WO2016057566A1

WO2016057566A1 - Integrated circuit with external resistance detection

Info

Publication number: WO2016057566A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/054309
Authority: WO
Inventors: Faruk Jose Nome SILVA
Original assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated; Texas Instruments Japan Limited
Priority date: 2014-10-06
Filing date: 2015-10-06
Publication date: 2016-04-14
Also published as: EP3205024B1; CN107078739B; CN107078739A; US20160099643A1; EP3205024A1; JP2017531986A; EP3205024A4

Abstract

In described examples, a power supply circuit is configured to control an output voltage (Vout) based on detecting whether an external resistance network (Rtop/Rbot) is connected to an input pin (210). The power supply circuit is configured to control the output voltage (Vout) based on a voltage measured at the input pin (210), where the voltage at the input pin (210) is used for providing a feedback voltage in a control loop (235, 225). Based on the voltage at the input pin (210), the power supply circuit is configured to detect the existence of a resistance network external to the single input pin (210). If the external resistance network is detected, the power supply circuit is configured to generate the output voltage (Vout) based on a feedback voltage generated by the external resistance network (Rtop/Rbot) at the input pin (210). If no external resistance network is detected, the power supply circuit is configured to generate the output voltage (Vout) based on a feedback voltage generated by an internal resistance network (Rtopint/Rbotint).

Description

INTEGRATED CIRCUIT WITH EXTERNAL RESISTANCE DETECTION

[0001] This relates generally to regulated power supplies, and more particularly to configuration of power output by a regulated power supply.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Electronic devices rely on power supply components to provide a regulated amount of power in accordance with the requirements and limitations of the electronic device. Power supplies typically receive an input power supply and are configured to output a regulated supply of power. In many cases, a power supply converts a high-voltage input, such as mains power, to a regulated low-voltage output suitable for powering electronic devices. In other cases, a power supply converts battery power to a regulated voltage. The output voltage that is generated by a power supply is determined based on the specifications of the electronic device to be powered.

[0003] Many electronic devices are designed to operate with regulated power supplies, which are designed to generate only the specific fixed output voltage used by the device. Based on the voltage that is required by an electronic device, a conventional fixed-voltage power supply is selected that has been designed to output this particular required voltage. If a different voltage is required, then a different fixed-voltage power supply is selected that is capable of supplying the required voltage. This use of different fixed-voltage power supply designs, which are customized to generate different specific output voltages, requires a power supply manufacturer to support a large number of power supply models. This also requires electronic device manufacturers to qualify each different power supply model to incorporate it into their designs.

[0004] Instead of providing a different power supply component for every supported fixed output voltage, an adjustable power supply can be configured to support a range of output voltages. Adjustable voltage outputs by a power supply may be supported via an input pin of the power supply, so the output voltage is set based on the voltage detected at the input pin. In this manner, an adjustable power supply can be configured to support multiple different output voltages.

[0005] Conventional adjustable output and conventional fixed output power supplies are not interchangeable. A device designed to work with a fixed output power supply does not include the circuitry required to specify an adjusted output voltage.

[0006] Conventional power supplies that are capable of supporting both fixed and adjustable output devices do so by providing at least two input pins to the power supply. One pin may specify a feedback voltage for use in the control loop of power supply, and another pin may specify if a fixed output voltage is to be provided by the power supply.

SUMMARY

[0007] In described examples of a power supply circuit, the output voltage of the power supply is configured based on a control loop feedback voltage provided at an input pin to the power supply circuit. Based on the input pin voltage, the power supply is configured to detect whether a resistance network exists, external to the input pin. The power supply is configured to detect the existence of external resistance network by alternating between attempts to pull the feedback voltage to a high level and to low level. Based on the response to the pull-up and pull-down attempts at the input pin voltage, the power supply determines whether an external resistance network exists in the control loop. If an external resistance network is detected, the power supply is configured to generate the output voltage specified by the resistance network at the input pin. If no external resistance network is detected, the power supply is configured to generate a default output voltage. In this manner, the power supply can be configured to generate various output voltages using a single input pin.

[0008] According to one aspect of a power supply circuit and a method of configuring the output voltage of a power supply, the power supply includes: a regulator operable to convert an input voltage to an output voltage and further operable to set the output voltage based on a feedback voltage provided via a feedback loop; an input pin operable to receive an input pin voltage; and a detection circuit operable to set the feedback voltage based on the detection of a resistance connected external to the input pin, wherein the resistance is detected based on the input pin voltage.

