New products simplify supply margin testing and multiple supply monitoring. (System monitoring: monthly design ideas from Linear Technology).(LTC and 2920-1 and LTC2920-2)

EDN, May, 2003

High reliability systems perform power supply "margin" testing to assure maximum performance and reliability across the full operating voltage range, Forcing the power supply module or DC/DC converter to [ or -] 5% of the nominal voltage requires access to the trim pin or feedback node. Once the supply voltage is regulated at the margin voltage, the system performance can be evaluated.

One consequence of operating at the lower limit of regulation is inadvertent tripping of the reset signal by the supply voltage monitor circuit. Typically, the supply monitor threshold is chosen to be just slightly below the lower limit of regulation. When operating at the lower limit of regulation, there is limited allowance for noise and therefore the reset signal can...

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