US 2013/0086283 A1 · INTERFACE SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH BACKWARD COMPATIBILITY

Abstract

An interface including first and second transport protocol circuitry, a memory and a mode controller. The interface includes first and second physical interface types which are both selectively enabled to interface a set of pads. The first transport protocol circuitry is operative with the first type physical interface in a first mode and the second transport protocol circuitry is operative with the second type physical interface in a second mode. The memory stores a mode value indicative of the operating mode. The mode controller enables one of the physical interface types and a corresponding transport protocol based on the mode value. The first mode is the default mode, and the mode controller enables dynamic transition to the second mode. An escape indication may be enabled during the second mode for dynamic transition back to the first mode. Programmable timing values may be used to facilitate mode transitions.

Claims21

Dependent claims

An interface, comprising:

a physical interface including a first type physical interface and a different second type physical interface which are both selectively enabled to interface a common set of pads;
first transport protocol circuitry operative with said first type physical interface in a first operating mode;
second transport protocol circuitry operative with said second type physical interface in a second operating mode;
a memory which stores a mode value indicative of one of said first and second operating modes;
and
a mode controller which enables said first type physical interface to operate with said first transport protocol circuitry in said first operating mode upon power up or reset, and which dynamically transitions to said second operating mode by disabling said first type physical interface and enabling said second type physical interface to operate with said second transport protocol circuitry when said second operating mode is indicated by said mode value.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Interface system and method with backward compatibility

Life of this patent

Interface system and method with backward compatibility

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21