[0009] According to additional aspects, the detection circuit may be further operable to set the feedback voltage to a default output voltage, if no external resistance is detected. The detection circuit may be further operable to set the feedback voltage to the input pin voltage, if an external resistance is detected. The detection circuit may be further operable to set the feedback voltage to a reference voltage of the power supply, if an external resistance is detected and the input pin voltage has a predefined value. The detection circuit may include an internal resistance network specifying the default output voltage, where the feedback voltage is set to the default output voltage by connecting the internal resistance network to the feedback loop. The detection circuit may be enabled during a test mode that expires after a predefined interval.

[0010] According to additional aspects, the detection circuit may further include: a pull-up circuit operable to apply a first pulse in the output current of the power supply and further configured to detect a first change in the input pin voltage in response to the first pulse; and a pull-up latch operable to record whether the first change is detected in the input pin voltage. According to additional aspects, the detection circuit may further include: a pull-down circuit operable to apply a second pulse in the output current of the power supply and further configured to detect a second change in the input pin voltage in response to the second pulse; and a pull-down latch operable to record whether the second change is detected in the input pin voltage. An external resistance may be determined to be connected to the input pin if the pull-up latch records the detection of the first change in the input pin voltage, and if the pull-down latch records the detection of the second change in the input pin voltage. The duration of the first pulse may be selected based on a capacitance connected external to the input pin

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram depicting certain components of a conventional adjustable power supply that is configured using a voltage divider.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of certain components of a power supply according to one aspect of example embodiments, the power supply including a default detection circuit for detection of an external resistance network.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of certain components of a power supply, according to another aspect of example embodiments, the power supply having detected no external resistance network and generating a default output voltage.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of certain components of a power supply, according to another aspect of example embodiments, the power supply having detected an external resistance network specifying an output voltage.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of certain components of a power supply, according to another aspect of example embodiments, the power supply having detected an external resistor specifying the use of the power supply reference voltage.

[0016] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a detection component configured to determine whether an external resistance exists in the feedback control loop.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Preferably, a single power supply would be capable of supporting devices designed to operate with both fixed and adjustable output voltages. At least some power supply manufacturers may prefer to use a single power supply capable of operating with both fixed and adjustable output devices, while only having to provide one pin as an input to the power supply.

[0018] FIG. 1 depicts certain components of a conventional adjustable switched mode power supply (SMPS) that receives an input voltage V_IN and generates a regulated output voltage VOU_T to a load 105. The conventional power supply of FIG. 1 uses a voltage divider to specify the output voltage VOU_T required by load 105. The output voltage VOU_T is also provided as an input to the power supply via an input pin 135, thus creating a feedback loop used by the power supply to regulate the output voltage VOU_T- The output voltage provided to input pin 135 is determined based on the voltage requirements of load 105 and is set using a voltage divider including R_Top and RBOT-

[0019] The voltage provided to the input pin 135 is then provided to a comparator component 130 that is configured to provide feedback voltage to the control loop of the power supply. As another input, the comparator component 130 receives a reference voltage V_REF, which is the lowest regulated voltage that is supported by the power supply. A typical reference voltage is IV. The comparator component 130 is configured to output either the voltage received from the input pin 135 or the reference voltage V_REF as a feedback voltage, depending on which input is greater. This ensures that the power supply will not generate an output voltage that is lower than the reference voltage V_REF-

[0020] The conventional power supply of FIG. 1 is a switched mode power supply that implements a buck regulator using control loop 125 to generate a pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal. The PWM signal is used by switching logic 120 to generate alternating low- side and high- side signals. These alternating signals are used by a driver 115 to generate gate signals that control switching elements to convert the input voltage Vi_N to a lower voltage signal, which is smoothed to generate an output voltage VOU_T suitable for powering the load 105.

