US 7,552,016 B2
Integrated circuit having a multi-purpose node configured to receive a threshold voltage and to provide a fault signal
Ravi Vig, Bow, N.H. (US); John Cummings, Nashua, N.H. (US); Jonathan Lamarre, Pembroke, N.H. (US); and David J. Haas, Weare, N.H. (US)
Assigned to Allegro Microsystems, Inc., Worcester, Mass. (US)
Filed on May 30, 2007, as Appl. No. 11/755,295.
Prior Publication US 2008/0297242 A1, Dec. 04, 2008
Int. Cl. G01R 31/00 (2006.01); G01R 31/04 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 702—58  [324/538] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An integrated circuit, comprising:
a monitor node configured to receive a monitored signal; and
a multi-purpose node, wherein the multi-purpose node is configured to couple to a resistor external to the integrated circuit, wherein the integrated circuit is configured to provide a predetermined current at the multi-purpose node during a predetermined time period, resulting in a resistor voltage upon the resistor during the predetermined time period, wherein the integrated circuit is further configured to sense the resistor voltage, wherein the resistor voltage is indicative of a threshold value, wherein the integrated circuit is further configured to store the threshold value, wherein the integrated circuit is further configured to output a fault signal from the multi-purpose node at a time after the predetermined time period, wherein the fault signal is indicative of a comparison between the monitored signal and the threshold value.