These devices combine four popular functions, Power-on
Reset Control, Watchdog Timer, Supply Voltage Supervision,
and Block Lock Protect Serial EEPROM Memory in one
package. This combination lowers system cost, reduces
board space requirements, and increases reliability.
Applying power to the device activates the power-on reset
circuit which holds RESET/RESET active for a period of
time. This allows the power supply and oscillator to stabilize
before the processor executes code.
The Watchdog Timer provides an independent protection
mechanism for microcontrollers. When the microcontroller
fails to restart a timer within a selectable time out interval,
the device activates the RESET/RESET signal. The user
selects the interval from three preset values. Once selected,
the interval does not change, even after cycling the power.