[0021] The output voltage VOU_T, generated by the adjustable power supply, is determined based on the output of the network of resistors used as the input the feedback loop. In the conventional power supply of FIG. 1, the output voltage VQU_T is specified using a voltage divider implemented by series resistors R_TO_P and R_BO_T- Configured in this manner, the output voltage of the power supply of FIG. 1 is:

RtOO

Vou = Vre f * { 1. + ^' )

' ^■ Rhot

[0022] As described above, certain electronic devices are configured to operate with power supplies that generate only the specific fixed output voltage required by the device. However, conventional adjustable output and conventional fixed output power supplies are not interchangeable. For example, if a device designed to operate with a fixed voltage power supply (and thus not including an R_TO_P and R_BO_T resistor network) is connected to the conventional adjustable power supply of FIG. 1 , the power supply will only generate a reference voltage output. The conventional adjustable power supply requires the device to specify any output voltage other than the reference voltage.

[0023] The only fixed voltage that can be supported using the conventional adjustable power supply of FIG. 1 is the reference voltage V_REF- However, the reference voltage V_REF is the lowest regulated voltage that is supported by the power supply. This reference voltage is not a commonly used output voltage. Accordingly, the conventional adjustable power supply of FIG. 1 is not suitable for use as a fixed- voltage power supply without the power supply providing: (a) a first input pin to detect an adjustable voltage signal; and (b) a second pin to detect a fixed voltage signal. A need exists for an adjustable power supply that can be used in both fixed and adjustable voltage designs, while only requiring one pin be provided as in input by the power supply.

[0024] FIG. 2 depicts a circuit diagram of certain components of a switched mode power supply that illustrates aspects of example embodiments. In the power supply of FIG. 2, a switching regulator 200 is used for converting an input voltage V_IN to a lower output voltage VOU_T, suitable for powering load 205. The power supply is configured to provide load 205 with either a default fixed output voltage or an output voltage adjusted to a voltage specified by the device. The power supply generates a fixed default output voltage if no output voltage adjustments have been specified by the device, indicating that the load 205 is configured to operate using the default output voltage of the power supply. The power supply determines whether to generate the default fixed output voltage or the requested adjusted output voltage, based on the input to a single input pin 210 of the power supply. [0025] The power supply of FIG. 2 includes a default detection circuit 235 that determines whether an adjusted output voltage or the default output voltage has been specified for use by the load 205. If an adjusted output voltage is specified, a resistor network external to the default detection circuit 235 exists in the feedback control loop. The external resistor network is configured to adjust the voltage at the input pin 210 of the power supply. If no external resistor network exists, this indicates that the device is designed to operate with a fixed output voltage, in which case the power supply outputs the default output voltage. The default detection circuit 235 senses whether an external resistor network exists, in order to determine whether to output an adjusted output voltage specified by the device or the default output voltage. The default detection circuity 235 uses a detection component 215, which implements a testing procedure to sense whether an external resistance network is connected to the input pin 210. The details of the detection component 215 are provided below with respect to FIG. 6.

[0026] In the power supply of FIG. 2, a resistor network external to the default detection circuit 235 exists in the form of the voltage divider implemented using R_TOp and RBOT- The voltage divider formed by RTOP and RBOT is connected as an input to the power supply input pin 210. If no external resistor network, such as the RTOP and RBOT voltage divider, is detected by the detection component 215, then the default detection circuit 235 uses an internal network of resistors to set the default output voltage to be generated. In the power supply of FIG. 2, the internal resistor network includes a voltage divider implemented by RTOPINT and RBOTINT- If no external resistance network is detected, the detection component 215 signals the internal resistance network to generate a default output voltage.

[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates a scenario, according to one aspect of example embodiments, where a switching regulator 300 is used for converting an input voltage Vi_N to a lower output voltage VOUT, suitable for powering load 305. In the power supply of FIG. 3, no external resistor network exists, and the power supply responds by generating a default output voltage. Without an external resistor network, the input pin 3 10 receives the output voltage VOUT as an input. The detection component 3 15 of the default detection circuit 335 determines that the voltage at the input pin 3 10 is the output voltage VOUT- In response, the detection component 3 15 outputs a signal indicating that the default output voltage is to be generated by the power supply. This signal configures a switch element 330 of the default detection circuit 335 to connect the internal resistance network to the feedback control loop of the power supply. In FIG. 3, the internal resistance network includes a voltage divider implemented by RTOPINT and RBOTINT- The comparator component 325 determines that the default output voltage generated by the internal resistor network is greater than the reference voltage and outputs the default voltage to the feedback control loop of the power supply. Configured in this manner, the power supply generates a default output voltage specified by:

