3.15 BOD - Brown-Out Detector

This device has an on-chip Brown-out Detection circuit for monitoring the Operating Voltage (VCC) level during operation. By comparing the VCC to a fixed trigger level, it can determine if the device needs to be put into reset mode to prevent erratic operation.

This device operates from 3V to 5V. The BOD will reset the device if the VCC voltage falls below 3V, and the status will be updated in DEVSTA.BOD register.

This feature can be enabled or disabled by writing the value in the DEVCTRL.BOD register.

Note: The BOD monitors the VCC every 1msec. So, if voltage suddenly drops below the BOD level for a fraction of the time, then reset may not happen. Care should be taken in the system design that sudden voltage drops do not occur by adding adequate capacitors.