Microchip Technology's MCP125x family of positively regulated charge pump dc-dc converters automatically switch between 1.5x and 2x boost operation to achieve high efficiency. These fractional charge pumps, the MCP1256, MCP1257, MCP1258 and MCP1259, are low power devices targeting dual-cell alkaline, Ni-Cd, Ni-MH, single-cell Mn02 and similar coin-cell battery systems.
These devices provide a low-cost alternative in the high efficiency, low-power and low-noise charge pump category. At light output loads, the MCP1256 and MCP1257 can be placed in "sleep" mode, where quiescent current is lowered but regulated output voltage stays the same. Additionally, the MCP1258 and MCP1259 devices provide a bypass feature that connects the input voltage to the output, which biases the system's real-time clock and microprocessor/microcontroller with virtually no power drain from the charge pump itself. All of the MCP125x devices have a low-noise output ripple of less than 20 mVpp at load currents up to 100 mA, resulting in less system interference and better overall performance.
To help engineers evaluate and demonstrate the MCP125X charge pump dc-dc converters, Microchip offers the MCP1256/7/8/9EV, an evaluation board for the devices, priced at $35. Pricing for the MCP1256, MCP1257, MCP1258 and MCP1259 charge pump converters is $1.49 each in 10,000-unit quantities for all devices and package options. The devices are available in 10-pin MSOP or thermally capable DFN (3-mm x 3-mm) packages.
