This section provides an overview for watchdog timers as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 11 watchdog timer manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked watchdog timer companies as of November, 2024: 1.ACCES I/O Products, Inc., 2.Scribd Inc., 3.ITM Components.
Table of Contents
A Watchdog Timer (WDT) is an electronic circuit designed to monitor and respond to malfunctioning or abnormal behavior in programmable devices like microcontrollers. It serves as a fail-safe by issuing an interrupt signal to reset the system in case of irregular operations.
WDTs are widely used in various devices controlled by microcontrollers, including digital gadgets like smartphones, home appliances, industrial robots, and automobiles. These devices operate on predefined programs, which, despite thorough debugging, can sometimes behave unpredictably due to unexpected errors or peripheral malfunctions. In critical systems, such as those in vehicles and aircraft, WDTs are crucial for preventing serious accidents by ensuring prompt system resets.
The WDT works by continuously counting a preset time interval. If it receives a reset signal from the CPU within this interval, it restarts the count. However, if no reset signal is received within the specified time, it assumes an abnormal state and triggers an interrupt to reset the microcontroller. This mechanism helps in detecting system malfunctions, especially when a program deviates from its intended operational state.
Some WDTs also offer adjustable timing settings through external capacitance, providing flexibility in monitoring system performance.
While most microcontrollers come with built-in WDTs, external WDTs are recommended for systems requiring higher reliability. This is because built-in WDTs might not detect abnormalities occurring before their activation. External WDTs are especially important in safety-critical systems like aircraft to provide an additional layer of fail-safe operation.
WDTs offer different operation modes to cater to various system requirements:
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Incorporated in 1965, Analog Devices, Inc. designs, manufactures, tests, and markets integrated circuits (ICs), software, and subsystems that leverage analog, mixed-signal, and digital signal processing technologies. The company provides data converter products, power management and reference products for power conversion, driver monitoring, sequencing, and energy management applications in the automotive, communications, industrial, and high-end consumer markets. In addition, the company provides digital signal processing and system products for high-speed numeric calculations. It serves clients in the industrial, automotive, consumer, instrumentation, aerospace, and communications markets.
ACCES I/O Products, Inc. was established in 1987 and is based in San Diego, California as a manufacturer and supplier of sensor and I/O solutions. The company’s product portfolio includes analog, digital, serial, isolated, wireless, and computer-on-module products, among others. The sensor and I/O products offered by the company are vital components in measurement and feedback systems, enabling accurate and dependable sensing. The products are used in various industries such as aerospace, automotive, industrial, medical, and motorsport.
Scribd Inc., founded in 2007 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, is a supplier and provider of ebooks and learning materials. The company is a digital library and subscription service offering access to a vast collection of books, audiobooks, magazines, and documents. The platform allows users to read, listen, and explore a diverse range of content across various genres and topics. The company’s subscription model provides unlimited access to its extensive library, making it a choice for readers and learners worldwide. It is partnered with companies such as Simon & Schuster, WILEY, MACMILLAN, and HarperCollins.
Nisshinbo Micro Devices Inc., established in 1959, and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer of semiconductors and electronic components. The company specializes in producing integrated circuits, discrete semiconductors, optoelectronic devices, which caters to industries such as telecommunications, automotive, and consumer electronics. The company holds ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 certifications, ensuring quality in their products which are used for various applications, including wireless communication, automotive systems, and industrial automation, providing crucial electronic components for advanced technologies in various industrial and commercial sectors.
ST Micro Electronics is a global semiconductor company serving customers with innovations to have a positive impact on people's lives. Their product line is micro electronic systems, such as switches, controllers, sensors and drivers. The main selling point of ST Micro Electronics is its provision of sustainable products, and introducing their electronics to create a more sustainable world. The company, as well as providing the electronic devices, also provides software and support, ensuring that all fields are covered to provide a fully provide a supported and strong relationship with their customer base. ST Micro Electronics believe that technology plays a key role in helping to solve environmental and social challenges, which is why their semiconductor technologies start with their employees, their customers and partners.
Advanced Micro Controls, Inc. (AMCI), founded in 1985 and headquartered in Terryville, Connecticut, USA, is a manufacturer of industrial control products. The company specializes in enhancing PLC-based automation systems with its specialized position sensing and motion control technology. It offers PLC network products with uniform motion programming, specialty I/O devices such as relay boards and sensor interfaces, and position sensing equipment, including heavy-duty rotary shaft sensors. Additionally, the company provides motion control solutions that can be seamlessly integrated into existing systems.
ABLIC, Inc. is a manufacturer of analog semiconductors and integrated circuits (ICs) based in Minato-ku, Tokyo. Originally established in 2016, the company is a subsidiary of Seiko Instruments, Inc., and was renamed SII Semiconductor Corporation in 2018. The company produces memory, logic, and power management ICs, as well as various sensors for use in mobile computers, industrial equipment, wearable tech, and automotive systems. These supply clients in the consumer electronics, factory automation, and medical equipment industries.
RS Components Ltd. is a distributor of electrical components, founded in 1937 and located in Corby, Northamptonshire. Their product range includes, but is not limited to, electronic connectors, cables, wires, as well as enclosures, relays, and switches. The company serves multiple industries, including Food & Beverage, Marine, Electronics, Automotive, and more. Worldwide delivery requirements are accommodated with support for multiple freight options, and the company also specializes in hazardous packaging compliant with IATA standards.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | ACCES I/O Products, Inc. |
33.3%
|
2 | Scribd Inc. |
11.1%
|
3 | ITM Components |
11.1%
|
4 | Advanced Micro Controls, Inc. |
11.1%
|
5 | Analog Devices, Inc. |
11.1%
|
6 | Tindie, Inc. |
5.6%
|
7 | Nisshinbo Micro Devices Inc. |
5.6%
|
8 | ABLIC Inc. |
5.6%
|
9 | STMicroelectronics |
5.6%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the watchdog timer page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 4 | 66.7% |
Japan | 1 | 16.7% |
United Kingdom | 1 | 16.7% |