if the I/O pin is NC, is it better to choose 'bidirectional'

EDAboard.com Forum Index -> Microcontrollers -> if the I/O pin is NC, is it better to choose 'bidirectional'

Author

Message

ezra

Joined: 12 Feb 2006
Posts: 23
Helped: 1

03 May 2007 5:59 if the I/O pin is NC, is it better to choose 'bidirectional'

When the I/O pin has no connect, which one is better for port output mode as following:
1. Quasi-Bidirectional
2. Push-Pull
3. Input Only (High Impedance)
4. Open Drain

I have read from "P89LPC9221 User's Manual" as following:
Quasi-bidirectional output mode,
'One of these pull-ups, called the 'very weak' pull-up, is turned on whenever the port latch for the pin contains a logic 1. This very weak pull-up sources a very small current that will pull the pin high if it is left floating'.

So if the I/O pin is no connect, is it better to choose 'quasi-bidirectional'?

Thanks & regards.

ldanielrosa

Joined: 24 Feb 2007
Posts: 71
Helped: 6

03 May 2007 16:41 if the I/O pin is NC, is it better to choose 'bidirectional'

I think I understand your question. You want to properly terminate unused pins?

If you have space to do so, the safest option is to connect them to one of the power rails through a high value resistor with the pin defined as an input. This way if code gets lost and redefines the pin function the load is minimal.

Leaving the pin unconnected and using an internal "weak pull-up" is almost as good, and uses less resource. The liability is that if code gets lost the WPU may get deactivated.

The last option that I've heard recommended is to leave the pin unconnected and define it as an output.

The greatest sin is to leave unused pins floating as inputs. This allows them to wander into ambiguous territory and the input amplifiers will consume excessive current.

Google
AdSense
Google Adsense

03 May 2007 16:41 Ads

viks

Joined: 08 Oct 2005
Posts: 40
Helped: 2

03 May 2007 21:34 if the I/O pin is NC, is it better to choose 'bidirectional'

As above poster said Bidirectional and Input are not good option to go with.
Try to avoid leaving unconnected.
But if you want to leave it that way Leave it as Output.

tr_pic

Joined: 21 Dec 2006
Posts: 25
Helped: 2

04 May 2007 3:57 Re: if the I/O pin is NC, is it better to choose 'bidirectio

consider
http://techref.massmind.org/techref/logic/xtrapins.htm

Regards
Tiru

ezra

Joined: 12 Feb 2006
Posts: 23
Helped: 1

07 May 2007 3:43 Re: if the I/O pin is NC, is it better to choose 'bidirectio

Thanks for all reply.

I/O port pins on the LPC series can be used both as an input and output.
Please see the port mode circuit below.

How's it can configured just as an output?

Sorry, but you need login in to view this attachment

jayavardhan

Joined: 01 Sep 2006
Posts: 125
Helped: 3
Location: India

07 May 2007 9:19 if the I/O pin is NC, is it better to choose 'bidirectional'

Pull up that pin with supply voltage.

ezra

Joined: 12 Feb 2006
Posts: 23
Helped: 1

07 May 2007 9:25 Re: if the I/O pin is NC, is it better to choose 'bidirectio

But I have finished to design PCB.
What kind of configurations for the port mode when the I/O is no connect?

1. Bidirectional
2. Push-Pull
3. Input Only (High Impedance)
4. Open Drain

Thanks & regards.

IanP

Joined: 05 Oct 2004
Posts: 6490
Helped: 1542
Location: West Coast

07 May 2007 12:26 Re: if the I/O pin is NC, is it better to choose 'bidirectio

Configure these pins as quasi-bidirectional outputs and don't worry about them any more ..

Regards,
IanP

ezra

Joined: 12 Feb 2006
Posts: 23
Helped: 1

08 May 2007 2:04 Re: if the I/O pin is NC, is it better to choose 'bidirectio

Dear IanP,
Please help me to decribe why configure these pins as quasi-bidirectional outputs when the I/O is no connect.
Thanks & regards.

IanP

Joined: 05 Oct 2004
Posts: 6490
Helped: 1542
Location: West Coast

08 May 2007 2:45 Re: if the I/O pin is NC, is it better to choose 'bidirectio

Here is the reason:

Quote:

Quasi-bidirectional output type can be used as both an input and output without the need to reconfigure the port. This is possible because when the port outputs a logic HIGH, it is weakly driven, allowing an external device to pull the pin LOW. When the pin is driven LOW, it is driven strongly and able to sink a fairly large current.

As you can see, pins configured that way have internal pull-ups active and can be "shorten" to either 0V od +Vdd without damage, and one other thing: don't forget to write a "1" into them ..

Regards,
IanP

ezra

Joined: 12 Feb 2006
Posts: 23
Helped: 1

08 May 2007 3:05 Re: if the I/O pin is NC, is it better to choose 'bidirectio

Dear IanP,

'One of these pull-ups, called the 'very weak' pull-up, is turned on whenever the port latch for the pin contains a logic 1. This very weak pull-up sources a very small current that will pull the pin high if it is left floating'.

What's mean 'left floating' on above statement?

Thanks & regards,
Andika

IanP

Joined: 05 Oct 2004
Posts: 6490
Helped: 1542
Location: West Coast

08 May 2007 3:41 Re: if the I/O pin is NC, is it better to choose 'bidirectio

In this context "left floating" may only man "NOT CONNECTED TO ANYTHING" ..
However, this internal weak pullup is strong enough to firmly hold the logic level "H" and in the same time does not consume much current ..
And that's all what you are after ..

Regards,
IanP

ezra

Joined: 12 Feb 2006
Posts: 23
Helped: 1

09 May 2007 3:37 Re: if the I/O pin is NC, is it better to choose 'bidirectio

Dear IanP,

I have asking to NXP and the answer is:

NXP Semiconductors answer:
Greetings,
There is no hard and fast rule on this but in most cases it is better to leave them as inputs. The inputs are Schmidt triggered and have weak pull-ups so they should not float up & down drawing extra current.
-Dave

The second mail after I explain your answer:
NXP Semiconductors answer:
That fine too. There is no single right answer. If you put them in input mode there is no chance of damaging the pin should it be accidentally shorted HIGH or LOW as well. In quasi mode if you accidentally write a low as a output and it is shorted HIGH externally you can damage the part. If it is set as an input and software accidentally writes to the port it will not potentially fight like in the previous example for quasi mode.

Whatever makes you most comfortable is the best answer in this case.
-Dave

How's about your opinion?

Thanks & regards.