Patent · US Expired

Power level detection circuit

US5581206A · kind A · utility

128Cited by
15References
36Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 28, 1995
Grant dateDec 3, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 28, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH03K17/223
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A level detection circuit for monitoring the level of a power supply voltage and producing an output signal at power on for resetting various system elements powered by the supply voltage when the supply voltage reaches a predetermined level. The detection circuit, which is powered by the supply voltage includes a voltage reference circuit which produces a reference voltage having a magnitude which is relatively independent of the power supply voltage. A translator circuit functions to produce a translated voltage indicative of the supply voltage magnitude and which is comparable in magnitude to the reference voltage when the supply voltage is at a suitable level such that the system will accept a power on reset pulse. A comparator circuit functions to compare the reference voltage with the translated voltage and cause an associated output circuit to issue the reset pulse. The reset circuit typically includes a one shot circuit, the output of which is logically ORed with the amplified comparator output. The amplified comparator output functions to hold the system elements in a reset state at very low supply voltages and the one shot output functions to reset the system elements onc…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.