Ensuring reliable operation in multivoltage systems

Monitoring and controlling the increasing number of voltage rails in multivoltage devices is fundamental for the safe, robust, and reliable operation of these systems. The use of a discrete circuit that employs a precise resistor-divider network, a comparator, and a reference voltage to monitor system voltages often results in a large footprint. IC voltage supervisors address the issues associated with the discrete voltage-monitoring implementation. A typical voltage-monitoring device features a voltage reference, a comparator, a supply voltage resistor string, a reset timeout generator, and an output driver stage. Such devices typically offer threshold accuracy of 2.5% and can monitor voltages as low as 1.58 V. High-accuracy multivoltage monitors have also been introduced that offer a precise, cost-efficient method of ensuring reliable operation in complex multivoltage systems, while minimizing the board space required. These monitors ease design challenges by minimizing the overall voltage range required for dependable system operation.