Pololu TPS2113A Power Multiplexer Carrier with USB

The Texas Instruments TPS2113A autoswitching power multiplexer allows you to switch seamlessly between two power sources of 2.8 V to 5.5 V while blocking reverse current into either source. The power multiplexer (or mux) has an adjustable current limit that can be set as high as 2 A and an adjustable switching threshold that helps reduce output voltage droop when switching. Each input channel is controlled by an internal MOSFET switch, so the mux avoids the voltage drop that occurs when diodes are used to OR multiple power supplies together.

The TPS2113A makes a great addition to any project that needs to be able to transition between two sources like USB and external power, but its small size makes it difficult for a student or hobbyist to use. This carrier breaks out all of the chip’s features to 0.1″-spaced pins, making it easy to use with standard solderless breadboards. In addition, the board serves as a breakout for a USB Micro-B connector that can be used to supply one of the input power rails.

By default, the TPS2113A operates in autoswitching mode, which means that it will automatically select the source that has a higher voltage, but the VSNS pin can be used to maintain IN1 as the selected source until it falls below a configurable switching threshold, making IN1 the primary or preferred source. The board ships with USB power connected to IN1, which enables the common application of having a device that can be powered by USB or an external power supply, automatically choosing the appropriate source based on what is connected. USB power can be switched from IN1 to IN2 by cutting a trace and configuring a surface-mount jumper.

Since this board is a carrier for the TPS2113A, we recommend careful reading of the TPS2113A datasheet (1MB pdf).