Texas Instruments TPS3850G12DRCT

Overview

TPS3850G12DRCT from Texas Instruments is a precision voltage supervisor IC with integrated programmable window watchdog timer, designed for microcontroller and SoC power-rail monitoring in safety-critical embedded systems. It delivers 0.8% threshold accuracy over –40°C to +125°C, supports 1.6 V–6.5 V supply range, features open-drain RESET and WDO outputs, and enables ±4% or ±7% fault windows on rails from 0.9 V to 5.0 V - used in ultrasound scanners and active antenna systems.

For engineers reviewing the TPS3850G12DRCT datasheet, TPS3850G12DRCT pinout, TPS3850G12DRCT application, or TPS3850G12DRCT equivalent, key selection criteria include factory-programmed vs capacitor-programmable reset/watchdog timing, SENSE pin hysteresis (0.5%), watchdog disable capability via SET pins, and compatibility with tight-tolerance power domains requiring sub-1% threshold stability.

Technical Context

The TPS3850G12DRCT implements a dual-threshold window comparator on the SENSE pin with independent overvoltage (VIT+(OV)) and undervoltage (VIT–(UV)) detection, each achieving 0.8% accuracy across temperature. Its internal precision clock drives both the RESET delay timer and the window watchdog state machine, enabling accurate timing without external crystals.

Watchdog operation uses a configurable window ratio (1/8, 3/4, or 1/2) selected by SET0/SET1 logic levels, with upper/lower boundaries programmable via CWD capacitor or factory settings. The device supports watchdog disable mode and includes glitch-immune input sampling (tINIT = 381 µs), ensuring robust fault detection in noisy industrial environments.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

TPS3850G12DRCT is housed in a 3.00 mm × 3.00 mm, 10-pin VSON package (DRC) with exposed thermal pad connected internally to GND. The package supports high-density PCB layouts and efficient heat dissipation via thermal pad soldering to ground plane.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar voltage supervision and watchdog timer applications.

Compared with TPS3851G12DRCT and MAX6373KA29+T, the TPS3850G12DRCT uniquely combines ±0.8% window threshold accuracy, programmable watchdog timing, and 3×3 mm VSON packaging - making it optimal for space-constrained, high-reliability systems needing both rail integrity and firmware execution monitoring.

Availability

TPS3850G12DRCT is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for ultrasound scanner, active antenna system mMIMO (AAS), and robot servo drive applications requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long production lifecycles.

Supply support for TPS3850G12DRCT includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor company specializing in analog and embedded processing technologies, with leadership in precision analog ICs and industrial-grade power management solutions.

The TPS3850G12DRCT belongs to TI's high-accuracy voltage supervisor product line, engineered specifically for functional safety applications in medical, telecom infrastructure, and industrial automation where deterministic fault response and long-term parameter stability are mandatory.

FAQ

What is the operating voltage range for the TPS3850G12DRCT?

The TPS3850G12DRCT operates from 1.6 V to 6.5 V on its VDD pin, supporting a broad range of logic and analog supply rails. This range allows direct interfacing with 1.8 V, 3.3 V, and 5 V systems without level-shifting, and maintains full specification compliance-including 0.8% threshold accuracy and 10 µA supply current-across the entire range and from –40°C to +125°C.

How does the TPS3850G12DRCT implement window watchdog functionality?

The TPS3850G12DRCT implements a true window watchdog using two independently programmable time boundaries: tWDL (lower) and tWDU (upper). A valid falling edge on WDI must occur strictly between these boundaries; early or late edges assert WDO. Ratios (1/8, 3/4, 1/2) are set by SET0/SET1, while absolute values are configured via CWD capacitor or factory defaults - enabling precise fault classification in the TPS3850G12DRCT.

Can the reset delay of the TPS3850G12DRCT be customized?

Yes, the TPS3850G12DRCT supports dual-mode reset delay configuration: factory-programmed options (170–230 ms, ±9.5% accuracy) or user-defined timing via capacitor on CRST pin (703 µs to 3.22 s). The device automatically detects CRST configuration (NC, resistor, or capacitor) within 381 µs each time SENSE re-enters the valid window - providing flexibility without sacrificing production repeatability in the TPS3850G12DRCT.

What package type and thermal characteristics does the TPS3850G12DRCT use?

The TPS3850G12DRCT uses a 3.00 mm × 3.00 mm, 10-pin VSON package (DRC) with exposed thermal pad internally tied to GND. Its junction-to-board thermal resistance (RθJB) is 26.1°C/W, and it requires soldering the thermal pad to a large-area ground plane. This construction enables reliable operation at 125°C junction temperature while maintaining low profile for dense PCB layouts in the TPS3850G12DRCT.

Does the TPS3850G12DRCT support watchdog disable functionality?

Yes, the TPS3850G12DRCT supports hardware watchdog disable via specific logic states on SET0 and SET1 pins (e.g., SET0 = 1, SET1 = 0). When disabled, the WDI input is ignored, and WDO remains high-impedance regardless of WDI activity - allowing safe firmware development, bootloader operation, or maintenance modes without modifying timing components. This feature is fully documented and tested in the TPS3850G12DRCT datasheet.