STMicroelectronics is a leading global semiconductor company that designs and manufactures a broad range of innovative products for various industries. With a focus on delivering high-performance solutions, STMicroelectronics offers a comprehensive portfolio of microcontrollers, sensors, power management solutions, and analog and digital ICs. These products enable efficient and reliable operation in applications such as automotive, industrial automation, IoT, and consumer electronics. STMicroelectronics is committed to sustainability and social responsibility, investing in environmentally friendly manufacturing processes and promoting ethical practices throughout its supply chain. The company's products are designed to meet the highest industry standards, ensuring superior quality and reliability. STMicroelectronics is also dedicated to innovation, investing heavily in research and development to deliver cutting-edge technologies that address the evolving needs of customers. With a global presence and a team of experienced professionals, STMicroelectronics remains a trusted leader in the semiconductor industry, enabling smarter and more sustainable solutions for a better world.
Supervisors are semiconductor devices designed to monitor and control voltage rails within a circuit. These supervisors are specifically tailored for power management applications and offer various features and functionalities to ensure safe and efficient operation of the system.
The primary function of PMIC Supervisors is to monitor the voltage levels of specific power rails and generate alerts or take actions when these voltages fall outside predefined limits. They can interface with a microcontroller or other control circuits to provide real-time feedback and enable precise control over the power supply.
PMIC Supervisors come in different types, each serving a specific purpose:
Battery Backup Circuit: This type of supervisor ensures that a backup battery is always available to provide power in case of a power failure or outage. It helps maintain uninterrupted power supply to critical components.
Monitor: Monitors constantly check the voltage levels of specific power rails and provide alerts or signals if those voltages deviate from the desired range. This helps prevent damage to the system due to voltage fluctuations.
Multi-Voltage Supervisor: These supervisors are capable of monitoring and controlling multiple voltage rails simultaneously. They are useful in complex systems where multiple power domains need to be monitored and managed.
Power Supply Monitor: Power supply monitors keep track of the input voltage from a power source and generate warnings or triggers if the voltage falls below or exceeds specified thresholds. This helps protect the system from potential power supply failures.
Regulator/Supervisor: Regulator/supervisors combine voltage regulation and monitoring functionalities. They not only control and stabilize the output voltage but also provide supervision features for enhanced reliability.
Reset Timer: Reset timers introduce a time delay before resetting the microcontroller after a power-on reset or system reset. This delay ensures a stable power supply before the microcontroller resumes operation.
Sequencer: Sequencers coordinate the startup sequence of a system, ensuring that voltage rails are powered up in the correct order and at the appropriate time. This helps prevent issues like voltage spikes and ensures smooth system operation.
Simple Reset/Power-On Reset: These supervisors generate a reset signal when the microcontroller is powered on or when a system reset occurs. They assist in initializing the system and ensuring proper startup.
Smart On/Off Controller: Smart on/off controllers enable intelligent control of the power supply to a system. They can automatically turn on or off the power based on user-defined parameters, saving energy and optimizing system performance.
System Manager: System managers provide advanced monitoring and control functions for power management. They offer features such as fault detection, system diagnosis, and system-level power management, making them suitable for complex systems.
Voltage Detector: Voltage detectors monitor specific voltage rails and generate an interrupt or alert when the voltage falls below a certain threshold. They help protect sensitive components from undervoltage conditions.
Watchdog Circuit: Watchdog circuits provide an additional level of safety to the system by monitoring the microcontroller's operation. If the microcontroller fails to respond within a predefined time period, the watchdog circuit triggers a reset to restore normal operation.
In summary, Integrated Circuits (ICs) - Power Management (PMIC) - Supervisors are semiconductor devices designed to monitor and control voltage levels in a circuit. They offer various features and types tailored for specific power management needs, ensuring safe and efficient operation of electronic systems.
