ADM823/ADM824/ADM825 Data Sheet
Rev. D | Page 10 of 12
APPLICATIONS INFORMATION
WATCHDOG INPUT CURRENT
To minimize the watchdog input current (and minimize overall
power consumption), leave WDI low for the majority of the
watchdog timeout period. When driven high, WDI can draw as
much as 160 µA. Pulsing WDI low-high-low at a low duty cycle
reduces the effect of the large input current. When WDI is
unconnected, a window comparator disconnects the watchdog
timer from the reset output circuitry so that reset is not asserted
when the watchdog timer times out.
NEGATIVE-GOING V
CC
TRANSIENTS
To avoid unnecessary resets caused by fast power supply
transients, the ADM823/ADM824/ADM825 are equipped with
glitch rejection circuitry. The typical performance characteristic
in Figure 12 plots V
CC
transient duration vs. the transient mag-
nitude. The curves show combinations of transient magnitude
and duration for which a reset is not generated for 4.63 V and
2.93 V reset threshold parts. For example, with the 2.93 V
threshold, a transient that goes 100 mV below the threshold and
lasts 8 µs typically does not cause a reset, but if the transient is
any larger in magnitude or duration, a reset is generated. An
optional 0.1 µF bypass capacitor mounted close to V
CC
provides
additional glitch rejection.
ENSURING RESET VALID TO V
CC
= 0 V
Both active low and active high reset outputs are guaranteed to
be valid for V
CC
as low as 1 V. However, by using an external
resistor with push-pull configured reset outputs, valid outputs
for V
CC
as low as 0 V are possible. For an active low reset output,
a resistor connected between
RESET
and ground pulls the output
low when it is unable to sink current. For an active high reset
output, a resistor connected between RESET and V
CC
pulls the
output high when it is unable to source current. A large resist-
ance such as 100 kΩ should be used so that the reset output is
not overloaded when V
CC
is above 1 V.
ADM823/
ADM824/
ADM825
V
CC
RESET
100kΩ
ADM824/
ADM825
V
CC
RESET
100kΩ
04534-017
Figure 17. Ensuring Reset Valid to V
CC
= 0 V
WATCHDOG SOFTWARE CONSIDERATIONS
In implementing the microprocessor watchdog strobe code,
quickly switching WDI low-to-high and then high-to-low
(minimizing WDI high time) is desirable for current consumption
reasons. However, a more effective way of using the watchdog
function can be considered.
A low-high-low WDI pulse within a given subroutine prevents
the watchdog timing out. However, if the subroutine becomes
stuck in an infinite loop, the watchdog cannot detect this cond-
ition because the subroutine continues to toggle WDI. A more
effective coding scheme for detecting this error involves using a
slightly longer watchdog timeout. In the program that calls the
subroutine, WDI is set high (see Figure 18). The subroutine sets
WDI low when it is called. If the program executes without error,
WDI is toggled high and low with every loop of the program.
If the subroutine enters an infinite loop, WDI is kept low, the
watchdog times out, and the microprocessor is reset.
START
SET WDI
HIGH
PROGRAM
CODE
SUBROUTINE
SET WDI
LOW
RETURN
INFINITE LOOP:
WATCHDOG
TIMES OUT
RESET
04534-020
Figure 18. Watchdog Flow Diagram
RESET RESET
WDI I/OMR
ADM823
V
CC
MICROPROCESSOR
04534-019
Figure 19. Typical Application Circuit
