ATmega169P datasheet(289/393 Pages) ATMEL

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289

8018N–AVR–08/09

ATmega169P

26.8.10

Preventing Flash Corruption

During periods of low V

CC, the Flash program can be corrupted because the supply voltage is

too low for the CPU and the Flash to operate properly. These issues are the same as for board

level systems using the Flash, and the same design solutions should be applied.

A Flash program corruption can be caused by two situations when the voltage is too low. First, a

regular write sequence to the Flash requires a minimum voltage to operate correctly. Secondly,

the CPU itself can execute instructions incorrectly, if the supply voltage for executing instructions

is too low.

Flash corruption can easily be avoided by following these design recommendations (one is

sufficient):

If there is no need for a Boot Loader update in the system, program the Boot Loader Lock

bits to prevent any Boot Loader software updates.

Keep the AVR RESET active (low) during periods of insufficient power supply voltage.

This can be done by enabling the internal Brown-out Detector (BOD) if the operating volt-

age matches the detection level. If not, an external low V

CC reset protection circuit can be

used. If a reset occurs while a write operation is in progress, the write operation will be

completed provided that the power supply voltage is sufficient.

Keep the AVR core in Power-down sleep mode during periods of low V

CC. This will pre-

vent the CPU from attempting to decode and execute instructions, effectively protecting

the SPMCSR Register and thus the Flash from unintentional writes.

26.8.11

Programming Time for Flash when Using SPM

The calibrated RC Oscillator is used to time Flash accesses. Table 26-5 shows the typical pro-

gramming time for Flash accesses from the CPU.

Table 26-5.

SPM Programming Time

Symbol

Min Programming Time

Max Programming Time

Flash write (Page Erase, Page Write, and

write Lock bits by SPM)

3.7 ms

4.5 ms

ATmega169P датащи(PDF) 289 Page - ATMEL Corporation