Resistively programmable interface for an analog device
AssigneeTexas Instruments Incorporated
InventorsAndrew Marshall, Frank L. Thiel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A resistively programmable interface for controlling an analog device such as a solenoid or lamp comprises input circuitry having a plurality of nodes, measuring circuitry for determining voltages and currents at the nodes, and controlling circuitry for operating the device in accordance with the measured voltages and currents.
Claims27
A resistivity programmable interface for controlling an analog device, the interface comprising:
- input circuitry having a plurality of input nodes;
- sensing circuitry for sensing the voltages and currents at said nodes;
- and
- controlling circuitry for generating control signals, each control signal responsive to one of said sensed voltages or currents such that the number of control signals exceeds the number of nodes at which voltages and currents are sensed.
A method of controlling an analog device with an interface, the interface comprising a network of three resistive devices, the devices coupled in a triangular configuration, the network comprising three nodes, the first node coupled to a first known voltage level, the second and third nodes coupled to the interface, the method comprising the steps of:
- switching a second reference voltage to the second node;
- sensing the voltage at the third node and the current at the second node;
- generating a first current level determined by the voltage at the third node;
- maintaining the first current level for a period of time, the period of time determined by the current at the second node;
- switching the second reference voltage to the third node;
- sensing either the voltage at the second node or the current at the third node;
- and
- generating a second current level after the period of time, the second current level determined by either the voltage drop at the third node or the current at the second node.
An interface for controlling an analog device the interface comprising:
- input circuitry for accepting three resistive devices, said resistive devices coupled in a triangular configuration, said configuration comprising three nodes, said first node coupled to a voltage level, the second and third nodes coupled to said input circuitry;
- control circuitry for switching a first reference voltage between the second and third nodes and for sensing the currents and voltages at said second and third nodes;
- driver circuitry operable to generate a first selected current level for a selected period of time and a second selected current level, said current levels and period of time determined by said sensed currents and voltages.
A method of controlling an analog device with an interface, the interface comprising a plurality of input nodes, the method comprising the steps of:
- switching a reference voltage to a first of the nodes;
- sensing the voltages and the currents at certain of the nodes;
- switching the reference voltage to a second node;
- sensing the voltages and the currents at certain of the nodes;
- and
- generating control signals responsive to the sensed voltages and currents such that the number of control signals exceeds the number of nodes at which voltages and currents are sensed.
A programmable interface for controlling an analog device, comprising:
- first and second programming nodes for coupling to a programming circuit;
- a first circuit for generating a first control signal in response to a first electrical parameter at said first programming node;
- a second circuit for generating a second control signal in response to a second electrical parameter at said first programming node;
- a third circuit for generating a third control signal in response to a first electrical parameter at said second programming node;
- a first switching circuit responsive to said second control signal for selecting one of said first and third control signals;
- and
- a circuit for producing an output signal in response to the selected one of said first and third control signals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.