5Vout from 3-9Vin, cheap alternative to LTC1515?

CuriousOne

Many have situation, you have to make a device, which will work from wide range of power supplies, starting from 2 AA ending with 9V battery. Most digital tech needs 5V, so converter is necessary. A lot of devices consumes less than 50mA. There are several ways of solving this:

1. SEPIC - need dual coiled inductor, less effective on lower currents, large footprint.
2. Charge pump step-up + LDO. Large footprint, bad efficiency.
3. Specific IC's like LTC1515. They are great but quite expensive: http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en?k=LTC1515&mnonly=0&newproducts=0&ColumnSort=0&page=1&stock=1&quantity=0&ptm=0&fid=0&pageSize=25

So maybe there's some less know TW/CN IC manufacturer with similar spec IC, but for lower prices?

Zoot

This breakoutboard, for example, is 1A 5v out, 2.7v-11.8v in, and is cheaper ready-made than just the IC you referenced above. You may not want a breakout board with supporting circuitry, of course. You could check out what chip they're using to design-in your own supply, or if you are looking at bulk, you might be able to work out some custom specs w/them for something ready to drop in.

http://www.pololu.com/product/2123

CuriousOne

Yes their chip has interesting marking, will try to figure out mfg.