Today’s electronic applications often require more than just one supply voltage of 5 V or 3.3 V. The need for 10, 20, or more voltages is not unusual. Added to this are voltage domains that have the same voltage level but must be generated separately as domains—that is, these voltages must be generated twice. An example is the implementation of two identical voltages to supply an analog and a digital load. This separation prevents mutual interference and supplies energy to various loads at various times.

Figure 1 shows the block diagram of a system with numerous different voltage domains. These voltages are generated with individual switching regulators and linear regulators. Selection of the individual voltage converters strongly depends on the conversion efficiency required, the voltage to be generated, and, especially, the current consumed by the respective loads. As a result, the individual voltage converter designs vary greatly.

Additionally, the delays of the individual voltages coming up will be different for each converter. This results in uncontrolled ramp-up in the different voltage domains, which can lead to functional problems and damage to the system.

Thus, generally, a reliable power-up sequence is required to ensure that each voltage reaches its target value at the right time. Often, a specific power-down sequence must also be followed for shutdown.

In systems with multiple supply voltages, the ability to monitor the different voltages may be important. What appears trivial in systems with just two voltage domains becomes very complex for numerous voltages. For this reason, many sequencer devices also have a built-in supervisor or voltage monitoring function.

Figure 2 shows an ADM1186-1 analog sequencer IC. It can control and monitor four voltage domains. Power-up and power-down of the voltages are performed through control of the enable (on/off) pins on the respective voltage converters. The turn-on times of the voltage converters can be adjusted by means of time delays using small capacitors. The respective output voltages are monitored via the corresponding monitor pins. When all voltages have been established, the sequencer circuit generates a power-good signal.

Analog sequencing solutions such as the ADM1186-1 are easy to use. They have all the functions required for systems with multiple voltages. They differ from digital sequencers in that they have less complex designs and require fewer digital monitoring functions in the system. For example, they can do without a PMBus or similar protocol.

In the example system shown in Figure 1, eight voltage domains are utilized. How can sequencing and monitoring be done for a system with more than four voltage domains? Multiple ADM1186-1 circuits can be combined in a sequence for this and any number of ADM1186-1 sequencers can be wired together.

Numerous examples of this type of sequencing with coupled individual sequencers can be found on the market. However, the ADM1186-1 stands out because it also supports complete sequencing during power-up, as well as power-down when used in a linked application, as shown in Figure 3. Comparable solutions can offer the possibility of linking various sequencer ICs, but they only offer controlled ramp-up of the individual voltages, not controlled down-sequencing—that is, power-down of the voltages, in such a daisy-chain constellation.

Reliable, monitored power-up and power-down are important in many modern systems and can be realized flexibly and with little development effort using solutions such as the ADM1186-1.

For further information on sequencing, please see the following:

Overview on analog sequencers.

Overview on digital sequencers.

Webcast: “Understanding Power System Management.”

Design Note 384: “Accurate Power Supply Sequencing Prevents System Damage.”