When designing electronic circuits, we've all come across situations where there is a need for slightly higher voltage than the power supply can provide. Often there is a need for 12V from a 9V battery or maybe your application requires 5V from a 3.7V lithium battery.

 

The solution is commonly known as a boost converter, which can convert low voltage DC to high voltage DC. As the name suggests, it takes an input voltage and boosts or increases it. It's made up of an inductor, a switch (probably a MOSFET), a diode, and a capacitor. It also requires a switching square wave that we can provide with a function generator or a 555 timer IC.

 

To increase the efficiency of the boost converter, there exists the Synchronous Boost Converter, in which the circuit construction stays the same but the diode is replaced by a MOSFET to reduce the loss. So, let us make this article an opportunity to find out some of the smallest, cheapest, and commonly used boost regulator ICs available in the market other than the popular MCP16252, NCP3064, MC34063A, etc. You can also check out how to select Linear regulator IC if you want to explore other regulators other than boost regulators. 

 

Basics of Boost Converter 

Before we take a look at the listing, let's clear out the basics first. If you want to get deep, you can check out the article on the introduction to Boost Converters.

 

The above figure shows you a basic boost converter circuit. To understand the working of a boost converter, you must know about how inductors, MOSFETs, diodes, and capacitors work. With that knowledge, we can go through the working of the boost converter step by step.

 

When the MOSFET is on, all the current flows through the MOSFET and the output becomes 0V, but the inductor is now charged, and it stores energy in the form of a magnetic field.

 

In the next cycle, the MOSFET is off, and now the collapsing magnetic field of the inductor charges the capacitor with the help of the Schottky diode, because of the sudden collapse of the magnetic field, the voltage stored in the capacitor is much greater than the input voltage.

 

The above two processes repeat many times with a variable duty cycle to make the output voltage constant. With the basics cleared out, let's look at some of the most commonly used boost regulator ICs.

 

Top 10 Modern Day Boost Regulator ICs

 

#10 – HT7733 by HOLTEK 100mA

 

The HT7733 is a very new, low-cost, single-chip, step-up (boost) regulator that has an input voltage range of 0.7V - 0.9V. With various package options, this IC is made for modern-day compact applications.

 

This IC comes only with fixed voltage variants, thus the output voltage cannot be adjusted, it comes with a maximum current rating of 100mA, so it's used for low power compact applications. Please refer to the datasheet of this IC for different voltage options. This IC has a fixed switching frequency of 115KHz. With that, this IC can achieve an efficiency of 80% (assuming limited load condition).

 

Other Features: Pulse frequency modulation (PFM) based driver circuit for low noise operation, Ultra-low supply current of 4uA, Low ripple and low noise, Low shutdown current: 0.5A & more.

 

Protection Features: Under-Voltage Lockout Protection, & Over-Temperature Protection.

 

Applications: PDA Driver, Portable communicators, Cameras, Battery-powered equipment & more.

 

Datasheet: HT77XX Datasheet

 

 #9– ME2188 by Microne

The ME2188 is a very modern, low cost, single-chip, step-up (boost) regulator, the input voltage range of this IC is 0.9V - 5V. With various package options, this IC is made for modern-day compact applications.

 

The output voltage of this IC can be adjusted to anywhere between 1.8V - 5V. With a low quiescent current of 13μA, this IC can handle currents up to 300mA.

 

This IC has a fixed switching frequency of 350KHz. With that, it can reach an efficiency of 90% (assuming limited load condition). With a maximum load of 300mA, the efficiency drops down to 75%

 

Other Features: Overvoltage, Transient Protection, Programmable UVLO Threshold.

 

Beware as this is a very cheap device, there is no built-in protection feature.

 

Applications: A power source for battery-powered equipment, the Power source for Wireless mouse, toys, Cameras, VCRs, PDAs, MP3, and Led lighting, etc.

 

Datasheet: ME2188 Datasheet

 

#8 – TPS610992 by Texas Instruments

The TPS610992 is a very modern, low-cost, single-chip, Synchronous step-up (boost) regulator, which has an input voltage range of 0.7V to 5.5V. With a 1.23 mm x 0.88 mm WCSP(6) package, this IC is made for ultra-compact applications.

 

The output voltage of this IC can be adjusted to anywhere between 1.8V - 5.5V. With a 0.25Ω internal power MOSFET, this regulator can handle currents up to 800mA continuously. Please refer to the datasheet of this IC for more details.

 

This IC has a fixed switching frequency of 120KHz. With that, this IC can reach an efficiency of 95% (assuming light load condition). With a maximum load of 800mA, the efficiency drops down to 74%.

