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Compact Switching Step-Down Converter By MAX639
Switch-mode power supplies are used in electronic circuits to increase (step up) or reduce (step down) voltage levels in the most efficient manner possible. Compared to linear voltage regulators, switch-mode supplies convert relatively little energy into heat. Their efficiency is thus high. This is a major advantage with compact power supplies in particular, since it sometimes makes forced-air cooling unnecessary. Building a switch-mode supply is considerably easier if you use components that have been specially developed for this application. One example of such an integrated step-down converter is the Maxim MAX639.