April 20, 2009
Will this Boost Regulator Switch give me 9V from a 3.6V source?
I have a small 3.6V 400mAh battery that needs to power both a micro RC helicopter and a video camera. The video camera requires a 9V source, so I've been looking for a Boost Regulator Switch from the advice of an EE friend of mine. I'm an ME and my circuits skills aren't very great, but I still have a decent understanding. Basically, I found the TI boost converter PTN04050 (data sheet link at the end of this). On page 7 of the data sheet, it shows an application for boosting the output voltage using 2 100 microF capacitors and 4.53 kOhm resistor to get a 9V output.
I know that these things don't have 100% efficiency due to operating temperature, so the actual circuit will be placed into the system as far away from the motors as possible in an area that allows the most airflow too keep the temperature down.
So will this work or do I need something a bit more complicated? If anyone can help, I need something extremely lightweight and small.
Data Sheet: http://focus.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/ptn04050c.pdf
I can only use a single battery source due to the fact that the helicopter can lift only about 90g total.
And the helicopter isn't being used in a traditional sense, it's being used to make a hopping robot, so the helicopter will only be running for about 10% of the total time. As for the total run time, it only needs to run for a minute or two before a new battery is required.
I just need some sort of working prototype that I can show at an expo which is being judged by some of the most successful graduates of Georgia Tech.
This is way too big for your gizmo. It outputs 12W!
Start by detemining how much current your camera needs, and the min and max voltages it can use.
I would consider using a pair of charge pumps. Use one as a doubler, and one as an inverter. The camera would be connected to the inverter and doubler, not to the power or ground from the battery. These are good for up to 40mA:
http://www.national.com/ds/LM/LM2664.pdf
http://www.national.com/ds/LM/LM2664.pdf
You may be able to find a dual supply in a single package that will work.
To limit power consumption, I would not use a regulator. If regulation is needed, I would try to get a charge pump that has controls on the frequency to reduce the output voltage.
BTW, try the part selectors at Digikey, Mouser, Newark, and Allied Electronics to see what is available. Much easier than web searches and/or manufacturer websites. Be careful to read datasheets carefully. Many power supply chips are regulators for large supplies, and do not directly change the voltage.
Good luck!
Filed under Micro RC Helicopter by RC Heli Guy

Comments on Will this Boost Regulator Switch give me 9V from a 3.6V source? »
from me don't feed the cam and heli with single battery u mentioned above it can't support the load of both even u place a boost regulator.
References :
This is way too big for your gizmo. It outputs 12W!
Start by detemining how much current your camera needs, and the min and max voltages it can use.
I would consider using a pair of charge pumps. Use one as a doubler, and one as an inverter. The camera would be connected to the inverter and doubler, not to the power or ground from the battery. These are good for up to 40mA:
http://www.national.com/ds/LM/LM2664.pdf
http://www.national.com/ds/LM/LM2664.pdf
You may be able to find a dual supply in a single package that will work.
To limit power consumption, I would not use a regulator. If regulation is needed, I would try to get a charge pump that has controls on the frequency to reduce the output voltage.
BTW, try the part selectors at Digikey, Mouser, Newark, and Allied Electronics to see what is available. Much easier than web searches and/or manufacturer websites. Be careful to read datasheets carefully. Many power supply chips are regulators for large supplies, and do not directly change the voltage.
Good luck!
References :