Sometimes you've got some 3.3v powered circuitry and you just need a li'l bit of 5V power for some LEDs or to level shift to 5V circuitry power. You could go with a boost converter, but usually you need a diode, inductor, maybe even a feedback resistor set. If you only need ~50mA you may be able to get away with a charge-pump. These low-current boosters are not as efficient as DC/DC style converters but they are very simple and cheap, only needing a capacitor or two to 'double' the input voltage and then regulate it down.

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