Monitoring voltage, sequencing with PSoc

Many systems require a variety of voltages to power the ASICs, FPGAs, and standard logic found in designs. Some of these designs require voltages to power on in a specific sequence; otherwise, the chip is damaged. Several voltage monitoring and sequencing devices are available today. However, these devices are expensive and often do not meet the needs of the design, because they offer little or no programmability.

PSoC can be used for monitoring and sequencing the voltages. With its analogue structure and programmability, PSoC is suitable stringent designs. This application note describes a system that uses eight different voltages. The PSoC device monitors each of the eight rails and controls the voltage-enables such that they power on in sequence. Subsequent rails are activated only after the previous rail rises to a minimal voltage level. All the voltages are constantly monitored and if any voltage falls below a minimum value, the appropriate enables are turned off. The configuration can be easily adapted to satisfy other designs.

View the PDF document for more information.