Data communication interface for processing data in low power systems

A method for transferring data between a microprocessor and one or more sensors, the method comprising:

• retrieving, from a sensor register, a value identifying which of the one or more sensors is a selected sensor for communication over at least one pin, the at least one pin being operably coupled to the microprocessor and the one or more sensors;
• generating a read command based on the sensor register and transmitting the read command to the selected sensor;
• upon detection of a trigger condition, receiving, from the selected sensor, a predetermined number of sensor values, wherein the predetermined number of the sensor values is received while maintaining active a single communication session with the selected sensor over the at least one pin;
• and
• transmitting processed data to an on-chip memory, the processed data being generated based at least in part on the sensor values, wherein the on-chip memory is accessible by the microprocessor.

An apparatus for transferring data between a microprocessor and one or more sensors, the apparatus comprising:

• means for retrieving, from a sensor register, a value identifying which of the one or more sensors is a selected sensor for communication over at least one pin, the at least one pin being operably coupled to the microprocessor and the one or more sensors;
• means for generating a read command based on the sensor register, and transmitting the read command to the selected sensor;
• means for detecting a trigger condition;
• means for, upon detecting the trigger condition, receiving, from the selected sensor, a predetermined number of sensor values, wherein the predetermined number of the sensor values is received while maintaining active a single communication session with the selected sensor;
• and
• means for transmitting processed data to an on-chip memory, the processed data being generated based at least in part on the sensor values, wherein the on-chip memory is accessible by the microprocessor.

A method for transferring data between a microprocessor and one or more sensors, the method comprising:

• retrieving, from a sensor register, a value identifying which of the one or more sensors is a selected sensor for communication over at least one pin, the at least one pin being operably coupled to the microprocessor and the one or more sensors;
• generating a read command based on the sensor register and transmitting the read command to the selected sensor;
• upon detection of a trigger condition, receiving, from the selected sensor, a predetermined number of sensor values, wherein the predetermined number of the sensor values is received while maintaining active a single communication session with the selected sensor over the at least one pin;
• generating clock signals;
• identifying the selected sensor based on a low signal or a high signal received over at least one chip select pin, wherein the maintaining active the single communication session with the selected sensor over the at least one pin comprises maintaining the at least one chip select pin at an active level;
• transmitting data to and/or receive data from the selected sensor;
• transmitting the clock signals to the selected sensor;
• and
• comparing a wait interval to the clock signals, wherein the detection of the trigger condition comprises detecting an expiration of the wait interval based on the comparing.