It's almost certainly a negative bias voltage generator for use with extended temperature glass on the same PCB. There are switched capacitor converters that can supply some healthy currents though. I've used some from TI that can supply 80mA or so at relatively high efficiency. Linear Technology makes some similar parts too. For smallish battery powered systems that's often enough to power the whole system or a subsystem and then some. Matt Pobursky Maximum Performance Systems On Wed, 19 Sep 2012 15:54:51 -0400, M.L. wrote: > On Wed, Sep 19, 2012 at 2:49 PM, Peter Johansson > wrote: > >> I recently purchased a bunch of 16x2 LCDs and did not notice until I >> received them that the PCB has pads for a 3.3V to 5V regulator. Does >> anyone happen to know what regulator chip is commonly used on these >> boards? This could prove convenient in the future. > > > Are you sure it's a 3.3 to 5v converter? There's no inductor, and a > switched-capacitor converter wouldn't be able to provide much current. > Though I suppose it could be a switched capacitor converter. > > -- > Martin K. --=20 http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .