Atmel Corporation

Microchip Technology Inc.

Thibault Kervaon

Thierry Gourbilleau

Patrice Menard

Régis Vix

Sebastien Jouin

Bernard Coloma

Mikael Tual

A microcontroller is operable to monitor power supply levels corresponding, respectively, to a first power supply (e.g., a main power supply) and a second power supply (e.g., a battery backup power supply). In one or more modes of operation, the same brownout detector in the microcontroller alternately monitors signals corresponding, respectively, to the first and second power supply levels.

Microcontroller including power supply monitoring

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a power management unit for controlling power in a microcontroller. The unit causes a first voltage to be provided in an active mode. In a sleep mode, the unit determines whether a supply voltage is less than an upper reference voltage and, if so, cause a second voltage greater than the first voltage to be provided. If not, the unit inhibits operation of voltage regulation of power supplied to the microcontroller. After inhibition of operation of voltage regulation, the unit determines whether the supply voltage has fallen to a lower reference voltage and, if so, applies the second voltage to the microcontroller.

Systems and methods for managing power consumed by a microcontroller in an inactive mode

Growing community of inventors

Nantes, France

Thibault Kervaon