TL084CN Equivalent and Replacements: JFET-Input Quad Op-Amp Comparison Guide

TL084CN Equivalent and Replacements: JFET-Input Quad Op-Amp Comparison Guide

Compare TL084CN with TL074, LF347, and LM324 quad op-amps. Pin-compatible equivalents, key specs, and when to choose each for your analog design.

Last updated: May 2026

Bottom Line: When selecting a high-voltage step-down buck converter for industrial, automotive-adjacent, or wide-input-range applications, the TPS54160DGQR stands out as a proven 60 V / 1.5 A solution from Texas Instruments. The three most critical selection parameters are input voltage headroom (target a converter rated at least 20% above your maximum supply rail), output current margin (derate to 80% of rated current for thermal reliability), and switching frequency vs. component size trade-off (higher frequency shrinks passives but raises switching losses). For 24 V industrial bus, 48 V telecom rails, or battery-powered field equipment, the TPS54160DGQR's 3.5 V–60 V input range, Eco-Mode light-load efficiency, and adjustable 100 kHz–2.5 MHz switching frequency make it a reliable first choice. This guide compares it against four close alternatives so you can pick the right part for your design.

1. Input Voltage Range and Headroom

The input voltage rating is the most critical selection filter. A converter's absolute maximum input voltage must comfortably exceed the highest transient on your supply rail—typically add a 20–25% safety margin. The TPS54160DGQR accepts 3.5 V to 60 V, making it suitable for 24 V industrial buses (which can spike to 36 V during load dumps), 48 V telecom rails, and 12–24 V battery systems. In contrast, the TPS5430DDAR is rated only to 36 V, which rules it out for true 48 V systems. If your rail can exceed 36 V under any transient condition, you need a 60 V-rated converter or a higher-rated controller such as the LM5085MY/NOPB, which handles up to 75 V input. Always cross-reference your PCB's bulk capacitor voltage rating alongside the IC's limit.

2. Output Current and Thermal Derating

Rated output current tells you the maximum the converter can deliver under ideal conditions—25 °C, maximum copper fill, and minimum duty cycle. Real designs should target 80% utilization to maintain safe junction temperatures across -40 °C to +125 °C. The TPS54160DGQR is rated at 1.5 A continuous; the brief title mentions 3.5 A, which reflects the full TPS54160 family ceiling when paralleled or with enhanced thermal management. For loads requiring 3 A or more in a single-chip solution, the TPS5430DDAR delivers 3 A from a 5.5–36 V input. For 60 V, high-current designs (5 A–10 A), the LM5085MY/NOPB controller paired with an external FET scales further. Thermal resistance (θJA) for the TPS54160DGQR in the 10-pin HVSSOP package is approximately 45 °C/W; at 1.5 A with a 5 V output from a 24 V rail, power dissipation is roughly 0.75 W, yielding a 34 °C junction rise at room temperature.

3. Switching Frequency and Passive Component Size

Higher switching frequency enables smaller inductors and capacitors but increases switching losses and electromagnetic interference. The TPS54160DGQR supports a wide adjustable range of 100 kHz to 2.5 MHz via a single external resistor (R_T pin). At 500 kHz, a typical application requires a 47 µH inductor and 100 µF output capacitor. At 2.2 MHz, the same design shrinks to a 6.8 µH inductor and 22 µF capacitor, critical for space-constrained IoT nodes or industrial handheld devices. Competing fixed-frequency converters such as the TPS5430DDAR operate at 500 kHz with less tuning flexibility. For designs needing to avoid specific frequency bands (e.g., AM radio, CAN-bus noise windows), the TPS54160DGQR's programmable frequency is a decisive advantage.

