Apparatus and methods for programming multiple parameters per pin of an integrated circuit
AssigneeAnalog Devices, Inc.
InventorsArmando Presti, Gregory J. Manlove, Douglas Huhmann
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods for programming multiple parameters per pin of an IC are disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, system operation parameters of an IC are set using external component(s) in conjunction with an internal detection circuit of the IC. The internal detection circuit allows for programming of multiple parameters with one pin of the IC, thereby reducing package size, board area, and/or chip complexity. For example, the teachings herein allow for detection of three or more unique parameters or states per pin, significantly reducing the part pin count and board area.
Claims20
A circuit board comprising:
- one or more passive components;
- and
- an integrated circuit (IC) comprising:
- a sense input pin connected to the one or more passive components;
- a memory configured to store one or more parameters of the IC;
- and
- a voltage and impedance sensing circuit configured to program, based on a measurement signal, the one or more parameters into the memory, the voltage and impedance sensing circuit including a controllable current source configured to control a current of the sense input pin, and a voltage measurement circuit configured to generate the measurement signal indicating a voltage of the sense input pin affected by the one or more passive components, wherein the one or more passive components are external to the IC.
An integrated circuit (IC), comprising:
- a sense input pin configured to connect to one or more passive components that are external to the IC;
- a memory configured to store one or more parameters of the IC;
- and
- a voltage and impedance sensing circuit configured to program, based on a measurement signal, the one or more parameters into the memory, the voltage and impedance sensing circuit including a controllable current source configured to control a current of the sense input pin, and a voltage measurement circuit configured to generate the measurement signal indicating a voltage of the sense input pin affected by the one or more passive components.
A method of programming an integrated circuit (IC), the method comprising:
- controlling a current of a sense input pin of the IC using a controllable current source of the IC, the sense input pin connected to one or more passive components that are external to the IC;
- generating a measurement signal indicating a voltage of the sense input pin using a voltage measurement circuit of the IC, the voltage of the sense input pin affected by the one or more passive components;
- and
- programming one or more parameters of the IC into a memory of the IC based on the measurement signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.