# US 10,371,748 B2 · Monitoring communication link in powered-up device for synchronization point sequence

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- Number: US 10,371,748 B2
- Document ID: US10371748B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/696,687
- Filed: 2017-09-06
- Published: 2017-12-21
- Granted: 2019-08-06
- Earliest claimed: 2007-06-07
- Assignees: Texas Instruments Incorporated
- Applicants: Texas Instruments Incorporated
- Inventors: Gary L. Swoboda
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10371748B2

## CPC

- G01R 31/3177: Testing of logic operation, e.g. by logic analysers
- G01R 31/317: Testing of digital circuits
- G06F 1/12: Synchronisation of different clock signals {provided by a plurality of clock generators}
- G06F 1/3206: Monitoring of events, devices or parameters that trigger a change in power modality
- G06F 11/221: {to test buses, lines or interfaces, e.g. stuck-at or open line faults}
- G06F 11/2284: {by power-on test, e.g. power-on self test [POST]}
- G06F 11/267: Reconfiguring circuits for testing, e.g. LSSD, partitioning
- H04L 7/046: {using a dotting sequence}
- G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12)
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M)

## Abstract

A method comprises a system comprising a host device coupled to a first remote device actively operating according to a state diagram that the host device and all remote devices follow during operation of the system. The method further comprises powering up a second remote device while the host device and first remote device are actively operating according to the state diagram. The second remote device waits for a synchronization point sequence. Upon detecting the synchronization point sequence, the second remote device implements a predetermined feature set and synchronizes itself to the state diagram at a common point as the host device and first remote device.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A process of operating a system comprising:
(a) operating a state machine controller in a first device by receiving clock signals, mode signals, and data in signals on a communication link, and sending data out signals on the communication link;
(b) monitoring the communication link in the first device for a synchronization point sequence;
(c) powering up a state machine controller in a second device coupled to the communication link;
(d) monitoring the communication link in the second device for the synchronization point sequence;
(e) upon receiving the synchronization point sequence in the first device and the second device, synchronizing the states of the state machines in the first and second devices; and
(f) operating the state machine controller in the first device and the state machine controller in the second device by receiving clock signals, mode signals, and data in signals on the communication link, and sending data out signals on the communication link.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The process of claim 1 in which the operating a state machine controller in the first device includes operating the state machine through states of TEST LOGIC RESET, RUN TEST/IDLE, SELECT-DR, AND SELECT-IR.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The process of claim 1 in which the operating the state machine controller in the first device and the state machine controller in the second device includes operating the state machines through states of TEST LOGIC RESET, RUN TEST/IDLE, SELECT-DR, AND SELECT-IR.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The process of claim 1 in which the powering up the state machine of the second device includes setting the state machine of the second device in a known state.