Supervisory ICs offer LDO regulator in power package.
Press Release Summary:
Featuring programmable voltage reset monitoring and watchdog timer with programmable time window, 615x/625x family of integrated microprocessor supervisory ICs have system-enable output and power saving function compatible with CAN-bus sleep mode. V series includes V6150 and V6155 windowed watchdog ICs, while A series includes A6150, A6155, and A6250 windowed watchdog ICs with built-in 5 V LDO voltage regulator. All products are TTL/CMOS compatible.
Original Press Release:
Microprocessor Supervisory IC Family Offers LDO Regulator in Power Package with Windowed Watchdog and 125 °C Operation
Delivers Secure, Robust Solution for Automotive and Industrial Applications
Colorado Springs, Colo. - September 21, 2004 - EM Microelectronic, an electronic systems company of the Swatch Group, introduces the 615x/625x family of highly-integrated microprocessor supervisory ICs with programmable voltage reset monitoring, watchdog timer with programmable time window, system enable output, plus optional low dropout (LDO) +5V voltage regulator and power saving function compatible with CAN-bus sleep mode. The "V" series of the family includes the V6150 and V6155 windowed watchdog ICs, while the "A" series includes the A6150, A6155 and A6250 windowed watchdog ICs with built-in 5V LDO voltage regulator. The A6150 and A6250 are available with an operating temperature range of -40 to +125 °C, making them compatible with the demanding temperature extremes in automotive and industrial environments. All microprocessor supervisory ICs in the 615x/625x family are TTL/CMOS compatible.
A more robust watchdog
Watchdog functions are used to ensure that system microprocessors or controllers do not operate erroneously as a result of the power supply voltage being out of specified operating range, which is especially critical during system powerup and powerdown sequencing. All members of the 615x/625x family feature a voltage- and time-windowed watchdog function that recognizes far more faults than the watchdogs commonly used with microprocessors. Common watchdogs, whether internal to the CPU or external, are dependent on the CPU hardware and software to generate a counter reset signal and therefore will not reliably prevent hardware and software errors. In contrast, the 615x/625x windowed watchdogs ensures that the timer clear signal occurs within the correct time window; otherwise it activates a system reset or other error handling. This is the most robust and reliable type of watchdog action, because it effectively covers hardware errors as well as software errors such as code executing too slowly or too quickly.
In the 615x/625x family, timings of the watchdog function are programmable using one external resistor to set the power-on reset delay, the watchdog time and the close/open window time. In addition, watchdog function and timing is dependent on reset voltage monitoring of the power supply, which is also programmable using an external two-resistor voltage divider. The 615x/625x family all feature an open drain reset output, which allows direct interface to shared control busses, wired-OR connection and design flexibility in automotive applications with multiple CPU subsystems spread throughout the chassis. An independent system enable output is also provided, which prevents critical control functions from being activated until software has successfully cleared the watchdog three times.
This combined effect of supply voltage surveillance, watchdog timing surveillance and system enable output provides extreme reliability and security in critical microprocessor-controlled automotive, transportation, robotic and industrial control applications. This also eliminates the need for redundant microprocessors that supervise each other. In automotive applications, the 615x/625x are used to monitor the microprocessors that control electronic cockpit security and the steering column as well as other functions such as trunk closure systems, electrical spoiler control, and electrical seat, dashboard, sunroof, rear-view mirror and window controls. Industrial applications include automated teller machines (ATMs), robotics and process control equipment.
Windowed watchdogs with LDOs, CAN-bus sleep mode
In addition to the windowed watchdog and voltage monitoring functions, the A6150 offers a LDO +5V regulator with 100mA guaranteed output and a low dropout voltage (typically 380 mV at 100mA). The device's unregulated DC input can withstand -20V reverse battery and +60V power transients, such as the "jump start" spike encountered in automotive applications. It is fully operational for unregulated DC input voltage up to 26V and regulated output voltage down to 3.0V, with guaranteed valid enable and reset logic states for regulated output voltage down to 1.2V.
Basically a higher power version of the A6150, the A6250 features an internal 5V LDO regulator and a special PSOP2-16 power package that allows it to deliver up to 250mA for higher power applications. Going up in temperature, with a 15V input voltage, A6250 can deliver 150mA at 85°C, or 70mA at 125°C. The A6250 can reduce parts count by serving as a central supervisory circuit for multiple CPUs in a system, as well as consolidate the power regulation requirements of several subsystems into a single device.
The V6155 and A6155 offer a windowed watchdog with a Controller Area Network bus (CAN-bus) sleep mode detector. In a typical automotive or industrial application, a central processor can issue a general "sleep" instruction to all V6155/A6155-equipped peripheral modules. In sleep mode, the V6155/A6155 will greatly reduce the rate that they generate reset signals. This greatly reduces power drain when the system is off and extends battery life, which is a tremendous benefit for vehicles and equipment that is garaged or off-line for periods of days or weeks at a time.
Availability
The 615x/625x family of microprocessor supervisory ICs is now shipping from EM Microelectronic and its authorized distributors. The A6150, V6150, A6155 and V6155 are available in a SO8 package. The A6250 is available in a PSOP2-16 power package that may be directly soldered to a printed circuit board using a bottom slug for better heat sinking. More information about these circuits is available at www.emmicroelectronic.com/Line.asp?IdLine=1.
About EM Microelectronic
EM Microelectronic is a semiconductor manufacturer that designs and produces ultra-low-power, low-voltage, digital, analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits for battery-operated and field-powered devices in consumer, automotive and industrial applications. The company's product portfolio includes RFID circuits, ultra-low-power microcontrollers, voltage reset IC and microcontroller supervisory IC supervisor, watchdog, regulator, smart card ICs, LCD drivers and displays, sensor and optoelectronic ICs, mixed analog and digital gate arrays and application-specific integrated circuits. EM also produces LCD modules and offers bumping services.
EM Microelectronic is one the electronic systems companies within the Swatch Group, producing and assembling ultra-low power, miniaturized and accurate microelectronic components and systems. Additional company and product information is available at www.emmicroelectronic.com.
