Low-Noise Step-Up DC-DC Converters
IN
SKIP
COMPARATOR
4μA
SHDN
BIAS
SOFT-
START
SKIP
SS
COMP
FB
ERROR
AMPLIFIER
ERROR
COMPARATOR
LX
∞
CONTROL
AND DRIVER
LOGIC
N
1.24V
CLOCK
GND
SLOPE
COMPEN-
SATION
CURRENT
SENSE
FREQ
OSCILLATOR
Σ
5μA
MAX1790
MAX8715
Figure 2. Functional Diagram
after the soft-start cycle is completed. When the shut-
down pin is taken low, the soft-start capacitor is
discharged to ground.
Output-Current Capability
The output-current capability of the MAX1790/MAX8715
is a function of current limit, input voltage, operating fre-
quency, and inductor value. Because of the slope com-
pensation used to stabilize the feedback loop, the duty
cycle affects the current limit. The output-current capa-
bility is governed by the following equation:
Frequency Selection
The MAX1790/MAX8715s’ frequency can be user
selected to operate at either 640kHz or 1.2MHz.
Connect FREQ to GND for 640kHz operation. For a
1.2MHz switching frequency, connect FREQ to IN. This
allows the use of small, minimum-height external com-
ponents while maintaining low output noise. FREQ has
an internal pulldown, allowing the user the option of
leaving FREQ unconnected for 640kHz operation.
I
= [I
IN
x (1.26 - 0.4 x Duty) -
LIM
OSC
OUT(MAX)
0.5 x Duty x V / (f
x L)] x η x V / V
IN OUT
where:
I
= current limit specified at 65% (see the Electrical
LIM
Characteristics)
Duty = duty cycle = (V
- V + V
IN
) /
Shutdown
The MAX1790/MAX8715 are shut down to reduce the
supply current to 0.1µA when SHDN is low. In this
mode, the internal reference, error amplifier, compara-
tors, and biasing circuitry turn off while the n-channel
MOSFET is turned off. The boost converter’s output is
connected to IN by the external inductor and catch
diode.
OUT
DIODE
)
(V
- I
x R
+ V
OUT LIM
ON
DIODE
V
= catch diode forward voltage at I
LIM
DIODE
η = conversion efficiency, 85% nominal
Soft-Start
The MAX1790/MAX8715 can be programmed for soft-
start upon power-up with an external capacitor. When the
shutdown pin is taken high, the soft-start capacitor (C
)
SS
Applications Information
is immediately charged to 0.5V. Then the capacitor is
charged at a constant current of 4µA (typ). During this
time, the SS voltage directly controls the peak inductor
Boost DC-DC converters using the MAX1790/MAX8715
can be designed by performing simple calculations for
a first iteration. All designs should be prototyped and
tested prior to production. Table 1 provides a list of
current, allowing 0A at V = 0.5V to the full current limit
SS
at V = 1.5V. The maximum load current is available
SS
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9
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