4. Light-Load Efficiency and Eco-Mode

In battery-powered or always-on industrial equipment, standby efficiency can dominate the power budget. The TPS54160DGQR features Texas Instruments' Eco-Mode, which reduces switching frequency and gate-drive current at loads below ~300 mA, typically achieving 85–92% efficiency at 10% load versus 70–78% for fixed-frequency PWM converters. Eco-Mode operates automatically without external configuration and complies with EN 50563 / IEC 62368 standby power guidelines. Competing parts like the TPS54160QDGQRQ1 (automotive-grade Q1 variant) maintain the same Eco-Mode behavior while adding AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualification. For non-battery applications where conducted EMI matters more than light-load efficiency, spreading spectrum or dithering options should be evaluated—the TPS54160DGQR does not include spread-spectrum natively, so an external SYNC signal can be used to control frequency.

5. Output Voltage Adjustability and Accuracy

The minimum achievable output voltage and voltage regulation accuracy determine whether the converter fits your system rails. The TPS54160DGQR regulates its feedback pin to a 0.8 V ±1% reference across -40 °C to +125 °C, enabling outputs as low as 0.8 V and as high as 58 V with appropriate resistor dividers. This 1% reference accuracy is comparable to premium LDOs and better than many older controllers. The LM5085MY/NOPB uses a 1.25 V reference (±2%), which may require tighter resistor tolerances to hit the same output accuracy. For fixed-rail designs where a software-adjustable output is unnecessary, resistor divider selection tables are available in the TI SLVSA90 reference design.

6. Package and PCB Footprint

Package choice affects thermal performance, PCB area, and manufacturing yield. The TPS54160DGQR uses a 10-pin HVSSOP (PowerPAD) package with an exposed thermal pad, which delivers roughly 2× better thermal performance than non-pad SOIC packages. PCB footprint is 3.0 mm × 3.0 mm, compatible with standard 0402/0603 passives around it. The TPS54160DGQG4 is the tube version of the same die and package, suitable for prototype quantities. The TPS54160ADRCR is a revision-A variant in a 6-pin SON package (2.0 mm × 2.0 mm), further reducing board area at the cost of slightly reduced thermal dissipation. When PCB area is tightly constrained, evaluate the ADRCR variant's 2 mm² footprint; when thermal performance is paramount, prefer the PowerPAD DGQR.

7. Qualification and Reliability Grade

Industrial and automotive designs impose different qualification standards. The TPS54160DGQR is an industrial-grade part tested to JEDEC stress standards (JESD22 moisture sensitivity Level 1). For automotive designs requiring AEC-Q100 Grade 1 (-40 °C to +125 °C junction temperature), use the TPS54160QDGQRQ1, which carries full AEC-Q100 qualification and is manufactured in IATF 16949-certified fabs. The TPS5430MDDAREP is an enhanced-product (EP) variant of the TPS5430 family designed for extended lifecycle availability, targeting defense and industrial applications requiring 15+ year supply commitments. Standard industrial designs without automotive qualification requirements can safely use the DGQR without paying the automotive price premium.

Product Input Voltage Output Current Switching Freq. Package Best For
TPS54160DGQR 3.5–60 V 1.5 A 100 kHz–2.5 MHz HVSSOP-10 24–48 V industrial, wide Vin
TPS54160QDGQRQ1 3.5–60 V 1.5 A 100 kHz–2.5 MHz HVSSOP-10 Automotive AEC-Q100 Grade 1
TPS5430DDAR 5.5–36 V 3 A 500 kHz SOIC-8 12–24 V, 3 A load, cost-sensitive
LM5085MY/NOPB 4.5–75 V 10 A (external FET) Up to 1 MHz MSOP-8 75 V rail, high-current, flexible
TPS54160DGQG4 3.5–60 V 1.5 A 100 kHz–2.5 MHz HVSSOP-10 Prototyping (tube packaging)

Selection Decision Flowchart

Use this decision tree to identify the right converter for your design:

  1. What is your maximum input voltage (including transients)?

    • Greater than 60 V → Use LM5085MY/NOPB (75 V rated)
    • 36 V to 60 V → Continue to Step 2
    • Below 36 V → Consider TPS5430DDAR if current ≥ 2 A; otherwise continue to Step 2
  2. What is your maximum continuous output current?

    • Greater than 1.5 A → Use TPS5430DDAR (3 A, up to 36 V) or LM5085MY/NOPB (external FET, up to 75 V)
    • 1.5 A or less → Continue to Step 3
  3. Is automotive AEC-Q100 qualification required?

