TPS92515QDGQRQ1 - 42V 2A Automotive LED Driver | Texas Instruments
MPN: TPS92515QDGQRQ1 ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.42 | $3.42 |
| 10 | $3.08 | $30.80 |
| 100 | $2.74 | $274.00 |
| 500 | $2.42 | $1,210.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.18 | $2,180.00 |
TPS92515QDGQRQ1 Overview
What is a buck LED driver? A buck (step-down) LED driver is a switching DC-DC converter that regulates current through a string of LEDs by chopping the input voltage down to the LED forward voltage plus headroom. Buck LED drivers sit inside the broader hierarchy: LED driver -> lighting IC -> power management IC -> semiconductor. Compared with linear LED drivers they achieve much higher efficiency at large VIN-VOUT deltas, which is critical for automotive 12-V/24-V battery rails.
Key features include a 42-V absolute maximum input (4.5-V to 42-V operating range), 2-A continuous switch current, integrated 250-mOhm N-channel FET, high-side current sensing for ground-referenced LED cathodes, 100:1 analog dimming range, and 1000:1 PWM dimming range via an external shunt FET. Cycle-by-cycle current limit and thermal shutdown provide fault protection. According to TI's product page, the HVSSOP-10 PowerPAD delivers a junction-to-ambient thermal resistance of approximately 47 C/W on a standard JEDEC 4-layer board.
The TPS92515QDGQRQ1 uses peak-current-mode control with internal slope compensation to maintain stability across the full duty-cycle range. The high-side sense scheme eliminates the need for a ground-side shunt, simplifying PCB routing and improving efficiency by 2-5% versus low-side sense designs. The shunt-FET PWM dimming input permits >1 kHz dimming frequencies without audible noise.
Typical applications include automotive LED headlights, fog lamps, daytime running lights, rear combination lamps, and architectural or industrial lighting that requires AEC-Q100 reliability. The wide VIN range also supports industrial 24-V nominal bus systems.
When designing with this device, allocate at least 1 square cm of copper pour under the PowerPAD and use low-ESR ceramic input capacitors to handle the buck-switching ripple. Verify that the LED string forward voltage leaves sufficient headroom (typically >1.5 V) for current-sense accuracy at minimum VIN.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, AEC-Q100 cross-references, and drop-in alternatives compiled from TI's part details page and authorized distributor listings - context you will not find in the standalone datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for TPS92515QDGQRQ1 — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with TPS92515QDGQRQ1 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Dimming Method, Input Voltage Range, MSL Level, Topology.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
TPS92515QDGQTQ1
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
TPS92515QDGQR
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
TPS92515HVQDGQRQ1
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.86 / Unit
View Datasheet →TPS92515HVQDGQR
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
TPS92611QDGNRQ1
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
TPS92515QDGQRQ1 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Topology | Step-Down (Buck) |
| Input Voltage Range | 4.5 V to 42 V |
| Absolute Maximum Input Voltage | 42 V |
| Switch Current (Continuous) | 2 A |
| Integrated MOSFET | N-Channel FET (low Rdson) |
| Current Sensing | High-side |
| Dimming Method | Analog and Shunt-FET PWM |
| Number of Outputs | 1 |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +125 C |
| Package | 10-pin HVSSOP (DGQ) with PowerPAD |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | MSL2 (per TI product page) |
| AEC-Q100 Qualification | Grade 1 qualified (automotive) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Thermal Shutdown | Yes (internal) |
TPS92515QDGQRQ1 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | BOOT — Bootstrap capacitor for the internal high-side gate driver |
| Pin 2 | VIN — Input supply voltage (4.5 V to 42 V) |
| Pin 3 | EN — Enable input (active high); tie to VIN for always-on |
| Pin 4 | DIM/SYNC — PWM dimming input and synchronization |
| Pin 5 | GND — Analog ground |
| Pin 6 | CS — High-side current sense input |
| Pin 7 | IADJ — Analog dimming / current adjust |
| Pin 8 | COMP — Loop compensation node |
| Pin 9 | RT — Timing resistor for switching frequency |
| Pin 10 | SW — Switch node to external inductor |
| Pin 11 | PGND (PowerPAD) — Power ground exposed thermal pad (must be soldered) |
Typical Applications
TPS92515QDGQRQ1 is suitable for 6 applications: Automotive LED Headlamps, Daytime Running Lights (DRL), Rear Combination Lamps, Fog Lamps, Industrial 24-V LED Lighting, Architectural and Signage Lighting.
Automotive LED Headlamps
The TPS92515QDGQRQ1 is a strong fit for automotive LED headlamps where a single high-current LED string needs precise, AEC-Q100-qualified current regulation. Its 4.5-V to 42-V VIN range covers the full 12-V battery envelope including load-dump transients, while the integrated N-FET and high-side current sense eliminate the ground-side shunt and simplify PCB routing through the lamp housing. The 2-A switch current drives a single string of 1-W to 5-W headlamp LEDs at typical forward voltages of 6-15 V, leaving 2-3 V of headroom for current-sense accuracy. Shunt-FET PWM dimming supports turn-signal and adaptive driving beam modulation at >1 kHz without audible noise.
Recommended
Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
Daytime running lights need a compact, AEC-Q100-qualified driver that can hold brightness steady despite cold-crank dips and load-dump surges. The TPS92515QDGQRQ1's 4.5-V minimum VIN survives 6-V cold-crank events, while the 42-V absolute maximum absorbs 24-V load-dump without damage. Analog dimming via the IADJ pin lets the BCM ramp brightness between DRL and parking-lamp modes without changing the LED string. The HVSSOP-10 PowerPAD package fits inside the tight DRL lamp cavity, and 2-A switch current handles 1-W to 3-W LED strings typical of DRL modules.
