TPS62841DGRR Buck Converter Selection Guide: Ultra-Low 60 nA IQ for Battery-Powered IoT
How to choose the right TPS62841 variant for IoT, wearables, and wireless sensors: quiescent current, voltage range, package, and application examples.
Last updated: May 2026
Bottom Line: The TPS62841DGRR is a 750-mA, 1.8 V–6.5 V input, ultra-low 60 nA quiescent-current synchronous buck converter in a compact 8-pin WSON-HR package. When choosing a low-power step-down converter for battery-operated IoT, wearables, or wireless sensor nodes, the three deciding factors are quiescent current (target < 100 nA for years of coin-cell life), input/output voltage range compatibility with your battery chemistry, and output current headroom against peak transient loads. The TPS62841 family satisfies all three criteria at a competitive price point available through FindMyChip's 200+ verified distributors.
Why Quiescent Current Matters in Battery-Powered Designs
Quiescent current (IQ) is the current a converter draws when its load is zero or near-zero. In IoT and wearable devices that spend > 99 % of their time in deep sleep, IQ dominates total battery drain far more than active-mode switching losses.
A 60 nA IQ converter running from a 220 mAh CR2032 coin cell will last theoretically > 40 years in quiescent state alone, versus only 4 years for a 600 nA device. The TPS62841DGRR achieves 60 nA IQ across the full –40 °C to 125 °C temperature range, making it exceptional for outdoor sensor nodes. For comparison, many competing regulators specify IQ at room temperature only, with IQ rising 3–5× at elevated temperatures. Always check the full-temperature IQ curve in the datasheet before committing to a design.
Recommended target: IQ < 100 nA for coin-cell designs, IQ < 1 µA acceptable for AA/Li-ion designs with moderate sleep ratios.
Input Voltage Range: Matching Your Battery Chemistry
The TPS62841DGRR accepts 1.8 V to 6.5 V input, covering the discharge profile of:
- Single-cell Li-ion/LiPo (4.2 V full, 3.0 V cutoff)
- Two-cell NiMH (2.8 V–3.2 V)
- Single-cell alkaline/CR2032 (3.0 V nominal, 2.0 V cutoff)
- 5 V USB or regulated supply rails
The 1.8 V minimum input is critical: a Li-ion cell that has discharged to 3.0 V still has usable charge, and the converter must remain stable at this level. For supercapacitor backup systems starting at 5 V and decaying toward 1.8 V, TPS62841 can harvest almost the entire stored energy. If your supply dips below 1.8 V (e.g., two series alkaline cells at end-of-life ≈ 1.6 V), consider a boost-buck topology instead.
Output Current: 750 mA Continuous, Transient Headroom
The TPS62841DGRR delivers 750 mA continuous output current with a typical peak current limit of 1.1 A. In low-power applications, 750 mA seems generous, but transient peaks matter:
- LoRa SX1276 PA transmit: up to 120 mA @ 3.3 V for 50–500 ms bursts
- BLE 5.0 advertising: 15–25 mA peaks every 100–1000 ms
- Cellular LTE Cat-M: up to 500 mA @ 3.8 V for network attach events
Each transient must be supplied without significant output voltage droop. With 750 mA rated current and 47 µF output capacitance, the TPS62841DGRR holds output ripple < 10 mV under 300 mA step loads. Select 2×22 µF low-ESR (X5R/X7R) MLCC capacitors at the output for best transient response.
Package and PCB Footprint Selection
The TPS62841 family ships in three packages:
| Package | Size | Thermal Resistance (θJA) | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| WSON-HR 8-pin (DGRR) | 2.0 × 2.0 mm | 60 °C/W | Space-constrained PCBs, good thermal |
| VSON 8-pin (DLCR) | 3.0 × 3.0 mm | 55 °C/W | Easier hand soldering, slightly better thermal |
| DSBGA 6-pin (YBGR) | 1.46 × 0.74 mm | 80 °C/W | Ultra-miniature wearables / implants |
The DGRR (8-pin WSON-HR) package is the most popular for prototyping and low-to-mid volume production because it balances PCB space with accessible soldering. DSBGA is recommended for final miniaturization where 1 mm² of board area is worth engineering effort. Verify your PCB manufacturer's minimum solder paste aperture before choosing DSBGA.
Switching Frequency and Inductor Selection
The TPS62841 operates at a fixed 4 MHz switching frequency in PWM mode and automatically transitions to power-save mode (PFM) at light loads to maintain ultra-low IQ. The 4 MHz frequency allows inductors as small as 1.0 µH, reducing BOM cost and PCB footprint.
Inductor selection guideline:
- Inductance: 1.0 µH (recommended) to 2.2 µH
- DCR: < 200 mΩ at 750 mA load (< 150 mΩ preferred)
- Saturation current: > 1.2 A (≥ 1.5× rated output for margin)
- Package: 2016 or 2520 shielded power inductor
A 1.0 µH/1.5 A/100 mΩ inductor (e.g., TDK SPM4012T-1R0M) in a 2.0×1.6 mm footprint is a typical companion. Do not exceed 2.2 µH—higher inductance reduces transient response at 4 MHz.
Enable Pin and Sequencing
The TPS62841DGRR includes a logic-level EN pin compatible with both 1.8 V and 3.3 V GPIOs, with a built-in 1 MΩ pull-down (default-off). This allows:
- Hard power gating: connect EN to MCU GPIO, drive low in deep sleep
- Sequencing: delay EN assertion via RC filter for controlled power-up order
- Default-off fail-safe: if MCU is unprogrammed, rail stays off
The soft-start time is 200 µs, suitable for most µC boot sequences. If you need longer ramp (e.g., to charge large bulk capacitors slowly), add a capacitor from EN to ground per the datasheet soft-start formula.
