WDOG – Watchdog Timer

Quick Facts

What?

The Watchdog Timer is available in Energy Mode 0 to Energy Mode 3 and resets the system in case of a fault condition. It can be enabled in all energy modes as long as the low frequency clock source is enabled.

Why?

If a software failure or external event renders the MCU unresponsive, a Watchdog timeout will reset the system to a known, safe state.

How?

An enabled Watchdog Timer implements a configurable timeout period. If the CPU fails to re-start the Watchdog Timer before it times out, a full system reset will be triggered. The Watchdog consumes insignificant power, and allows the device to remain safely in low energy modes for up to 32 seconds at a time. Failures may be caused by e.g. an external event, such as an ESD pulse, or by a software malfunction.