Reset Chips Enable Safe Restarts

Supporting safe manual restarts via regular function buttons with no need to find the reset key or risk data loss by removing the battery, the STM65xx smart-reset chips provide two inputs that can interface to two of the end product’s normal function buttons. Holding the function button down for a certain time, which is programmable, signals the IC to send a reset signal to the main processor. Residing in 2 x 2 mm packages, the reset chips have a smaller overall footprint than using separate chips or an equivalent network of discrete components. Additionally, enabling manual reset via the normal user buttons, designers can eliminate the traditional hidden reset requiring an access hole in the casing. Price for the STM65xx is $0.53 each/10,000. STMICROELECTRONICS, Lexington, MA. (888) 787-3550.