 

Other Features: True Disconnection During Shutdown Mode, 1-µa Quiescent Current Under Light Load Condition, Additional Down Mode, and Pass-Through operations for different applications & more.

 

Protection Features: over-temperature protection & Over Voltage Protection.

 

Applications: Memory LCD Bias, Optical Heart Rate Monitor LED Bias, Wearable Applications, Battery-Powered Systems & portable products.

 

Datasheet: TPS610992 Datasheet

 

 #7 – MIC2295 by Microchip Technology

 

The MIC2295 is a very modern, low cost, single-chip, step-up (boost) regulator, the input voltage range of this IC is 2.5V - 10V. With a TSOT-23-5 & MLF package, this IC is made for compact applications.

 

The output voltage of this IC can be adjusted to anywhere between 2.5 - 36V. With a 10-mΩ or 0.010Ω internal power MOSFET, this regulator can handle output current up to 1.2A continuously. Please refer to the datasheet of this IC for more details.

 

This IC has a fixed switching frequency of 1.2MHz. With that, this IC can reach an efficiency of 85% (assuming light load condition). With a maximum load of 1.2A, the efficiency drops down to 74%.

 

Other Features: Reduced Ceramic Capacitor for cost-effective applications, Low input, and output ripple, <1µA shutdown current, Under Voltage Lockout & more.

 

Protection Features: output over-voltage protection, & over-temperature protection.

 

Applications: Output overvoltage protection, 3.3V to 5V/500mA conversion, TFT-LCD bias supplies, Positive and negative output regulators, SEPIC converters, digital cameras & portable products.

 

Datasheet: MIC2295 Datasheet

 

#6 – SE3608 by Allegro Seaward Electronics

The ME2188 is a very modern, low-cost, single-chip, step-up (boost) regulator, which has an input voltage range of 2.5V - 6V. With a SOP8 package, this IC is made for modern-day compact applications.

 

The output voltage of this IC can be adjusted to anywhere between 2.5 - 10V. With a 70-mΩ or 0.007Ω internal power MOSFET, this regulator can handle the output current of 2A continuously. Please refer to the datasheet of this IC for more details.

 

This IC has a fixed switching frequency of 1.2MHz. With that, this IC can reach an efficiency of 93% (assuming limited load condition). With a maximum load of 2A, the efficiency drops down to 85%.

 

Other Features: Internal Soft Start, 1uA Shutdown Current, Accurate Reference: 0.6V VREF & more.

 

Protection Features: Under-Voltage Lockout Protection, Over-Temperature Protection & Internal Soft Start.

 

Applications: A power source for battery-powered equipment, Li-Po Charger, Digital Cameras & Portable Products.

 

Datasheet: ME2188 Datasheet

 

#5 – XL6009 by XLSEMI

The XL6009 is in the market for a long time and without a doubt, the most generic Boost regulator used by the developers & hobbyist, it's a low cost, single-chip, step-up (boost) regulator which has an input voltage range of 5V - 32V. With a TO263-5L package, this IC is made for compact applications.

 

The output voltage of this IC can be adjusted to anywhere between 2.5 - 48V. With a 40-mΩ or 0.004Ω internal power MOSFET, this regulator can handle the output current of 4A continuously. Please refer to the datasheet of this IC for more details.

 

This IC has a fixed switching frequency of 400KHz. With that, this IC can achieve an efficiency of 92% (assuming light load condition). With a maximum load of 300mA, the efficiency drops down to 70%.

 

Other Features: EN Pin with TTL Shutdown Capability, Internal Optimize Power MOSFET, Built-In Frequency Compensation, Built-In Soft-start Function, Built-In Current Limit Function & More.

 

Protection Features: Built-In Thermal Shutdown Function, Built-In Current Limit Function & Reverse Polarity Protection.

 

Applications: As a power source for battery-powered equipment, li-po charger, Notebook Adapter & portable Electronic.

 

Datasheet: XL6009 Datasheet

 

 #4 – MC34167 by ON Semiconductor

 

The MC34167 is a very modern, low-cost, single-chip, configurable voltage regulator, which means it can be configured as a buck, boost, or inverting configuration. The input voltage range of this IC is 2.5V - 40V with a TO220 & D2PAK package, this IC is made for high power applications.

 

The output voltage of this IC can be adjusted anywhere between 1.5 - VIN. With a 0.08Ω internal power MOSFET, this regulator can handle an output current of 5A continuously. Please refer to the datasheet of this IC for more details.

 

This IC has a fixed switching frequency of 72 kHz. With that, this IC can reach an efficiency of 85% (assuming limited load condition). With a maximum load of 5A, the efficiency drops down to 65%.

