The MAX1771 step-up switching controller provides 90% efficiency over a 30mA to 2A load. A unique current-limited pulse-frequency-modulation (PFM) control scheme gives this device the benefits of pulse-widthmodulation (PWM) converters (high efficiency at heavy loads), while using less than 110A of supply current (vs. 2mA to 10mA for PWM converters). This controller uses miniature external components. Its high switching frequency (up to 300kHz) allows surface-mount magnetics of 5mm height and 9mm diameter. It accepts input voltages from 2V to 16.5V. The output voltage is preset at 12V, or can be adjusted using two resistors.