valley switch current limit in a 1.2 × 1.6 mm package. It is how a single Li-ion or two alkaline cells can run a 5 V sensor board. Figures are from the Texas Instruments TPS61023 datasheet SLVSF14B.
Key specifications
| Input | 0.5–5.5 V (1.8 V to start) |
|---|---|
| Output | 2.2–5.5 V |
| Switch limit | 3.7 A valley |
| Efficiency | 94% (3.6 V to 5 V, 1.5 A) |
| Switching | 1 MHz |
| Shutdown | 0.1 µA typical |
| Package | SOT563, 6-pin |
What the datasheet promises
| Item | Datasheet value |
|---|---|
| Input voltage | 0.5 to 5.5 V; 1.8 V minimum for start-up |
| Output voltage | 2.2 to 5.5 V, set by a resistor divider |
| Switches | 47 mΩ low-side and 68 mΩ high-side MOSFETs |
| Current limit | 3.7 A valley switching limit |
| Efficiency | 94 percent at VIN = 3.6 V, VOUT = 5 V, IOUT = 1.5 A |
| Switching frequency | 1 MHz above 1.5 V in; falls to 0.5 MHz below 1 V in |
| Quiescent current | 20 µA from VOUT at light load |
| Shutdown current | 0.1 µA typical; input and output are fully disconnected |
| Light-load mode | Automatic PFM; pass-through when VIN is above VOUT |
| Protection | 5.7 V output overvoltage, output short circuit and thermal shutdown |
| Package | SOT563 (DRL), 6-pin, 1.20 × 1.60 mm |
The current an actual module can deliver depends on the input voltage, because boost converters draw more input current as the input falls. The datasheet efficiency curves show this; the 1.5 A figure above is for a 3.6 V input.
Using it on a robot
- Raise a single Li-ion cell to a steady 5 V for servos, sensors or a camera module, within the current the datasheet curves allow.
- If the input can go above or below the output, the TPS63020 is the buck-boost choice.
- Keep the input and output capacitors and the inductor tight against the chip, as the layout section advises.
- Do not set the output above 5.5 V; the overvoltage protection trips at 5.7 V.
Sources and further reading
- Texas Instruments TPS61023 datasheet (SLVSF14B) — input and output range, switches, efficiency, frequency, shutdown current and protection above.
Last reviewed: November 2026. Limits are from the Texas Instruments datasheet; breakout boards and modules vary. No price is quoted because it has not been checked.
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