© 2010 Semtech Corporation
POWER MANAGEMENT
1
SC121
Low Voltage Synchronous
Boost Regulator
Features
Input voltage — 0.7V to 4.5V
Minimum start-up voltage — 0.85V
Output voltage — xed at 3.3V; adjustable from 1.8V
to 5.0V
Peak input current limit — 1.2A
Output current at 3.3 V
OUT
—
80mA with V
IN
= 1.0V,
190mA with V
IN
= 1.5V
Forced PWM operation at all loads
E ciency up to 94%
Internal synchronous recti er
No forward conduction path during shutdown
Switching frequency — 1.2MHz
Soft-start startup current limiting
Shutdown current — 0.1µA (typ)
Ultra-thin 1.5 × 2.0 × 0.6 (mm) MLPD-UT-6 package
Lead-free and halogen-free
WEEE and RoHS compliant
Applications
MP3 players
Smart phones and cellular phones
Palmtop computers and handheld instruments
PCMCIA cards and memory cards
Digital cordless phones
Personal medical products
Wireless VoIP phones
Small motors
Description
The SC121 is a high efficiency, low noise, synchronous
step-up DC-DC converter that provides boosted voltage
levels in low-voltage handheld applications. The wide
input voltage range allows use in systems with single
NiMH or alkaline battery cells as well as in systems with
higher voltage battery supplies. It features an internal
1.2A switch and synchronous recti er to achieve up to
94% e ciency and to eliminate the need for an external
Schottky diode. The output voltage can be set to 3.3V
with internal feedback, or to any voltage within the speci-
ed range using a standard resistor divider.
The SC121 operates exclusively in Pulse Width Modulation
(PWM) mode for low ripple and xed-frequency switching.
Output disconnect capability is included to reduce leakage
current, improve e ciency, and eliminate external com-
ponents sometimes needed to disconnect the load from
the supply during shutdown.
Low quiescent current is maintained with a high 1.2MHz
operating frequency. Small external components and the
space saving MLPD-UT-6, 1.5×2.0×0.6 (mm) package
make this device an excellent choice for small handheld
applications that require the longest possible battery life.
L1
C
IN
3.3V
Single
Cell
(1.2V)
IN
OUT
LX
EN
FB
SC121
C
OUT
GND
Typical Application Circuit
April 13, 2010