Power reduction modes
ST10F276Z5
In normal running mode (that is when main VDD is on) the VSTBY pin can be tied to VSS
during reset to exercise the EA functionality associated with the same pin: the voltage
supply for the circuitries which are usually biased with VSTBY (see in particular the 32 kHz
oscillator used in conjunction with real-time clock module), is granted by the active main
VDD.
It must be noted that Standby mode can generate problems associated with the usage of
different power supplies in CMOS systems; particular attention must be paid when the
device I/O lines are interfaced with other external CMOS integrated circuits: if VDD of device
becomes (for example in Standby mode) lower than the output level forced by the I/O lines
of these external integrated circuits, the device could be directly powered through the
inherent diode existing on device output driver circuitry. The same is valid for the device
interfaced to active/inactive communication buses during Standby mode: current injection
can be generated through the inherent diode.
Furthermore, the sequence of turning on/off of the different voltage could be critical for the
system (not only for the device). The device Standby mode current (ISTBY) may vary while
VDD to VSTBY (and vice versa) transition occurs: some current flows between VDD and
VSTBY pins. System noise on both VDD and VSTBY can contribute to increase this
phenomenon.
20.3.1
Entering Standby mode
As already said, to enter Standby mode XRAM2EN bit in the XPERCON Register must be
cleared: this allows to freeze immediately the RAM interface, avoiding any data corruption.
As a consequence of a RESET event, the RAM Power Supply is switched to the internal
low-voltage supply V18SB (derived from VSTBY through the low-power voltage regulator).
The RAM interface will remain frozen until the bit XRAM2EN is set again by software
initialization routine (at next exit from main VDD power-on reset sequence).
Since V18 is falling down (as a consequence of VDD turning off), it can happen that the
XRAM2EN bit is no longer able to guarantee its content (logic “0”), being the XPERCON
Register powered by internal V18. This does not generate any problem, because the
Standby mode switching dedicated circuit continues to confirm the RAM interface freezing,
irrespective the XRAM2EN bit content; XRAM2EN bit status is considered again when
internal V18 comes back over internal standby reference V18SB.
If internal V18 becomes lower than internal standby reference (V18SB) of about 0.3 to 0.45 V
with bit XRAM2EN set, the RAM Supply switching circuit is not active: in case of a
temporary drop on internal V18 voltage versus internal V18SB during normal code execution,
no spurious Standby mode switching can occur (the RAM is not frozen and can still be
accessed).
The ST10F276Z5 core module, generating the RAM control signals, is powered by internal
V18 supply; during turning off transient these control signals follow the V18, while RAM is
switched to V18SB internal reference. It could happen that a high level of RAM write strobe
from device core (active low signal) is low enough to be recognized as a logic “0” by the
RAM interface (due to V18 lower than V18SB): The bus status could contain a valid address
for the RAM and an unwanted data corruption could occur. For this reason, an extra
interface, powered by the switched supply, is used to prevent the RAM from this kind of
potential corruption mechanism.