August 2013

DocID023775 Rev 1

1/16

TN0941

Technical note

Reset and supervisor ICs: frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Introduction

• When to and why use reset and supervisor ICs?

• What is the difference between a voltage detector and a reset IC?

• What are the main reset and supervisor IC categories?

• Why should I use a standalone reset IC if one is already integrated in the microcontroller?

• What are the following core features of reset and supervisor ICs used for?

– Power-on reset (POR)

– Low-voltage detect (LVD)

– Manual reset (MR)

– Push-pull and open drain reset outputs

• What are the following additional options of reset and supervisor ICs used for?

– Backup battery switchover

– Battery freshness seal

– Watchdog

– Chip enable gating

– Early power fail

– Anti-tampering functions

• What is a Smart Reset™ and what is it used for?

• With Smart Reset™ devices, is the reset asserted repeatedly if a push-button is pressed

for a long time?

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