The MAX1612/MAX1613 manage the bridge battery (sometimes called a hot-swap or auxiliary battery) in portable systems such as notebook computers. They feature a step-up DC-DC converter that boosts 2-cell or 3-cell bridge-battery voltages up to the same level as the main battery. This voltage boosting technique reduces the number of cells otherwise required for a 6cell plus diode-OR bridging scheme, reducing overall size and cost. Another key feature is a trickle-charge timer that minimizes battery damage caused by constant charging and eliminates trickle-charge current drain on the main battery once the bridge battery is topped off.