Detailed Description
The MAX1832–MAX1835 compact, high-efficiency 
step-up converters feature 4µA quiescent supply current to ensure the highest possible efficiency over a 
wide load range. With a minimum +1.5V input voltage, 
these devices are well suited for applications with two 
alkaline cells, two nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) cells, or 
one lithium ion (Li+) cell. For the MAX1832 and 
MAX1833, the battery is connected to OUT through the 
inductor and an internal PFET when SHDN is low. This 
allows the input battery to be used as a backup or realtime clock supply when the converter is off by eliminating the voltage drop across the PFET body diode.
The MAX1832–MAX1835 are ideal for low-power applications where ultra-small size is critical. These devices 
feature built-in synchronous rectification that significantly improves efficiency and reduces size and cost 
by eliminating the need for an external Schottky diode. 
Furthermore, these devices are the industry’s first boost 
regulators to offer complete reverse battery protection. 
This proprietary design protects the battery, IC, and the 
circuitry powered by the IC in the event the input batteries are connected backwards.
Control Scheme
A current-limited control scheme is a key feature of the 
MAX1832–MAX1835. This scheme provides ultra-low 
quiescent current and high efficiency over a wide output current range. There is no oscillator. The inductor 
current is limited by the 0.5A N-channel current limit or 
by the 5µs switch maximum on-time. Following each 
on-cycle, the inductor current must ramp to zero before 
another cycle may start. When the error comparator 
senses that the output has fallen below the regulation 
threshold, another cycle begins.
An internal synchronous rectifier eliminates the need for 
an external Schottky diode reducing cost and board 
space. While the inductor discharges, the P-channel 
MOSFET turns on and shunts the MOSFET body diode. 
As a result, the rectifier voltage drop is significantly 
reduced, improving efficiency without adding external 
components.
Reverse Battery Protection
The MAX1832–MAX1835 have a unique proprietary 
design that protects the battery, IC, and circuitry powered by the IC in the event that the input batteries are 
connected backwards. When the batteries are connected correctly, the reverse battery protection N-channel 
MOSFET is on and the device operates normally. 
When the batteries are connected backwards, the
reverse battery protection N-channel MOSFET opens, 
protecting the device and load (Figures 2 and 3). 
Previously, this level of protection required additional 
circuitry and reduced efficiency due to added components in the battery current path.
Applications Information
Shutdown
When SHDN is low, the device is off and no current is 
drawn from the battery. When SHDN is high, the device 
is on. If SHDN is driven from a logic-level output, the 
logic high (on) level should be referenced to V
OUT
to
avoid intermittent turn on. If SHDN is not used at all, 
connect it to OUT. With SHDN connected to OUT, the 
MAX1834/MAX1835 startup voltage (1.65V) is slightly 
higher, due to the voltage across the PFET body diode. 
The SHDN pin has reverse battery protection.
In shutdown, the MAX1832/MAX1833 connect the battery input to the output through the inductor and the 
internal synchronous rectifier PFET. This allows the 
input battery (rather than a separate backup battery) to 
provide backup power for devices such as an idled 
microcontroller, SRAM, or real-time clock, without the 
usual diode forward drop. If the output has a residual 
voltage during shutdown, a small amount of energy will 
be transfered from the output back to the input immediately after shutdown. This energy transfer may cause a 
slight momemntary “bump” in the input voltage. The 
magnitude and duration of the input bump are related 
to the ratio of C
IN
and C
OUT
and the ability of the input 
to sink current. With battery input sources, the bump 
will be negligible, but with power-supply inputs (that 
typically cannot sink current), the bump may be 100s of 
mV.
In shutdown, the MAX1834/MAX1835 do not turn on the 
internal PFET and thus do not have an output-to-input 
current path in shutdown. This allows a separate backup battery, such as a Li+ cell, to be diode-connected at 
the output, without leakage current flowing to the input. 
The MAX1834/MAX1835 still have the typical input-tooutput current path from the battery to the output, 
through the PFET body diode, in shutdown.
Low-Battery Cutoff
The SHDN trip threshold of the MAX1832–MAX1835 
can be used as a voltage detector, with a resistordivider, to power down the IC when the battery voltage 
falls to a set level (Figure 1). The SHDN trip threshold is
1.228V. To use a resistor-divider to set the shutdown 
voltage, select a value for R3 in the 100kΩ to 1MΩ
MAX1832–MAX1835
High-Efficiency Step-Up Converters with
Reverse Battery Protection in SOT23-6
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