19-0204; Rev 1; 5/94
5 V/3 .3 V/3 V/Ad ju s t a b le -Ou t p u t ,
S t e p -Up /S t e p -Do w n DC-DC Co n ve rt e rs
/MAX879
_______________Ge n e ra l De s c rip t io n
____________________________Fe a t u re s
♦ Regulates from Inputs Above & Below the Output
♦ 1V to 6.2V Supply-Voltage Range
The MAX877/MAX878/MAX879 are pulse-skipping, step-
up/step-down DC-DC converters that provide a regulated
output from inputs both above and below the output. They
require only three external components—an inductor
(typically 22µH) and two filter capacitors.
♦ Internal 1A Active Rectifier with Input-to-Output
Disconnect in Shutdown
The MAX877 delivers a regulated 5V output from 2.5V to
6.2V inputs. The MAX878 generates pin-selectable volt-
ages of 3.0V or 3.3V from 1.5V to 6.2V inputs. The MAX879
output can be adjusted from 2.5V to 6V via an external
resistor divider from 2.5V to 6.2V inputs.
♦ Up to 210mA Load Currents, Guaranteed
♦ 85% Efficiency
♦ Only 3 External Components
♦ Adjustable Current Limit
A unique high-power, internal, synchronous rectifier design
(Active Rectifier™) enables the devices to regulate in a
switched linear mode if the input voltage is higher than the
desired output voltage. When the input voltage falls below
the output voltage, the MAX877/MAX878/MAX879 will
smoothly switch into a pulse-skipping boost mode and
step up from input voltages as low as 1V. In shutdown, the
active rectifier disconnects the output from the source. This
stops the current drain from input to output associated with
conventional step-up converters.
♦ 195µA Quiescent Supply Current
♦ 20µA Shutdown Supply Current
♦ 3V/3.3V/5V and Adjustable Output Voltage Versions
♦ Available in 8-Pin DIP and SO Packages
______________Ord e rin g In fo rm a t io n
PART
TEMP. RANGE
0°C to +70°C
PIN-PACKAGE
8 Plastic DIP
8 SO
High-frequency operation (up to 300kHz) allows the use of
small surface-mount inductors. Supply current is 195µA
under no load, and only 20µA in shutdown mode. For 1-cell
(1V) step-up converters with similar performance and the
same pinout, refer to the MAX777/MAX778/MAX779 data
sheet.
MAX877CPA
MAX877CSA
MAX877C/D
MAX877EPA
MAX877ESA
MAX877MJA
0°C to +70°C
0°C to +70°C
Dice*
-40°C to +85°C
-40°C to +85°C
-55°C to +125°C
8 Plastic DIP
8 SO
________________________Ap p lic a t io n s
Two or Three NiCd Cells to 3V/3.3V Conversion
Three or Four Alkaline Cells to 5V Conversion
One Lithium Cell to 3V/3.3V Conversion
Pagers
8 CERDIP
Ordering Information continued on last page.
* Contact factory for dice specifications.
__________Typ ic a l Op e ra t in g Circ u it
Palmtop and Notebook Computers
Battery-Powered and Hand-Held Instruments
INPUT
1.8V TO 6.2V
__________________P in Co n fig u ra t io n
TOP VIEW
2
22µF
22µH
IN
5
6
1
7
*
MAX878
ILIM
SHDN
LX
ILIM
IN
1
2
3
4
8
7
6
5
N.C. (MAX877)
OUTPUT
3.3V
SHDN
210mA
MAX877
MAX878
MAX879
ON/OFF
OUT
AGND
PGND
OUT
100µF
LX
SEL
8
AGND
3
PGND
4
DIP/SO
* SEL (MAX878), FB (MAX879)
™ Active Rectifier is a trademark of Maxim Integrated Products.
________________________________________________________________ Maxim Integrated Products
1
Ca ll t o ll fre e 1 -8 0 0 -9 9 8 -8 8 0 0 fo r fre e s a m p le s o r lit e ra t u re .