Static information storage and retrieval – Floating gate – Multiple values
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-31
2001-02-06
Dinh, Son T. (Department: 2824)
Static information storage and retrieval
Floating gate
Multiple values
C365S045000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06185127
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the field of integrated circuit, and particularly to a configurable integrated circuit employing nonvolatile memory.
2. Description of Related Art
Power management integrated circuit market is growing rapidly for applications ranging from telecommunications, wireless devices, adaptive automotive systems, home appliances, to Internet security. Power management chips operate cooperatively with microprocessors for controlling various functions on a system. Consumer electronics, handheld devices, and desktop computers may require an integrated circuit to have different analog specifications and signal couplings with external chips.
Conventional power management chips provide outputs with digital values without analog output capabilities. For example, many analog functions require transistors to operate at a higher voltage than the typically 5 volts in a digital system. Other conventional power management chips provide separate integrated circuit device for each voltage level. More recently, manufacturers trim various internal reference voltages during wafer fabrication by burning fuses or via laser beams, which are limited to a one-time modification. None of these solutions are ideal due to their functional limitations and reduction in yield counts.
Accordingly, it is desirable to have a power management chip that provides an integrated circuit with configurable analog functions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention discloses a configurable integrated circuit that enables a manufacturer or a customer to select the characteristics of analog functions and analog outputs for communication with external chips. The configurable integrated circuit employs nonvolatile (NV) memory with programmable bits including electrically erasable cells (E
2
cells), for customizing a specific circuit configuration. Activation or de-assertion of NV bits trims or selects analog functions including internal voltage thresholds, reset circuits, watchdog timers, voltage sensors, bandgap, and oscillating frequencies. NV bits also control a combination of analog circuits into digital outputs.
In an alternate embodiment, pin assignments on a configurable integrated circuit can be programmed through configuration registers. Pin assignments are directed to analog operations, such as programming pins to a no connect (electrically isolated), a watchdog timer reset input, and an active low drain output responding to a secondary voltage.
The use of NV registers provide the capability for programming multiple times in altering analog functions and settings. For example, a mother board can be assembled first in which a power management chip is programmed to with a set of analog functions and settings. The reverse is also applicable. A power management chip is first inserted on a mother board, where resistance and capacitance values can be adjusted or substituted to attain functional operation.
Optionally, the configurable integrated circuit contains actual analog circuits and functions that are selected by programming the nonvolatile memory, as opposed to a blank chip such as a blank ASIC. For example, the configurable integrated circuit is designed to include four power management channels. If one of the four power management channels is not used, the unused power management channel is disabled, while the other three power management channels are enabled.
Advantageously, the present invention reduces costs by trimming internal voltages during a final manufacturing test or board level test of an integrated circuit chip. The present invention also advantageously provides a fast turnaround time by changing analog functions in a device configuration by programming nonvolatile memory. Furthermore, the present invention allows a customer to qualify one part for use with different and customized application.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5764560 (1998-09-01), Lee et al.
patent: 5838610 (1998-11-01), Hashimoto
patent: 5844841 (1998-12-01), Takeuchi et al.
patent: 6011715 (2000-01-01), Pasotti et al.
Adkins Kenneth C.
Myers Theodore M.
Orlando Richard V.
Palm Richard A.
Dinh Son T.
Fernendez & Associates, LLP
Summit Microelectronics Inc.
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