Electronic – Using an open-collector output from one IC to trigger a level change on the input pin of another IC

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So my problem is simple: I have an IC that provides an output pin to alert you when some condition is met. The output pin is open-collector, high-impedance when active. I want to monitor this output on another IC (a microcontroller, specifically).

Is this as simple as having a pull-up on the output so when it's "on"… the level goes low and I just monitor for the high-to-low transition? I feel like I'm overthinking this, but it's not immediately setting off a light-bulb in my head.

Best Answer

Yes, all you have to do is to add a pull-up resistor to the open-collector output, provided that the other IC input doesn't need much current it will be OK.

The typical value for the pull-up resistor is 10 K.