The TPS6040x family of devices generates an unregulated negative output voltage from an input voltage ranging from 1.6 V to 5.5 V. The devices are typically supplied by a preregulated supply rail of 5 V or 3.3 V. Due to its wide input voltage range, two or three NiCd, NiMH, or alkaline battery cells, as well as one Li-Ion cell can also power them. Only three external 1-µF capacitors are required to build a complete DC-DC charge pump inverter. Assembled in a 5-pin SOT-23 package, the complete converter can be built on a 50-mm2 board area. Additional board area and component count reduction is achieved by replacing the Schottky diode that is typically needed for start-up into load by integrated circuitry. The TPS6040x can deliver a maximum output current of 60 mA with a typical conversion efficiency of greater than 90% over a wide output current range. Three device options with 20-kHz, 50-kHz, and 250-kHz fixed-frequency operation are available. TPS60400 comes with a variable switching frequency to reduce operating current in applications with a wide load range and enables the design with low-value capacitors.