The MCP9804 comes with user-programmable registers that provide flexibility temperature sensing applications. The registers allow user-selectable settings such as Shutdown or low-power modes and the specification of temperature Alert window limits and Critical output limits. When the temperature changes beyond the specified boundary limits, the MCP9804 outputs an Alert signal. The user has the option of setting the Alert output signal polarity as an active-low or active-high comparator output for thermostat operation, or as temperature Alert interrupt output for microprocessor-based systems. The Alert output can also be configured as a Critical temperature output only.