Flexible interrupt system for an integrated circuit

An integrated circuit having a plurality of pads for providing a plurality of input/output ports through which signals can be coupled to a microcontroller, and including an embedded microcontroller for responding to interrupt request signals from on-chip components or from off-chip components, comprising:

• interrupt logic means for receiving interrupt request signals from on-chip components and for prioritizing said interrupt request signals in a predetermined manner, and for routing such requests to said microcontroller;
• and
• an interrupt pad circuit means coupled to said interrupt logic means to receive interrupt request signals from said on-chip components, and also coupled to at least one of said input/output ports to receive signals from said off-chip components, and for providing such interrupt signals to said embedded microcontroller, wherein said interrupt pad circuit includes a first node coupled to receive interrupt request signals from components located on-chip, and for receiving interrupt request signals from off-chip components, wherein the on-chip interrupt request signal is detectable at the at least one of said input/output ports connected to the node.