Recommended Products Comparison Table
| Product | VIN Range | IQ | IOUT | Package | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TPS62841DGRR | 1.8–6.5 V | 60 nA | 750 mA | WSON 2×2 mm | IoT nodes, LoRa, BLE |
| TPS62841DLCR | 1.8–6.5 V | 60 nA | 750 mA | VSON 3×3 mm | Prototyping, easier soldering |
| TPS62841YBGR | 1.8–6.5 V | 60 nA | 750 mA | DSBGA 6-pin | Ultra-miniature wearables |
| TPS62840DLCR | 1.8–6.5 V | 60 nA | 750 mA | VSON 3×3 mm | –40 °C to 125 °C industrial |
| TPS62840YBGR | 1.8–6.5 V | 60 nA | 750 mA | DSBGA 6-pin | Medical / implant miniaturization |
All five are available through FindMyChip's sourcing network. Request a quote to compare prices across 200+ verified distributors.
Selection Decision Flowchart
Use this decision tree to pick the right variant:
IQ requirement < 100 nA?
- Yes → TPS6284x family qualifies. Proceed.
- No → Standard LDO or higher-IQ buck may be simpler.
VIN range 1.8 V to 6.5 V?
- Yes → Proceed.
- No (higher VIN) → Consider TPS62933 (3 V–30 V) or similar.
IOUT peak ≤ 750 mA?
- Yes → TPS62841 sufficient.
- No (up to 2 A) → Consider TPS62842DGRR (2 A rated variant).
PCB area constraint?
- Ultra-small (< 2 mm²) → TPS62841YBGR (DSBGA)
- Moderate (2 × 2 mm) → TPS62841DGRR (WSON-HR) — most common
- No constraint → TPS62841DLCR (VSON, easiest soldering)
Extended industrial temperature (–40 °C to 125 °C) required?
- Yes, 3×3 mm package → TPS62840DLCR
- Yes, ultra-small → TPS62840YBGR
Application Examples
IoT Sensor Node (CR2032 coin cell): VIN = 3.0 V → 2.0 V, VOUT = 1.8 V @ 20 mA average, 120 mA LoRa burst. Use TPS62841DGRR with 1 µH / 1.5 A inductor, 2×22 µF output caps. Expected battery life > 3 years at 5-minute reporting intervals.
BLE Wearable (Li-ion 3.7 V): VIN = 4.2 V → 3.0 V, VOUT = 3.3 V @ 50 mA average. Use TPS62841YBGR (DSBGA) for minimum PCB area. Add 10 µF ceramic output capacitor.
Industrial Sensor (supply 5 V ±10 %): VIN = 4.5 V to 5.5 V, VOUT = 3.3 V @ 500 mA. Use TPS62840DLCR for VSON package with –40 °C to 125 °C rating.
FAQ
What is the output voltage range of the TPS62841DGRR? The TPS62841DGRR output voltage is set by an external resistor divider and covers 0.4 V to VIN. Typical applications target 1.8 V or 3.3 V output from a 3.7 V Li-ion supply. The 0.4 V reference allows powering ultra-low-voltage digital cores (e.g., 0.9 V ARM Cortex-M33) directly from a single Li-ion cell.
How does 60 nA IQ compare to competing buck converters? The TPS62841's 60 nA IQ is among the lowest in the industry for a synchronous buck converter. Competing solutions typically range from 300 nA (Texas Instruments TPS62740) to 2 µA (many standard PMICs). For a 220 mAh coin cell with a 10 µA active load and 1% duty cycle, the 60 nA vs. 600 nA difference extends battery life from approximately 2.4 years to over 3 years.
Can TPS62841 operate in always-on mode without going into PFM? Yes. A logic-high on the MODE/SYNC pin forces continuous conduction mode (CCM/PWM) regardless of load. This prevents PFM switching noise from interfering with sensitive analog or RF circuits. In always-on PWM mode, IQ rises to approximately 100 µA—significantly higher than PFM mode, so only enable forced PWM when EMI filtering is critical.
What inductance works best with TPS62841DGRR? Texas Instruments recommends 1.0 µH for the TPS62841DGRR in most applications, as the 4 MHz switching frequency minimizes inductor size while maintaining < 30 % peak-to-peak ripple current at 750 mA load. Using 2.2 µH is acceptable for lower output ripple at the cost of slightly degraded transient response. Avoid inductors below 0.8 µH, which increase peak switch current above the 1.1 A limit.
Where can I buy TPS62841DGRR at competitive prices? Use FindMyChip's search to compare real-time stock and pricing across 200+ verified distributors, including authorized TI partners and Shenzhen-based stocking distributors. FindMyChip applies a 5-point anti-counterfeit authentication process and offers 24-hour quote response for volume orders.
Conclusion
The TPS62841DGRR delivers best-in-class 60 nA quiescent current in a 2×2 mm package, making it the preferred step-down converter for coin-cell IoT devices, BLE wearables, and battery-backed sensor nodes. Its 1.8 V–6.5 V input range covers all common single-cell battery chemistries, and the 750 mA output handles typical IoT transient bursts without droop.
Selection summary:
- Standard IoT/LoRa node → TPS62841DGRR
- Miniature wearable → TPS62841YBGR
- Easier prototyping → TPS62841DLCR
- Higher current (2 A) → TPS62842DGRR
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