Place 1MΩ pullup resistors from the main output to
ACO, LBO, and BKUP. Use a 1MΩ pullup resistor from 
MDRV to IN.
When not in backup mode, the backup regulator is isolated from the main output by an internal switch. When 
the MAX1774 is in backup mode, the main converter is 
disabled, and the output of the backup regulator is 
connected to the main output. The core converter is still 
operable while in backup mode. The backup step-up 
converter cannot drive the typical main load current. 
The load at main must be reduced before entering 
backup mode.
If BKUP is de-asserted (goes high), the MAX1774 exits 
backup mode and resumes operation from the main 
battery or the AC adapter input. If BKOFF goes low, or 
the backup battery discharges where it cannot sustain 
the main output load, the backup converter shuts off. 
To restart the main converter, apply power to VIN_ACor 
MAIN_BATT.
The backup converter uses an external Schottky diode 
and internal power NMOS switch. Since this converter 
shares the same output as the main buck converter, it 
shares the same feedback network. This automatically 
sets the backup converter output voltage to that of the 
main converter. The backup converter generates an 
output between +1.25V and +5.5V from a +0.9V to 
+5.5V input, and provides a load current up to 20mA. 
When the MAX1774 is in backup mode, the main current- sense circuit is turned off to conserve power.
When the output is out of regulation, the maximum 
inductor current limit and zero-current detectors regulate switching. The N-channel MOSFET is turned on 
until the maximum inductor current limit is reached, and 
shuts off until the inductor current reaches zero. When 
the output is within regulation, switching is controlled 
by the maximum pulse width, LXB, switch current limit, 
zero crossing, and the feedback voltage.
Internal Linear Regulators
There are two internal linear regulators in the MAX1774. 
A high-voltage linear regulator accepts inputs up to 
+28V, reducing it to +2.8V at CVL to provide power to 
the MAX1774. If the voltage at CS- is greater than 
+2.47V, CVL is switched to CS-, allowing it to be driven 
from the main converter, improving efficiency. CVL supplies the internal bias to the IC and power for the NDRV 
gate driver.
The CVH regulator output provides the low-side voltage 
for the main regulator’s PDRV output. The voltage at 
CVH is regulated at 4.2V below VINto limit the voltage 
swing on PDRV, reducing gate charge and improving 
efficiency (Figure 3).
Reference
The MAX1774 has a trimmed internal +1.25V reference 
at REF. REF can source no more than 50µA. Bypass 
REF to GND with a 0.22µF capacitor.
Design Procedure
Low-Voltage Configuration
To improve efficiency and conserve board space, the 
core regulator operates from low input voltages, taking 
advantage of internal low-voltage, low-on-resistance 
MOSFETs. When the input voltage remains below 5.5V, 
run the core converter directly from the input by connecting INC to IN (Figure 1). This configuration takes 
advantage of the core’s low-voltage design and 
improves efficiency. 
High-Voltage Configuration
For input voltages greater than 5.5V, cascade the main 
and core converters by connecting INC to the main output voltage (Figure 4). In this configuration, the core 
converter is powered from the main output. Ensure that 
the main output can simultaneously supply its load and 
the core input current.
Backup Converter Configuration
The MAX1774 provides a backup step-up converter to 
power the device and provide the main output voltage 
when other power fails. The backup converter operates 
from a +0.9V to +5.5V battery. For most rechargeable 
batteries, such as NiCd or NiMH, the simple circuit of 
Figure 5 can be used to recharge the backup battery. 
In this circuit, the backup battery is charged through 
R1 and D10. Consult the battery manufacturer for 
charging requirements. To prevent the backup battery 
from overdischarging, connect a resistive voltagedivider from the backup battery to BKOFF. Resistor values can be calculated through the following equation:
R12 = R13 ✕[(VBU/ V
BKOFF
) - 1]
where V
BKOFF
= 0.5V, and VBUis the minimum acceptable backup battery voltage. Choose R13 to be less 
than 150kΩ.
Setting the Output Voltages
The main output voltage is set from +1.25V and +5.5V 
with two external resistors connected as a voltagedivider to FBM (Figure 1). Resistor values can be calculated by the following equation:
R10 = R11 
✕
[(V
OUTM
/ V
FBM
) - 1]
where V
FBM
= +1.25V. Choose R11 to be 40kΩ or less.
The core regulator output is adjustable from +1.0V to 
+5.0V through two external resistors connected as a
MAX1774
Dual, High-Efficiency, Step-Down 
Converter with Backup Battery Switchover
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