Controller for Multiple Sensor Types in an SoC
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsRobert S. Brandt, II, Bruno W. Garlepp, Ke Yun, Navin Kumar, Jafar Savoj
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A universally-designed control circuit for communicating with multiple types of sensors is disclosed. For example, a control circuit may communicate with either ring oscillator-based sensors or BJT-based sensors based on programming implemented in the control circuit. The control circuit may include programmable communication protocol circuits for communicating with the sensors and conversion circuits that convert a particular type of sensor data packet into a generic format. The generic format sensor data may then be utilized by a power management unit or other device to control operation of an integrated circuit.
Claims20
A sensor interface circuit, comprising:
- a first sensor control circuit coupled to a first plurality of sensors of a first type, wherein the first sensor control circuit includes:
- a first communication protocol circuit configured to communicate with the first type of sensor using a first protocol;
- and
- a first conversion circuit configured to convert sensor data from the first plurality of sensors to a generic format;
- a second sensor control circuit coupled to a second plurality of sensors of a second type, wherein the second sensor control circuit includes:
- a second communication protocol circuit configured communicate with the second type of sensor using a second protocol;
- and
- a second conversion circuit configured to convert sensor data from the second plurality of sensors to the generic format;
- and
- a transmission circuit coupled to the first sensor control circuit and the second sensor control circuit, wherein the transmission circuit is configured to output the sensor data in the generic format.
A method comprising:
- receiving, at a first sensor control circuit, first sensor data from a first plurality of sensors of a first type, wherein the first sensor control circuit communicates with the first type of sensor using a first protocol;
- converting, at the first sensor control circuit, the first sensor data to a generic format;
- receiving, at a second sensor control circuit, second sensor data from a second plurality of sensors of a second type, wherein the second sensor control circuit communicates with the second type of sensor using a second protocol;
- converting, at the second sensor control circuit, the second sensor data to the generic format;
- and
- outputting the first sensor data and the second sensor data in the generic format.
An integrated circuit device, comprising:
- a plurality of sensors distributed in the integrated circuit device, the plurality of sensors including a first set of serially connected sensors of a first type and a second set of serially connected sensor of a second type;
- a plurality of sensor control circuits, wherein two or more of the sensor control circuits include:
- a communication protocol circuit configured to communicate with a given set of serially connected sensors, and
- a conversion circuit configured to convert sensor data from a specified set of serially connected sensors to a generic format;
- wherein a first of the two or more sensor control circuits is programmed to communicate with the first set of sensors using a first specified protocol and convert sensor data from the first set of sensors to the generic format;
- wherein a second of the two or more sensor control circuits is programmed to communicate with the second set of sensors using a second specified protocol and convert sensor data from the second set of sensors to the generic format;
- and
- a transmission circuit coupled to the plurality of sensor control circuits, wherein the transmission circuit is configured to output the sensor data in the generic format.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.