The LM2587 series of regulators are monolithic integrated circuits specifically designed for flyback, step-up (boost), and forward converter applications. The device is available in 4 different output voltage versions: 3.3 V, 5 V, 12 V, and adjustable. Requiring a minimum number of external components, these regulators are cost effective, and simple to use. Included in the datasheet are typical circuits of boost and flyback regulators. Also listed are selector guides for diodes and capacitors and a family of standard inductors and flyback transformers designed to work with these switching regulators. The power switch is a 5-A NPN device that can stand-off 65 V. Protecting the power switch are current and thermal limiting circuits, and an undervoltage lockout circuit. This IC contains a 100 kHz fixed-frequency internal oscillator that permits the use of small magnetics. Other features include softstart mode to reduce in-rush current during start up, current mode control for improved rejection of input voltage and output load transients and cycle-by-cycle current limiting. An output voltage tolerance of ±4%, within specified input voltages and output load conditions, is ensured for the power supply system.

A boost converter (step-up converter) is a DC-to-DC power converter that steps up voltage (while stepping down current) from its input (supply) to its output (load). It is a class of switched-mode power supply (SMPS) containing at least two semiconductors (a diode and a transistor) and at least one energy storage element: a capacitor, inductor, or the two in combination. To reduce voltage ripple, filters made of capacitors (sometimes in combination with inductors) are normally added to such a converter's output (load-side filter) and input (supply-side filter).

Power for the boost converter can come from any suitable DC source, such as batteries, solar panels, rectifiers, and DC generators. A process that changes one DC voltage to a different DC voltage is called DC to DC conversion. A boost converter is a DC to DC converter with an output voltage greater than the source voltage. A boost converter is sometimes called a step-up converter since it "steps up" the source voltage. Since power ({\textstyle P=U*I}) must be conserved, the output current is lower than the source current.