AVR-Chat

Hello,

"Long time listener, first time caller."

I've taken on an ATmega16-based project.  One of the requirements is
that I need to write up to 3 bytes of data to EEPROM in a potentially
electrically noisy environment.  I've never used its EEPROM before, but
it looks relatively uncomplicated.

My client has another product in a similar application which has been
causing them a lot of grief with random EEPROM write errors, presumably
due to noise glitches.  (They use the built-in Brown Out feature  -
both trigger settings produced the same results.)  Obviously, this needs
to be solved with this new product.

Here's the approach I suggested to them - feel free to shoot it down.
I've asked them to add a voltage divider before the regulator.  Run it
through a Schmitt Trigger to an input pin on the '16.  I've also asked
that they beef up the regulated voltage filtering to ensure at least 50
mSec of adequate power to carry it through a total drop out of the
supply.  (8.3 mSec, minimum, per EEPROM erase/write cycle times 3 bytes
of data = 25 mSec ... then double it for peace of mind.)  Before writing
the 1, 2, or 3 bytes of data, I'll check the status of the pin - if low,
I won't do the write(s).

I'm open to suggestions.  If you have a better approach or a
bullet-proof algorithm, please enlighten me.

Thanks!

Gary.