SPLD output current protection

Feb 10, 2025 Last reply: 1 year ago 10 Replies

I have an SPLD with about 8 terminals exposed to the user I'd like to protect against over current. They're very low-speed outputs (10s of Hz at most), don't really want to spend a bunch for a chip like the L6374 as an intermediary, or the board space for a bunch of transistors to discrete limit...



The SPLD has a max per-chip-side Vdd input current of 45 mA at 85 C TJ and 22 mA at 110 TJ, and can sink 86 mA to ground per side, 41 at 110 TJ.



The outputs are configured as push-pull or open drain, depending on the firmware/application, either way they can source or sink 40mA in isolation. But no more than two outputs per side at a time will be in a state such that they can sink/source current either way.



The uP I'm using has a very nice 10 bit differential ADC (9 bits if used in bipolar mode) I'm thinking about just rigging it to two 4051s to "scan" a current sense in each output line to implement the overcurrent, can set different thresholds based on whether it's configured push-pull or OD, but what might conservative limits be? And what rate to scan?



The SPLD is acting as a simple power supervisor and has a PWR GOOD line to bring up the uP. In turn it gets a clock from the uP, I can set up the SPLD to set all those outputs hi-z if it ever loses the clock (i.e. uP hangs) as an extra layer of protection..


I'd rather use something KISS and actively monitor as a backup for sure, but I haven't used those devices on low current output lines before, do you have a suggestion for a suitable part? Thanks

I'd rather use something KISS and actively monitor only a backup for sure, but I haven't used those devices on low current output lines before, do you have a suggestion for a suitable part? Thanks

My head starts to hurt trying to interpret some of these polyfuse datasheets, I feel like hard limiting using software is almost simpler than trying to figure out what thing to use..

If it ain't a FPGA or a CPLD it's an SPLD. I think.

I was thinking of something like the Murata PRG18 series?

But instead of one PTC per output maybe the mcu can monitor current in the spld supply and ground pins. May need some amplification to keep sense shunt resistance values low.

Simple programmable logic device?

What part is it? It seems to have power drive beyond what an FPGA would have.

I use these a lot:

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They're cheap enough in quantity to use as general output expanders and the pins have more configurable options than the average uP tends to; push-pull, NMOS open drain, PMOS open drain, 1x,2x,4x drive depending on the pin, with 10k, 100k, 1Meg or floating selectable for pull-up/pull down.

The async state machine is a nice add-on and one can do some e.g. power sequencing with that.

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