Sometimes applications have devices with multiple voltage requirements (eg, core voltages, I/O voltages). The sequence in which these voltages rise is important.
A common requirement is that one voltage must rise and stabilise before another voltage. These multiple-voltage applications can benefit from small microcontrollers, such as Microchip Technology's PIC10F206, to control the sequence in which the voltages in the system are allowed to rise. The PIC microcontroller can be added to an existing design with a minimal increase in complexity or cost.
The circuit operates by using pulse width modulation (PWM) to slowly increase the amount of time the power supply is allowed to operate (the complete technical brief is available at www.microchip.com). The circuit will first increase the duty cycle of one PWM output from 0 to 100% to allow the first voltage to rise. It will then pause and increase the duty cycle of the second PWM output from 0 to 100% to allow the second voltage to rise, as shown in the timing diagram. While doing this, an active-low shutdown pin will be polled to ensure that the voltage on the under-voltage lockout pin is above 0,6 V.
This particular solution demonstrates how to control the shutdown pins of two power supplies in order to provide one with a specifiable soft-start time. The delay between PWM outputs and when the softstart begins can be customised. Furthermore, the design provides both an active-low shutdown pin and an under-voltage lockout pin.
Memory shortage 2026: Engineering implications for South Africa
DSP, Micros & Memory
[Sponsored] Addressing this challenge requires system-level thinking and adoption with McKinsey Electronics providing the engineering and sourcing framework required to maintain system resilience despite ongoing global constraints.
Read more...Cost-effective microcontroller series Altron Arrow
DSP, Micros & Memory
The STM32C5 series from STMicroelectronics delivers an excellent balance of performance, efficiency, and affordability for embedded designs that require more capability without increasing bill of materials cost.
Read more...Understanding two key tools for cleaner serial data Altron Arrow
Editor's Choice Analogue, Mixed Signal, LSI
Understanding how pre-emphasis and equalisation works, and when to use one over the other, is critical when designing reliable high-speed systems.
Read more...Battery-friendly Thread and BLE solution iCorp Technologies
DSP, Micros & Memory
Positioned as an incremental upgrade to the ESP32-H2, Espressif’s ESP32-H21 adds an integrated DC-DC converter that reduces active current draw and helps extend battery life in power-sensitive consumer and industrial devices.
Read more...Next generation HMI processing platform Future Electronics
DSP, Micros & Memory
Microchip’s latest hybrid MCU SiP integrates an Arm926EJ-S processor with 512 Mb of DDR2 SDRAM and is engineered to meet the rising demand for sophisticated HMI solutions in modern vehicles.
Read more...Compact 1250 V choke solution Electrocomp
Passive Components
TDK Corporation has introduced a new high-voltage common-mode choke series designed to support more compact and efficient 1250 V DC converter architectures in next-generation power electronics.
Read more...Ultra-low jitter clocks Altron Arrow
Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Skyworks has introduced a new family of ultra-low jitter programmable clocks designed to meet the increasing demands of next-gen connectivity.
Read more...Efficient Bluetooth SoC Altron Arrow
Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The EFR32BG29 wireless SoC from Silicon Labs is a highly efficient, high memory, low-power, and ultra compact SoC designed for secure and high-performance wireless networking for IoT devices.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.