The U3V16Fx family of boost (step-up) voltage regulators generate higher output voltages from input voltages as low as 1.3 V. (Note: The minimum start-up voltage is 2.7 V.) They are switching regulators (also called switched-mode power supplies (SMPS) or DC-to-DC converters) and have a typical efficiency between 85% to 95%.
The regulators actively limit the instantaneous input currents to 2 A when boosting, and input currents up to around 1.6 A can typically be maintained for many minutes without triggering thermal shutdown, though the actual performance depends on the input and output voltages as well as external factors such as ambient temperature and airflow. For boost regulators, the output current equals the input current times the efficiency divided by the boost ratio of VOUT to VIN, so the more you are boosting, the lower the maximum output current will be.
These regulators feature a variety of built-in protections, including cycle-by-cycle input current limiting, under-voltage lockout, and over-temperature shutdown.
Warning: This boost regulator uses the typical topology that connects the input to the output through an inductor and diode, with nothing to completely break that current path. Therefore, the input voltage will go through to the output even when the regulator is disabled, and exposure to short circuits or other excessive loads will damage the regulator. This regulator also does not have protection against reverse voltage.
- Output voltage: 5 V with 4% accuracy
- Input voltage: 1.3 V to 16 V (Note: minimum start-up voltage is 2.7 V)
- Typical efficiency of 85% to 95%, depending on input voltage, output voltage, and load
- Switching frequency: ~1.2 MHz under heavy loads
- Power-save mode that increases light load efficiency by reducing switching frequency
- Typical no-load quiescent currents under 1 mA
- 2 A switch current limit
- Typical continuous input currents up to around 1.6 A
- Tolerates input voltage above output set voltage (output will track input)
- Integrated protections:
- Over-temperature shutdown
- Soft-start feature limits inrush current and gradually ramps output voltage
- Under-voltage lockout
- Compact size: 0.515″ × 0.32″ × 0.1″ (13.1 × 8.1 × 3 mm)
- Weight: 0.4 g
File downloads
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Dimension diagram of the U3V16x Step-Up Voltage Regulators (286k pdf)
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3D model of the U3V16x Step-Up Voltage Regulators (3MB step)
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Drill guide for the U3V16x Step-Up Voltage Regulators (10k dxf)
This DXF drawing shows the locations of all of the board’s holes.