Rtopint

Vout = Vref * (1 +—— :—

Rbotmf

[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates a scenario, according to one aspect of example embodiments, where a switching regulator 400 is used for converting an input voltage Vi_N to a lower output voltage VOUT, suitable for powering load 405. In the power supply of FIG. 4, an external resistor network is provided by the device, and the power supply responds by generating the adjusted output voltage specified by the external resistor network. The adjusted output voltage is specified in FIG. 4 by a voltage divider implemented by R_TOP and RBOT- This adjusted output voltage is provided to the power supply via input pin 410. This input is processed by the detection component 415 of the default detection circuit 435. The detection component 415 determines that an external resistance is connected to input pin 410, such that power supply is to generate the adjusted output voltage specified at the input pin 410 by the voltage divider.

[0029] Upon detection of the external resistance, the adjusted output voltage from pin 410 is output by the detection component 415 to comparator component 425. Upon verification that the adjusted output voltage is greater than the reference voltage of the power supply, the comparator component 425 outputs the adjusted voltage, thus configuring the feedback loop of the power supply. Because an adjusted output voltage has been specified instead of the default output voltage of the power supply, the detection component 415 does not enable the internal resistance network component of the default detection circuit 435. Instead, the detection component 415 connects the external resistance network, including the voltage divider implemented by RTOP and RBOT, to the feedback control loop of the power supply.

[0030] FIG. 5 illustrates another aspect of example embodiments, by which the power supply is configured to output the advertised reference voltage of the power supply. Like the power supplies of the figures discussed hereinabove, the power supply of FIG. 5 uses a switching regulator 500 to convert an input voltage VIN to a lower output voltage VOUT, suitable for powering load 505. In the power supply of FIG. 5, the network of resistors includes a single resistor R_TO_P, where the resistance of R_TO_P is selected to direct the default detection circuit 535 to set the output voltage to the reference voltage of the power supply. In certain aspects, R_TO_P is a mode-select resistor that has been agreed upon as directing the power supply to output its advertised reference voltage as an output.

[0031] As with the voltage divider resistance network of FIG. 3, the detection component 515 measures the voltage at the input pin 510 and determines that a resistance exists in the feedback control loop. In FIG. 5, the voltage drop at the input pin created by R_TO_P is recognized by the detection component 515 as signaling the use of the reference voltage by the electronic device. When the specific voltage associated with R_TO_P is detected at the input pin 510, the detection component 515 outputs a default detect signal that disconnects the internal resistance network from the feedback control loop. The detection component 515 outputs the reference voltage, which is recognized by the comparator component 525 as an indication to connect the reference voltage to the feedback control loop. In certain aspects, R_TO_P may be selected to generate the reference voltage at the input pin 510.

[0032] FIG. 6 illustrates an implementation of a detection component that operates in accordance with the above descriptions of this component. The detection component receives the feedback voltage provided by the electronic device at the input pin 605. Based on this input pin voltage, the detection component determines whether an external resistance network exists in the feedback control loop, indicating that the electronic device has been configured to specify an output voltage to be generated by the power supply. As described, in certain aspects, the existence of particular external resistance in the feedback control loop indicates that the electronic device requires the reference voltage of the power supply. If no external resistance is detected (indicating an electronic device that is configured to operate with a fixed-output power supply), the detection component generates an output 610 signaling the generation of a default output voltage by the power supply.

[0033] The detection component uses pull-up and pull-down logic to determine whether the input pin voltage 605 has been adjusted using an external resistance network or whether the input pin voltage 605 is the output voltage of the power supply. In certain aspects, a test mode is initiated, during which the detection component tests the input pin voltage 605 to determine whether a resistance network exists. A test mode is initiated via a test signal 630 that connects the pull-up and pull-down logic to the input pin voltage 605, thus activating the pull-up and pull-down logic.

[0034] Test mode may be used during initialization of the power supply. In many aspects, test mode during initialization is sufficient. In other aspects, post-start up test modes can be initiated. The initiation of the test mode results in the commencement of a timer. After the timer expires, the test signal 630 disconnects the pull-up and pull-down logic from the feedback control loop, and the test mode ends. By enabling the pull-up and pull-down logic only during test mode, power is allowed to be conserved, and floating gate issues are avoided.

