Watchdog supervisory circuits improve microprocessor performance

21 March 2007 DSP, Micros & Memory

Microprocessors need to be reset when code execution errors occur, as well as when supply voltages fall to invalid levels. A watchdog function can detect code execution errors by monitoring frequent logic transitions on a microprocessor's output pin. If a transition is not detected within a certain time period, the watchdog circuit will initiate a reset signal that will take the microprocessor out of its invalid state.

Analog Devices offer a range of Watchdog Supervisory ICs that have reset trips starting from 2,5 V. They have: reset timeout settings of 1 ms, 20 ms, 140 ms, and 1120 ms; push-pull and open-drain options; multiple watchdog timeout settings of 6,3 ms, 102 ms, 1600 ms, and 25,6 s.

Typical applications are for microprocessor systems, computers, controllers, intelligent instruments, critical μP monitoring etc.

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