Integrated circuit having power supply connection integrity monitor.

摘要

An integrated circuit includes a monitor device connected between a pin for connection to the more positive lead of the power supply or the less positive lead of the power supply and the more positive voltage supply conductors or the less positive voltage supply conductors on the integrated circuit substrate. The monitor circuit has a threshold circuit (112) such that, insignificant perturbations will not trigger the monitor. The monitor circuit includes a comparator (120) having a reference voltage input (122) such that the same circuit may be used for the more positive side of the power supply, as well as, the less positive side with straightforward modifications. When the monitor circuit detects a significant fault, i.e. one that could falsely switch part of the integrated circuit, it sets a flip-flop (141) to record such an occurrence. The monitor flip-flop (141) cannot be reset by the usual reset signals, in order to prevent it from being cleared by normal diagnostics and error recovery operations. <IMAGE>