[0035] After the test mode has been initiated and the detection component is configured for testing of the input pin voltage 605, two consecutive pulses 625 are generated, namely: (a) one pulse to pull up the input pin voltage; and (b) another pulse to pull down the input pin voltage. The detection component uses resistor sense latches 635, 640 to determine whether the pull-up and pull-down attempts were successful. Upon being activated, each resistor sense latch 635,640 measures the response to a pulse at the input pin voltage 605 and compares the response against a reference signal.

[0036] Resistor sense latch 635 determines whether the pull-up was successful by measuring the input pin voltage 605 and comparing it against a reference signal, which specifies that an increase in voltage may be expected due to the existence of a resistance network in the feedback loop. During a pull-up attempt, the pull-up logic increases the current in the power supply output to determine whether the input pin voltage 605 is affected. If the resistor sense latch 635 determines the input pin voltage 605 has been pulled up as expected, with respect to the reference signal, the latch records a value indicating the pull-up attempt was successful.

[0037] If resistor latch 635 determines that pull-up was successful, this indicates that an external resistance network exists in the feedback loop. If no external resistance network exists, the detection component will be unable to pull-up the input pin voltage during the time allotted to a pull-up pulse. With reference to FIG. 3, where no external resistance network exists, a pulse in the current will be absorbed in charging COU_T and will not cause an increase in the input pin voltage until COU_T is fully charged. Because COU_T is typically a relatively large capacitor, COU_T will not fully charge during a testing cycle and thus prevent a pull-up attempt from succeeding. If any external resistance network exists in parallel with COU_T, such as in FIG. 4, then the detection component will be able to establish an increase in the input pin voltage in response to a pulse in the output voltage. [0038] Resistor latch 640 records the input pin voltage 605 and determines whether the pull-down was successful. Like the pull-up attempt, if no external resistance network exists, the detection component will be unable to pull-down the input pin voltage during the time allotted to a pull-down pulse. The use of pull-down logic allows the detection component to test the ability to affect the input pin voltage in situations where the output voltage is relatively high. As described hereinabove, if no external resistance network exists, the change in the output current of the power supply in a pull-down pulse will be masked by COU_T and will preclude a response in the input pin voltage during the testing cycle.

[0039] In certain aspects, timers are used for specifying the length of pull-down and pull-up test cycles. Upon activation of the test mode, a pull-up timer is activated. As described hereinabove, the detection component determines whether an expected increase occurs in the input pin voltage in response to a pulse in the output current of the power supply. Before the expiration of the pull-up timer, the resistor sense latch 635 samples its inputs and records whether the pull-up attempt was successful. Conversely, a pull-down timer specifies the duration of a pull-down attempt and is used for triggering the resistor sense latch 640 to sample its inputs and record whether the pull-down attempt was successful.

[0040] In certain aspects, the lengths of test cycles (during which pull-up and pull-down attempts are made) are configured based on capacitors existing in the feedback control loop. For example, certain regulators include a feedforward capacitor C_FF for use in improving the transient response of VOU_T- A feedforward capacitor is typically connected in parallel to R_TO_P and is coupled to COU_T- TO account for the feedforward capacitor in the feedback loop, the duration of the pull-up and pull-down pulses in a test cycle may be specified by:

TPULL > 3 * RPULL * CFF

where T_PULL is the length of the pull-up and pull-down pulses, R_PU_LL is the pull-up and pull-down resistance, and C_FF is the feedforward capacitance.

[0041] After successive pull-up and pull-down attempts have been completed, such that the input pin voltage 605 has been recorded by the resistor latches 635 and 640, the detection component determines the correct voltage for the power supply output to the electronic device. If the pull-down logic determines that the pull-down was successful, and if the pull-up logic determines that the pull-up was successful, this indicates that a resistance network is connected in the feedback control loop. The signals from each of the resistor latches 635 and 640, indicating whether the pull-up and pull-down attempts were successful, are inputs to an AND gate. The output from the AND gate is stored in default detection latch 645. If the recorded state held by default detection latch 345 indicates that a resistance network exists, the default detected signal 610 is deasserted, and the internal resistance network of the default detection circuit is not connected to the feedback loop. The input pin voltage 605 thus indicates the adjusted output voltage specified for use by the electronic device and is connected to the feedback control loop and used for specifying the output voltage of the power supply.

