Common MCU self-identification information
AssigneeRenesas Electronics America Inc.
InventorsJon Matthew Brabender, Bernd Willi Westhoff
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Common microcontroller unit (MCU) self-identification information is disclosed. In one embodiment, an MCU is contained in a package. The MCU includes a central processing unit (CPU) and a non-volatile memory. This non-volatile memory stores information specific to the MCU and/or the package. The non-volatile memory also stores a common main program that, when executed by the CPU, accesses the information. The information enables the common main program to adapt itself to resources of the MCU and/or package that are identified in the information.
Claims19
A method comprising
- packaging a microcontroller unit (MCU), wherein the MCU comprises a non-volatile memory, wherein the non-volatile memory is configured to store a common main program,
- after the packaging, storing information in the non-volatile memory separate and apart from the stored common main program;
- wherein the information comprises information specific to the MCU;
- and
- wherein the MCU comprises a central processing unit (CPU) configured to read the information in response to executing instructions of the common main program,
- wherein the common main program is stored in a range of contiguous addresses in the non-volatile memory, and wherein storing the information in the non-volatile memory comprises storing the information at a dedicated address that is separate from the range of contiguous addresses at which the common main program is stored.
An apparatus comprising:
- a microcontroller unit (MCU) contained in a package;
- wherein the MCU comprises a central processing unit (CPU) and a non-volatile memory;
- wherein the non-volatile memory stores information specific to the MCU and the package;
- wherein the non-volatile memory is configured to store a common main program separately and apart from the stored information that, when executed by the CPU, results in access of the stored information by the common main program.
A method comprising:
- a central processing unit (CPU) of a microcontroller unit (MCU) executing instructions of a common main program that is stored in non-volatile memory of the MCU;
- the CPU reading information of a data object stored in the non-volatile memory in response to executing the instructions of the common main program;
- wherein the data object is separate and apart from the main program;
- wherein the data object comprises information specific to the MCU and a package into which the MCU is packaged.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.