Design Description

This design uses a buffered digital potentiometer (digipot) to create a comparator with a programmable threshold value. A digipot with a buffered wiper provides higher load regulation. In this design, the integrated buffer will act as a comparator and the output of the digipot will act as the threshold for the comparator. Using a 256-tap digipot such as the TPL1401 allows for 8 bits of programmability for the comparator. The TPL1401 integrated buffer has an exposed feedback path via the feedback pin (FB) which will act as the voltage input to the comparator. All register settings can be saved using the non-volatile memory (NVM) on the TPL1401, meaning that the device can be used without a processor, even after a power cycle. This programmable comparator circuit can be used in applications such as appliances pumps and fans, cordless vacuum cleaners, video doorbells, or automotive battery management systems (BMS).