Boost regulator with synchronous rectification for battery-powered designs
The MAX1676EUB+: It integrates a synchronous rectifier, which replaces the external Schottky diode used in traditional boost converters, improving efficiency by 3-5% at light loads and reducing the external BOM count to just an inductor, input/output capacitors, and feedback resistors. The switching frequency is limited to 500 Hz — an order of magnitude lower than typical modern boost converters — which means the external inductor and output capacitor will be physically larger (typically 10-47 µH and 22-100 µF) but the converter achieves higher efficiency at low output currents because switching losses are negligible.
Input range and output flexibility
The single-output positive configuration delivers up to 360 mA continuous (750 mA peak switch current) — the actual achievable output current depends on the input-to-output voltage ratio and inductor selection; for a 3.3 V output from a 1.5 V input, expect roughly 150-200 mA continuous with a 10 µH inductor.
Package and board integration
Supplied in Tube packaging — not tape-and-reel — so it is suited for prototype builds and low-volume production; for high-volume pick-and-place, request the tape-and-reel variant (MAX1676EUB+T) if available.