ADT7461A
http://onsemi.com
15
Sensor Fault Detection
At its D+ input, the ADT7461A contains internal sensor
fault detection circuitry. This circuit can detect situations
where an external remote diode is either not connected or
incorrectly connected to the ADT7461A. A simple voltage
comparator trips if the voltage at D+ exceeds V
DD
− 1 V
(typical), signifying an open circuit between D+ and D−.
The output of this comparator is checked when a conversion
is initiated. Bit 2 of the status register (open flag) is set if a
fault is detected. If the ALERT
pin is enabled, setting this
flag causes ALERT
to assert low.
If the user does not wish to use an external sensor with the
ADT7461A, tie the D+ and D− inputs together to prevent
continuous setting of the open flag.
The ADT7461A Interrupt System
The ADT7461A has two interrupt outputs, ALERT and
THERM
. Both have different functions and behavior.
ALERT
is maskable and responds to violations of software
programmed temperature limits or an open−circuit fault on
the external diode. THERM
is intended as a fail−safe
interrupt output that cannot be masked.
If the external or local temperature exceeds the
programmed high temperature limits, or equals or exceeds
the low temperature limits, the ALERT
output is asserted
low. An open−circuit fault on the external diode also causes
ALERT
to assert. ALERT is reset when serviced by a master
reading its device address, provided the error condition has
gone away and the status register has been reset.
The THERM
output asserts low if the external or local
temperature exceeds the programmed THERM
limits.
THERM
temperature limits should normally be equal to or
greater than the high temperature limits. THERM
is reset
automatically when the temperature falls back within the
THERM
limit. The external and local limits are set by
default to 85°C. A hysteresis value can be programmed; in
which case, THERM
resets when the temperature falls to the
limit value minus the hysteresis value. This applies to both
local and remote measurement channels. The power−on
hysteresis default value is 10°C, but this can be
reprogrammed to any value after powerup.
The hysteresis loop on the THERM
outputs is useful when
THERM
is used, for example, as an on/off controller for a
fan. The user’s system can be set up so that when THERM
asserts, a fan is switched on to cool the system. When
THERM
goes high again, the fan can be switched off.
Programming a hysteresis value protects from fan jitter,
where the temperature hovers around the THERM
limit, and
the fan is constantly switched.
Table 10. THERM Hysteresis
THERM Hysteresis Binary Representation
0°C 0 000 0000
1°C 0 000 0001
10°C 0 000 1010
Figure 19 shows how the THERM and ALERT outputs
operate. The ALERT
output can be used as a SMBALERT
to signal to the host via the SMBus that the temperature has
risen. The user can use the THERM
output to turn on a fan
to cool the system, if the temperature continues to increase.
This method ensures that there is a fail−safe mechanism to
cool the system, without the need for host intervention.
Figure 19. Operation of the ALERT and THERM
Interru
ts
1
32
4
HIGH TEMP LIMIT
RESET BY MASTER
ALERT
THERM
1005C
TEMPERATURE
905C
805C
705C
605C
505C
405C
THERM LIMIT
THERM LIMIT−HYSTERESI
• If the measured temperature exceeds the high
temperature limit, the ALERT
output asserts low.
• If the temperature continues to increase and exceeds the
THERM
limit, the THERM output asserts low. This can
be used to throttle the CPU clock or switch on a fan.
• The THERM output deasserts (goes high) when the
temperature falls to THERM
limit minus hysteresis. In ,
the default hysteresis value of 10°C is shown.
• The ALERT output deasserts only when the
temperature has fallen below the high temperature
limit, and the master has read the device address and
cleared the status register.
• Pin 6 on the ADT7461A can be configured as either an
ALERT
output or as an additional THERM output.
• THERM2 asserts low when the temperature exceeds the
programmed local and/or remote high temperature
limits. It is reset in the same manner as THERM and is
not maskable.
• The programmed hysteresis value also applies to
THERM2
.
Figure 20 shows how THERM
and THERM2 operate
together to implement two methods of cooling the system.
In this example, the THERM2
limits are set lower than the
THERM
limits. The THERM2 output is used to turn on a
fan. If the temperature continues to rise and exceeds the
THERM
limits, the THERM output provides additional
cooling by throttling the CPU.