These devices combine four popular functions, Poweron
Reset Control, Watchdog Timer, Supply Voltage
Supervision, and Block Lock Protect Serial EEPROM
Memory in one package. This combination lowers
system cost, reduces board space requirements, and
increases reliability.
Applying power to the device activates the power on
reset circuit which holds RESET/RESET active for a
period of time. This allows the power supply and oscillator
to stabilize before the processor executes code.
The Watchdog Timer provides an independent protection
mechanism for microcontrollers. When the microcontroller
fails to restart a timer within a selectable
time out interval, the device activates the RESET/
RESET signal. The user selects the interval from three
preset values. Once selected, the interval does not
change, even after cycling the power.
The device’s low V
CC
detection circuitry protects the
user’s system from low voltage conditions, resetting
the system when V
CC
falls below the minimum V
CC
trip point. RESET/RESET is asserted until V
CC
returns
to proper operating level and stabilizes. Five industry
standard V
TRIP
thresholds are available, however,
Xicor’s unique circuits allow the threshold to be reprogrammed
to meet custom requirements or to fine-tune
the threshold for applications requiring higher precision.