A Long Reset-Time Power-On Reset Circuit With Brown-Out Detection Capability

Abstract

A compact low-power on-chip power-on reset circuit with a brown-out detection capability is presented. With a pico-farad-order on-chip MOS capacitor, a long reset time is achieved. A prototype design implemented in a 0.18-mu m CMOS process provides a reset signal with duration of hundreds of milliseconds. The embedded brown-out detection circuit can detect the event, as long as the brown-out duration is longer than the millisecond range. The chip consumes only 1 mu A under a 1.8-V supply and occupies a 120 mu m x 100 mu m active area.