Although microprocessors are often considered the “brains” of a control system, they need a well regulated power supply and constant supervision for consistent operation. The system designer must choose between building these supervisory functions using discrete circuitry, a microprocessor supervisory IC, or a regulator which has the supervisory functions included. This article examines each of the common supervisory functions required in a microprocessor control system and shows how they are integrated into a Smart Regulator to provide a complete system solution.