[0042] If either the pull-down attempt or the pull-up attempt fail, this indicates that no resistance network exists in the control loop, as the input pin voltage is determined to be the output voltage of the power supply. In this scenario, the inputs to the AND gate from each of the resistor latches 635, 640 results in a low output by the AND gate. This output is stored by the default detection latch 645, which asserts the default detected signal 610 to signal the connection of the internal resistance network to the feedback loop. The input pin voltage 605 thus indicates that the default output voltage, specified by the internal resistance network, is to be generated by the power supply.

[0043] In the aspects described above, the power supply is a voltage regulator, such as a buck converter, which serves as a DC-DC converter. Other applications may include low-dropout regulators, short-circuit detection components, and software pin detection components.

[0044] Modifications are possible in the described embodiments, and other embodiments are possible, within the scope of the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A switching power supply circuit operable to control the conversion of an input voltage to an output voltage, comprising:

a switch control circuit operable to provide transistor switching signals to set the output voltage based on a feedback voltage provided via a feedback loop;

an input pin operable to receive an input pin voltage; and

a detection circuit operable to set the feedback voltage based on the detection of a resistance connected external to the input pin, wherein the resistance is detected based on the input pin voltage.

2. The power supply circuit of claim 1, wherein the detection circuit is further operable to set the feedback voltage to a default output voltage, if no external resistance is detected.

3. The power supply circuit of claim 1, wherein the detection circuit is further operable to set the feedback voltage to the input pin voltage, if an external resistance is detected.

4. The power supply circuit of claim 1, wherein the detection circuit is further operable to set the feedback voltage to a reference voltage of the power supply, if an external resistance is detected and if the input pin voltage has a predefined value.

5. The power supply circuit of claim 2, wherein the detection circuit includes an internal resistance network specifying the default output voltage, and wherein the feedback voltage is set to the default output voltage by connecting the internal resistance network to the feedback loop.

6. The power supply circuit of claim 1, wherein the detection circuit includes: a pull-up circuit operable to apply a first pulse in the output current of the power supply and further configured to detect a first change in the input pin voltage in response to the first pulse; and a pull-up latch operable to record whether the first change is detected in the input pin voltage.

7. The power supply circuit of claim 6, wherein the detection circuit further includes: a pull-down circuit operable to apply a second pulse in the output current of the power supply and further configured to detect a second change in the input pin voltage in response to the second pulse; and a pull-down latch operable to record whether the second change is detected in the input pin voltage.

8. The power supply circuit of claim 7, wherein an external resistance is connected to the input pin if the pull-up latch records the detection of the first change in the input pin voltage and if the pull-down latch records the detection of the second change in the input pin voltage.

9. The power supply circuit of claim 1, wherein the detection circuit is enabled during a test mode that expires after a predefined interval.

10. The power supply circuit of claim 6, wherein the duration of the first pulse is selected based on a capacitance connected external to the input pin.

11. A method of configuring the output voltage of a power supply, the method comprising: setting an output voltage of the power supply based on a feedback voltage provided via a feedback loop;

measuring an input pin voltage at an input pin of the power supply;

detecting a resistance connected external to the input pin, wherein the resistance is detected based on the input pin voltage; and

setting the feedback voltage based on the detection of a resistance connected external to the input pin.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: setting the feedback voltage to a default output voltage, if no resistance is detected external to the input pin.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising: setting the feedback voltage to the input pin voltage, if a resistance is detected external to the input pin.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising: setting the feedback voltage to a reference voltage of the power supply, if a resistance is detected external to the input pin and if the input pin voltage has a predefined value.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the feedback voltage is set to the default output voltage by connecting an internal resistance network to the feedback loop.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising: applying a first pulse in the output current of the power supply; detecting a first change in the input pin voltage in response to the first pulse; and recording whether the first change is detected in the input pin voltage.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: applying a second pulse in the output current of the power supply; detecting a second change in the input pin voltage in response to the second pulse; and recording whether the second change is detected in the input pin voltage.

18. The method of claim 7, further comprising: determining that an external resistance is connected to the input pin if the first change in the input pin voltage is recorded in response to the first pulse and if the second change in the input pin voltage is recorded in response to the second pulse.

19. The method of claim 11, further comprising: detecting the external resistance during a test mode that expires after a predefined interval.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the duration of the first pulse is selected based on a capacitance connected external to the input pin.