Recommended
Rear Combination Lamps
Rear combination lamps (tail, brake, turn) need reliable current regulation and dual-mode dimming to switch between dim tail and bright brake/turn. The TPS92515QDGQRQ1 provides this via the shunt-FET PWM input, which can be driven by a BCM GPIO at 200-1000 Hz to flip between dim and bright states with no audible whine. AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualification and -40 C to +125 C operation guarantee stable brightness across underbody thermal swings. The high-side current sense simplifies the lamp PCB by removing the ground-side shunt return wire.
Recommended
Fog Lamps
Fog lamps sit close to the road and must survive water, salt, and thermal cycling - exactly the environment the AEC-Q100 Grade 1 TPS92515QDGQRQ1 was qualified for. The integrated N-FET and high-side sense minimize the BOM count, which improves long-term reliability in a sealed lamp housing. 2-A switch current supports the brighter 1-W to 5-W LED strings now common in modern fog-lamp designs. The HVSSOP-10 PowerPAD's low thermal resistance keeps junction temperature below 150 C even at 1 A continuous LED current.
Recommended
Industrial 24-V LED Lighting
Industrial 24-V nominal LED lighting systems - machine-vision illuminators, conveyor markers, and panel backlights - benefit from the TPS92515QDGQRQ1's wide VIN range and integrated switch. Designers can run a 24-V bus directly into the driver without a pre-regulator, and the 42-V maximum tolerates transient spikes from motor drives nearby. The HVSSOP-10 footprint is footprint-compatible with the industrial TPS92515QDGQR for designs not requiring AEC-Q100, enabling a single PCB layout that serves both markets.
Recommended
Architectural and Signage Lighting
Architectural and signage LED strings often need long cable runs between the driver and the LED modules, exposing the driver to inductive transients on the input. The TPS92515QDGQRQ1's 42-V maximum and internal cycle-by-cycle current limit protect against these events. PWM dimming supports DALI or 0-10 V brightness control via an external MCU driving the DIM pin. The 10-pin HVSSOP package fits inside slim aluminum extrusions used in linear architectural fixtures.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for TPS92515QDGQRQ1 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | TPS92515QDGQTQ1 | TPS92515QDGQR | TPS92515HVQDGQRQ1 | TPS92515HVQDGQR | TPS92611QDGNRQ1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments |
| Package | 10-pin HVSSOP (DGQ) PowerPAD | 10-pin HVSSOP (DGQ) PowerPAD - same | 10-pin HVSSOP (DGQ) PowerPAD - same | 10-pin HVSSOP (DGQ) PowerPAD - same | 10-pin HVSSOP (DGQ) PowerPAD - same | 8-pin HTSSOP (DGN) PowerPAD |
| Input Voltage Range | 4.5 V to 42 V | 4.5 V to 42 V | 4.5 V to 42 V | 4.5 V to 65 V | 4.5 V to 65 V | 4.5 V to 40 V |
| AEC-Q100 Grade | Grade 1 | Grade 1 | Industrial (no AEC-Q100) | Grade 1 | Industrial (no AEC-Q100) | Grade 1 |
| Current Sense Topology | High-side | High-side | High-side | High-side | High-side | Multi-channel high-side |
| PWM Dimming | Yes (shunt FET) | Yes (shunt FET) | Yes (shunt FET) | Yes (shunt FET) | Yes (shunt FET) | Yes (per-channel) |
| Integrated MOSFET | Yes (N-FET) | Yes (N-FET) | Yes (N-FET) | Yes (N-FET) | Yes (N-FET) | Yes |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +125 C |
| RoHS Status | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant |
Key Differentiators
- High-side current sense eliminates ground-side shunt wiring (vs TPS92515QDGQTQ1)
- AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualification for under-hood thermal stress (vs TPS92515QDGQR)
- Shunt-FET PWM dimming without audible noise (vs TPS92611QDGNRQ1)
Design Notes
Solder the exposed PowerPAD (PGND) to at least 1 square cm of continuous copper pour on the top and bottom layers, stitched with thermal vias. The HVSSOP-10 PowerPAD's theta_JA on a JEDEC 4-layer board is approximately 47 C/W. Estimated: at VIN=12 V, VOUT=9 V (3-LED string), and 1 A LED current, dissipation is ~3 W, producing a 141 C junction rise over 25 C ambient - well within the 150 C thermal shutdown limit. Above 1.3 A continuous, add a copper heat spreader under the lamp housing.
Keep the buck inductor, input capacitor, and SW trace as short as possible to minimize ringing. Place the input ceramic capacitor (>= 4.7 uF X7R 50 V) within 3 mm of the VIN pin and the BOOT capacitor (>= 0.1 uF) directly between BOOT and SW. Route the CS trace as a Kelvin pair to the high-side sense resistor to avoid ground-loop errors that would otherwise show up as LED current ripple at 100 Hz.
Do not leave the EN pin floating - tie it to VIN through a 100 kohm resistor if not driven by a logic signal. Leaving DIM/SYNC floating disables PWM dimming but does not shut down the LED current; if PWM shutdown is desired, drive DIM low with an open-drain FET. Verify the LED string forward voltage leaves at least 1.5 V of headroom above CS threshold at the minimum VIN to maintain regulation through cold-crank dips.
Compliance Information
AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualified per TI product page. RoHS and REACH compliant per distributor listings. Lead-free and halogen-free per TI material declaration.
