1A, 97% Efficiency, 30µA Quiescent Current
Step-Up Converter with True Shutdown

General Description
The MAX8815A DC-DC step-up converter is a high-effi-
ciency, low quiescent current, synchronous step-up
converter with True Shutdown™ and inrush-current lim-
iting. The MAX8815A generates any output voltage
from 3.3V to 5V from a 2-cell NiMH/NiCd or a single-cell
Li+/Li polymer battery.
The MAX8815A uses two modes of operation. The first
mode of operation (normal) uses only 30µA (typ) quies-
cent current and allows the converter to switch only
when needed at no load and light loads. Under moder-
ate and heavy loads (typically above 90mA), the
MAX8815A uses a fixed-frequency pulse-width modula-
tion (PWM) technique. This mode allows maximum effi-
ciency at light loads. The second mode of operation is
a fixed-frequency forced-pulse-width modulation
(FPWM) mode where the converter switches at a fixed
frequency irrespective of the load. This mode allows for
easy noise filtering and lower output ripple.
The MAX8815A has a preset 2.5A current limit, allowing
500mA load at 1.8V input and 1A load at 2.5V input when
the output is set to 5V. Features include soft-start, which
limits inrush current during startup, True Shutdown, and
internal compensation. The MAX8815A is available in a
compact 10-pin, 3mm x 3mm TDFN package.
The MAX8815A evaluation kit can help shorten the time
required for system design.

Applications
DSC and DVC
Microprocessor/DSP Core Power
Cell Phones, PDAs, MP3 Players
Portable Handheld Devices
PCMCIA Cards

Features
♦ Up to 97% Efficiency with Internal Synchronous
Rectifier
♦ Low 30µA Quiescent Current
♦ Guaranteed 500mA Output Current at VOUT = 5V
from 1.8V Input
♦ Guaranteed 1A Output Current at 5V from 2.5V
Input
♦ Low-Noise Constant Frequency Operation (FPWM
Mode)
♦ 2MHz PWM Switching Frequency
♦ Preset (5V) or Adjustable Output
♦ Controlled Current in Soft-Start Limits Inrush
Current
♦ True Shutdown
♦ Internal Compensation
♦ Overload/Short-Circuit Protection
♦ 0.1µA Shutdown Current
♦ Thermal Shutdown
♦ Compact 10-Pin, 3mm x 3mm TDFN Package