Electronic digital logic circuitry – Multifunctional or programmable – Having details of setting or programming of interconnections...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-17
2001-09-11
Tokar, Michael (Department: 2819)
Electronic digital logic circuitry
Multifunctional or programmable
Having details of setting or programming of interconnections...
C326S037000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06288567
ABSTRACT:
The invention relates to a device for setting operating parameters in a plurality of programmable integrated circuits. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for setting such operating parameters. Moreover, the invention relates to a programmable integrated circuit which allows such setting of operating parameters.
The product brochure “HAL800 Programmable Linear Hall Effect Sensor” Micronas Intermetall, Edition Aug. 24, 1998, describes a programmable integrated circuit in which operating parameters, for example the sensitivity, the filter response, the clamping voltage, the temperature characteristic and further parameters, can be set with the aid of an external controller. The magnetic field parameter detected by a Hall effect sensor is converted into an electrical voltage and output at the analog output. With the aid of the setting of the operating parameters, the integrated circuit with the Hall generator can be adapted intelligently to different ambient conditions. The setting of operating parameters is also referred to as a parameterization process.
It is conventional for an external calibration controller to be used for setting operating parameters in the integrated circuit, said controller being controlled by a microprocessor. This calibration controller transmits a digital data stream to the integrated circuit, said data stream being evaluated by the internal controller in the integrated circuit. In numerous applications, for example in the automobile industry, a plurality of programmable integrated circuits of the same type have to be provided on a single application object, for example on an engine of a motor vehicle. In a different application, for example in the test department, a multiplicity of identical programmable integrated circuits have to be tested simultaneously. In these cases, with the prior art, each programmable integrated circuit has to be individually connected to the calibration controller, and the digital data stream has to be transmitted individually to each integrated circuit. This procedure is laborious and confused, since a multiplicity of line paths have to be connected. In addition, the technical complexity is increased.
The object of the invention is to specify a device which enables the setting of operating parameters in a plurality of integrated circuits in a simple manner. Furthermore, the intention is to specify a method for simply setting operating parameters in a plurality of integrated circuits. Moreover, the intention is to specify a programmable integrated circuit with which the abovementioned device can be operated and the method can be carried out.
This object is achieved for a device by means of the features of claim
1
. Advantageous developments are specified in the dependent claims.
According to the invention, the inputs of a plurality of integrated circuits are connected to one another. Each output is passed separately to the external control unit. As a result of an inhibit control command being output, all the integrated circuits are put into a state in which they ignore the control commands arriving via the inputs. At the same time, all the outputs of the integrated circuits are inactivated, that is to say these outputs output no analog and digital signals which describe the state of the integrated circuit. Rather, control signals present at each output can now be received and evaluated by the respective internal controller. The external control unit selects one of the integrated circuits and feeds an enable control signal via the output of said integrated circuit. The internal controller identifies this enable control signal and cancels the latching. The digital data stream which is then sent to all the integrated circuits and serves for setting the operating parameters is now evaluated only by the selected and activated integrated circuit, that is to say the operating parameters thereof are set. All of the other integrated circuits remain in the latched state, that is to say they cannot evaluate the digital data stream. In this way, every integrated circuit can gradually be selected by the external controller and the operating parameters of the respective integrated circuit can be set. The invention makes it possible, in a clear arrangement, to perform the setting of operating parameters for a multiplicity of integrated circuits in a simple and clear fashion, the outlay on lines or electrical connections being low.
In a preferred exemplary embodiment, each integrated circuit has only a ground terminal, an input terminal and an output terminal, the supply voltage being fed via the input terminal. Each programmable integrated circuit thus has only three terminals, as a result of which the outlay on lines is reduced further. Since the output terminal has a dual function, namely firstly the outputting of analog and digital signals which describe the working state of the integrated circuit, and secondly the function of an input via which the enable control signal is fed, the total number of terminals does not have to be increased, but a demultiplexer function is nevertheless fulfilled.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a method for setting operating parameters in a plurality of programmable integrated circuits is specified in accordance with claim
10
. This method operates reliably, is clear and can be carried out in a simple manner.
An additional aspect of the invention relates to the structure of a programmable integrated circuit in accordance with claim
11
. This integrated circuit is suitable for the device and for carrying out the abovementioned method. On account of the abovementioned dual function of the output, the number of terminals required is small even though a demultiplexer function can be realized.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5336950 (1994-08-01), Popli et al.
patent: 6100715 (2000-08-01), Agrawal et al.
patent: 6114873 (2000-09-01), Sahraoui et al.
Harness & Dickey & Pierce P.L.C.
Le Don Phu
Micronas GmbH
Tokar Michael
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