Positive output step-up and step-down dc-dc converters have a common limitation in that neither can handle input voltages that are both greater than or less than the output. For example, when converting a 12-V sealed lead/acid battery to a regulated +12 V output, the battery voltage might vary from a high of 15 V down to 10 V.
By using a MAX641 to drive separate P-and N-cbannel MOSFETs, both ends of the inductor are switched to allow noninverting buck/boost operation. A second advantage of the circuit over most boostonly designs is that the output goes to 0 V when shutdown is activated. Inefficiency is a drawback because two MOSFETs and two diodes increase the losses in the charge and discharge path of the inductor. The circuit delivers +12 V at 100 mA at 70 percent efficiency with an 8-V input.
Step up Down DC - DC Converter Circuit Diagram
