Texas Instruments TPS3850G18DRCT

Overview

TPS3850G18DRCT from Texas Instruments is a precision voltage supervisor IC with integrated programmable window watchdog timer, designed for high-reliability microcontroller and SoC power-rail monitoring. 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/WDO outputs, and operates with only 10 µA typical supply current - ideal for ultrasound scanners and active antenna systems requiring tight fault detection margins.

For engineers reviewing the TPS3850G18DRCT datasheet, TPS3850G18DRCT pinout, TPS3850G18DRCT application, or TPS3850G18DRCT equivalent, this device serves as a critical system-level safety component in industrial, medical, and telecom equipment where precise over/undervoltage supervision and configurable watchdog timing are mandatory for fail-safe operation.

Technical Context

The TPS3850G18DRCT implements dual independent comparators with matched reference generation for simultaneous overvoltage (VIT+(OV)) and undervoltage (VIT–(UV)) detection on the SENSE pin, each achieving ±0.8% accuracy across temperature. Its internal state machine evaluates CRST and CWD pins every valid SENSE window entry, enabling dynamic selection between factory-programmed and capacitor-programmable reset and watchdog delays.

It uses a precision clock-based timing architecture for both RESET delay (tRST) and window watchdog boundaries (tWDL/tWDU), with SET0/SET1 logic inputs selecting watchdog ratios (1/8, 3/4, 1/2) or disabling the watchdog entirely. The dedicated WDO output asserts only when RESET is high, providing fault isolation for diagnostic analysis.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

TPS3850G18DRCT 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 thermal dissipation (RθJA = 52.3°C/W).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with TPS3850G18DRCT, TPS3851G18DRCT adds local regulation at higher current draw, while MAX6373KA29+T trades programmability and precision for lower cost and simpler implementation - making TPS3850G18DRCT the optimal choice for systems demanding both high-accuracy rail monitoring and configurable fault-detection timing.

Availability

TPS3850G18DRCT is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for ultrasound scanners, active antenna systems, infusion pumps, and robot servo drives requiring stable component supply across extended temperature and long product lifecycles.

Supply support for TPS3850G18DRCT 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 leader specializing in analog and embedded processing technologies, with decades of expertise in power management, signal chain, and high-reliability IC design.

The TPS3850G18DRCT belongs to TI's precision supervisor portfolio, engineered specifically for mission-critical applications in medical, industrial, and communications infrastructure where deterministic power-rail monitoring and software execution validation are non-negotiable.

FAQ

What is the SENSE pin voltage range supported by the TPS3850G18DRCT?

The TPS3850G18DRCT supports SENSE input voltages from 0.9 V to 5.0 V, covering common logic rails including 1.2 V, 1.8 V, 2.5 V, 3.3 V, and 5 V. This eliminates the need for external resistor dividers in most applications, and the device maintains ±0.8% threshold accuracy across the full –40°C to +125°C operating range - verified per TI SBVS301B datasheet Section 6.5.

How does the TPS3850G18DRCT implement its window watchdog functionality?

The TPS3850G18DRCT implements a true window watchdog using two independently programmable timing boundaries: tWDL (lower) and tWDU (upper). A valid falling edge on WDI must occur strictly between these boundaries to prevent WDO assertion. Ratios (1/8, 3/4, 1/2) are selected via SET0/SET1, and absolute values are set by CWD pin configuration - enabling precise alignment with firmware loop timing as detailed in Section 6.6 of the TPS3850G18DRCT datasheet.

Can the TPS3850G18DRCT watchdog be disabled, and how is it done?

Yes, the TPS3850G18DRCT watchdog can be fully disabled using logic combinations on SET0 and SET1 pins - specifically SET0 = 1 and SET1 = 0, regardless of CWD state. When disabled, WDI is ignored and WDO remains high-impedance; this mode is intended for development, bootloader execution, or systems where software-only supervision suffices. The disable function is explicitly documented in Table 6-2 and Section 7.3.4 of the TPS3850G18DRCT datasheet.

What are the RESET delay options available on the TPS3850G18DRCT?

The TPS3850G18DRCT offers two RESET delay modes: factory-programmed (170–230 ms nominal, 9.5% accuracy) or capacitor-programmable (703 µs to 3.22 s) via the CRST pin. CRST evaluation occurs in 381 µs after SENSE re-enters the valid window, and the selected mode is determined by whether CRST is left unconnected, pulled up with 10 kΩ, or connected to a capacitor - per Section 6.6 and Figure 8-1 in the TPS3850G18DRCT datasheet.

Is the TPS3850G18DRCT compatible with 1.8-V supply rails, and what is its quiescent current?

Yes, the TPS3850G18DRCT operates natively with 1.8-V VDD and monitors 1.8-V rails directly on the SENSE pin. Its typical supply current is 10 µA across 1.6–6.5 V and –40°C to +125°C, making it suitable for always-on supervision in low-power systems. This value is measured per Section 6.5 Electrical Characteristics in the TPS3850G18DRCT datasheet, with max IDD specified at 19 µA.