Fixed 3.3V boost converter for single-cell portable designs
The Texas Instruments TPS61261DRVT is a step-up (boost) DC-DC converter with a fixed 3.3V output, delivering up to 100mA from an input voltage range of 0.8V to 4V. It integrates a synchronous rectifier, which improves efficiency at light loads compared to a diode-based boost — a meaningful difference when the load current varies widely, as it does in battery-powered sensor nodes. The 2.5MHz switching frequency lets the designer use small, low-profile inductors and ceramic capacitors, keeping the total solution area under 10 mm² in many layouts.
100mA output — sizing the load budget
The 100mA output current ceiling sets the load budget for the downstream circuitry. The input voltage range from 0.8V (minimum) to 4V (maximum) covers a single Li-ion cell from its end-of-discharge voltage (~2.7V) down to near-dead alkaline cells. The 0.8V minimum allows the converter to start up and regulate even when the battery is deeply discharged.
6-WSON package and thermal management
The small footprint suits space-constrained designs like wearables, IoT edge nodes, and portable medical devices.
For current designs, this means no forced redesign due to obsolescence in the near term. For new designs, it is a low-risk choice for the boost converter function.