 

Other Features: Internal Resistor for Fixed %V Output, Precision 2% Reference, 0% to 95% Output Duty Cycle, & 36uA Current Draw at Standby Mode.

 

Protection Features: Under-Voltage Lockout with Hysteresis, Cycle−by−Cycle Current Limiting & Internal Thermal Shutdown Protection.

 

Applications: A power source for battery-powered equipment, Li-Po Charger, Digital Cameras & High-Power Applications.

 

Datasheet: ME2159B Datasheet

 

#3 – TPS61088 by Texas Instruments

 

The TPS61088 is a very modern, single-chip, configurable boost regulator, which has an input voltage range of 2.7V - 12V. With a VQFN (20) package, this IC is made for Very high-power applications.

 

The output voltage of this IC can be adjusted to anywhere between 4.5 - 12V. With a 0.018Ω internal power MOSFET, this regulator can handle currents up to 7A continuously. Please refer to the datasheet of this IC for more details.

 

This IC has an adjustable switching frequency range of 200 kHz to 2.2 MHz With that, this IC can reach an efficiency of 90% (assuming limited load condition). With a maximum load of 7A, the efficiency drops down to 40%.

 

Other Features: Mode Selection Between PFM Mode and Forced PWM Mode at Light Load, 1.0 µA Current into VIN Pin during Shutdown, Resistor-Programmable Switch Peak Current Limit, Adjustable Switching Frequency: 200 kHz to 2.2 MHz, Programmable Soft Start.

 

Protection Features: Output Overvoltage Protection at 13.2 V, Cycle-by-Cycle Overcurrent Protection, Thermal Shutdown & more.

 

Applications: portable POS terminal, Li-Po Charger, Bluetooth Speaker, E-Cigarette, Thunderbolt Interface, Quick Charge Power Banks.

 

Datasheet: TPS61088 Datasheet

 

 #2 – MP3428A by Monolithic Power Systems

The MP342A is a very modern, single-chip, synchronous boost regulator, which has an input voltage range of 3V to 20V. With a QFN-22 package, this IC is made for very high-power applications.

 

The output voltage of this IC can be adjusted to anywhere between Vin - 22V. With a 0.010Ω external power MOSFET, this regulator can handle an output current of 10A continuously. Please refer to the datasheet of this IC for more details.

 

This IC has a fixed switching frequency of 690 kHz. With that, this IC can achieve an efficiency of 95% (assuming limited load condition). With a maximum load of 10A, the efficiency drops down to 60%.

 

Other Features: SDR Driver for Synchronous Solution,19A Internal Switch Current Limit or External Programmable Input Current Limit, Input Disconnect and Output SCP, External Soft Start, and Compensation for Higher Flexibility, Programmable UVLO and Hysteresis, < 1µA Shutdown Current & more.

 

Protection Features: Output Overvoltage Protection at 13.2 V, Cycle-by-Cycle Overcurrent Protection, Thermal Shutdown & more.

 

Applications: Thunderbolt Interface, Li-Po Charger, Notebooks and Tablets, Power Banks, Fuel Cells, POS Systems.

 

Datasheet: MP342A Datasheet

 

 #1 – LT8471 by Linear Technology

The LT8471 is a very modern, single-chip, synchronous boost regulator, which has an input voltage range of 2.6V - 50V. With a 20-Lead TSSOP and 28-Lead QFN Package, this IC is made for very dual power applications.

 

As this is a unique type of IC, it has two output channels, one can handle a maximum current of 2A, and the other one can handle a maximum current of 500mA. The 2A primary channels can be a buck, boost, sepic, zeta, flyback, or inverting dc/dc converter. The 500mA skyhook channel efficiently generates boosted input voltage. For both, the output channel voltage can be adjusted to 4.5V to 50V.

 

This IC can adjust its switching frequency to 1.55MHz - 2.0 MHz. With that, it can achieve an efficiency of 95% (assuming limited load condition). With a maximum load of 2A, the efficiency drops down to 75%.

 

Other Features: UVLO and OVLO Programmable on OV/UV Pin, Soft-Start Programmable for Each Channel, Fixed Frequency PWM (Set by RT Pin or Synchronized to External Clock), Anti-Phase Switching Reduces Input Ripple

 

Protection Features: Output Overvoltage Protection, Cycle-by-Cycle Overcurrent Protection, Thermal Shutdown & more.

 

Applications: Dual Rail Power for Signal Chain & Buck/Buck, Buck/Boost, Boost/Boost, Boost/Invert, Invert/Invert, Buck/Invert.

 

Datasheet: LT8471 Datasheet