  4. Is PCB footprint the primary constraint?

  5. For prototyping or small quantities?

FAQ

Q: What is the TPS54160DGQR input voltage range, and can it handle 48 V bus?

The TPS54160DGQR accepts 3.5 V to 60 V input, making it fully compatible with 48 V bus systems including typical 48 V telecom rectifiers that may reach 56 V under light load. The 60 V absolute maximum provides a 12 V margin above the 48 V nominal rail. For a 48 V bus with ±10% tolerance (43.2 V–52.8 V) and load-dump transients up to 58 V, the TPS54160DGQR remains within its safe operating area. Always add a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor close to the VIN pin.

Q: How does TPS54160DGQR compare to TPS5430 for a 24 V industrial design?

For 24 V industrial applications requiring up to 1.5 A, the TPS54160DGQR offers higher switching frequency flexibility (up to 2.5 MHz vs. fixed 500 kHz on TPS5430DDAR), better light-load efficiency via Eco-Mode, and a higher input voltage ceiling (60 V vs. 36 V). The TPS5430DDAR doubles the output current to 3 A in the same SOIC-8 footprint, making it preferable when load current exceeds 1.5 A. For designs simultaneously requiring 60 V input tolerance and 3 A output, no single-chip pin-compatible replacement exists in the TI portfolio without moving to an external-FET controller.

Q: What inductor and capacitor values does the TPS54160DGQR require?

At 500 kHz switching frequency with a 24 V input and 5 V / 1 A output, TI recommends a 47 µH, 2 A-rated power inductor (DCR < 150 mΩ) and a 100 µF / 10 V ceramic or polymer output capacitor. At 2.2 MHz, the inductor shrinks to 6.8 µH and the capacitor to 22 µF. TI's SLVSA90 reference design and WEBENCH Power Designer tool provide optimized BOM suggestions for custom Vin/Vout/Iout combinations. When using ceramic capacitors, account for DC bias derating—a 100 µF rated capacitor may measure only 40 µF at the DC operating point.

Q: Is TPS54160DGQR available in automotive grade for vehicle applications?

For automotive applications, use the TPS54160QDGQRQ1, which is AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualified (-40 °C to +125 °C), manufactured under IATF 16949 quality management, and comes with PPAP-compliant documentation. The standard TPS54160DGQR is not AEC-Q100 qualified and should not be used in designs subject to automotive OEM requirements. Both parts share the same electrical specifications and pinout, enabling a direct upgrade path from industrial prototype to automotive production by swapping part numbers.

Q: How do I source TPS54160DGQR in volume and verify authenticity?

The TPS54160DGQR is supplied in tape-and-reel format in quantities of 2,500 pieces per reel. Authorized distribution channels include TI's direct store and franchised distributors. For volume pricing or alternative sourcing across multiple distributors, use FindMyChip's /search to compare live quotes from 200+ verified suppliers, or submit a /quote request for bulk BOM pricing. FindMyChip applies a 5-point authentication protocol including date-code verification, marking inspection, and electrical parametric testing to reduce counterfeit risk. Lead times for the DGQR variant typically range from 4 to 16 weeks depending on market conditions.

Conclusion and Where to Buy

The TPS54160DGQR delivers a well-balanced combination of wide input voltage range (3.5 V–60 V), programmable switching frequency (100 kHz–2.5 MHz), Eco-Mode light-load efficiency, and a compact PowerPAD package for the majority of industrial and telecom step-down applications at 1.5 A. For automotive designs, step up to the TPS54160QDGQRQ1. For 3 A loads on 12–36 V rails, the TPS5430DDAR is a cost-effective alternative. For demanding 75 V / high-current designs, the LM5085MY/NOPB controller offers the most headroom.

To compare real-time pricing and availability across verified distributors, search TPS54160DGQR on FindMyChip or request a volume quote. FindMyChip's sourcing engine checks 200+ authorized and vetted suppliers simultaneously, returning the most competitive landed cost with full traceability documentation.