Configurable event selection for microcontroller timer/counter unit control
AssigneeRenesas Electronics America Inc.
InventorJon Matthew Brabender
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for dynamically controlling functional aspects of an MCU. In one embodiment an MCU includes a central processing unit (CPU), a memory for storing instructions executable by the CPU, and a T/C channel coupled to receive control values generated by CPU and M event signals, wherein M is an integer greater than 1. The T/C channel is configured to select one or more of the M event signals based on the one or more of the control values. The T/C channel is configured to generate a control signal as a function of the selected one or more of the M event signals. A function of the T/C channel can be controlled by the control signal.
Claims20
A microcontroller comprising:
- a central processing unit (CPU);
- a memory for storing instructions executable by the CPU;
- first and second input pins for receiving first and second external event signals, respectively, from one or more devices that are external to the microcontroller;
- a first timer/counter (T/C) channel coupled to receive control values generated by the CPU in response to executing the instructions, the first external event signal, and the second external event signal;
- wherein each of the first and second external event signals is a binary signal that can transition between a first state and a second state;
- wherein the first T/C channel is configured to generate a plurality of event signals based on the first event signal or the second external event signal;
- wherein the first T/C channel is configured to select one of the plurality of event signals based on one or more of the control values;
- wherein the first T/C channel is configured to generate a first control signal as a function of the selected event signal;
- wherein a first function of the first T/C channel can be controlled by the first control signal.
A microcontroller comprising:
- a central processing unit (CPU);
- a memory for storing instructions executable by the CPU;
- first and second input pins for receiving first and second external event signals, respectively, from one or more devices that are external to the microcontroller;
- a first timer/counter (T/C) channel coupled to receive a control value generated by the CPU in response to executing the instructions, the first external event signal, and the second external event signal;
- wherein each of the first and second external event signals is a binary signal that can transition between a first state and a second state;
- wherein the first T/C channel is configured to generate an event signal as a function of the first and second external event signals;
- wherein the generated event signal depends on the control value;
- wherein the first T/C channel is configured to generate a first control signal as a function of the generated event signal;
- wherein a first function of the first T/C channel can be controlled by the first control signal.
A microcontroller comprising:
- a central processing unit (CPU);
- a memory for storing instructions executable by the CPU;
- an input pin for receiving an external event signal from a device that is external to the microcontroller;
- a first timer/counter (T/C) channel coupled to receive a control value generated by the CPU in response to executing the instructions, and the external event signal;
- wherein the external event signal is a binary signal that can transition between a first state and a second state;
- wherein the first T/C channel is configured to generate an event signal as a function of the external event signal;
- wherein the generated event signal depends on the control value;
- wherein the first T/C channel is configured to generate a first control signal as a function of the generated event signal;
- wherein a first function of the first T/C channel can be controlled by the first control signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.