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INA231

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SBOS644B – FEBRUARY 2013 – REVISED AUGUST 2017

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Feature Description (continued)

Refer to Figure 21 to see the relative timing of when the value in the Alert Limit register is compared to the

corresponding converted value. For example, if the alert function that is enabled is Shunt Voltage Over Limit

(SOL), following every shunt voltage conversion the value in the Alert Limit register is compared to the measured

shunt voltage to determine if the measurements have exceeded the programmed limit. The AFF bit (D4,

Mask/Enable register) asserts high any time the measured voltage exceeds the value programmed into the Alert

Limit register. In addition to the AFF bit being asserted, the ALERT pin is asserted based on the Alert Polarity bit

(APOL, D1, Mask/Enable register). If the Alert Latch is enabled, the AFF bit and ALERT pin remain asserted until

either the Configuration register is written to or the Mask/Enable register is read.

The bus voltage alert functions (BOL and BUL, Mask/Enable register) compare the measured bus voltage to the

Alert Limit register following every bus voltage conversion and assert the AFF bit and ALERT pin if the limit

threshold is exceeded.

The power overlimit alert function (POL, Mask/Enable register) is also compared to the calculated power value

following every bus voltage measurement conversion and asserts the AFF bit and ALERT pin if the limit

threshold is exceeded.

The alert function compares the programmed alert limit value to the result of each corresponding conversion.

Therefore, an alert can be issued during a conversion cycle where the averaged value of the signal does not

exceed the alert limit. Triggering an alert based on this intermediate conversion allows for out-of-range events to

be detected faster than the averaged output data registers are updated. This fast detection can be used to create

alert limits for quickly changing conditions through the use of the alert function, as well as to create limits to

longer-duration conditions through software monitoring of the averaged output values.