A step-up DC/DC converter uses N-channel field-effect transistors as both
an output transistor and a synchronous-rectification transistor and
includes a first driver making the gate voltage of the output transistor
pulsate between a ground voltage and an input voltage and a second driver
making the gate voltage of the synchronous-rectification transistor
pulsate between a switching voltage and a bootstrap voltage equal to the
switching voltage plus at least the ON threshold voltage of the
synchronous-rectification transistor. With this configuration, the
converter operates with improved power efficiency and performs
synchronous rectification unhindered even with a small input-output
voltage difference.