Addressing and communication for multiple-chip optical sensor arrays

A multi-device subsystem, comprising:

• a plurality of devices, each having at least one register, at least one clock input, at least on data input pin, at least one data output pin, at least one strobe-input pin, and at least one strobe-output pin, each said device clocking the state of said strobe-input pin through to said strobe-output pin when activated at said clock input, said devices being interconnected with said strobe-input and strobe-output pins jointly defining a daisy-chain relationship;
• wherein, in at least one logic state, each said device will, determine its own address whenever an active state is received at said respective data input pin thereof;
• wherein, in said one logic state, said devices will store said respective address within said register whenever said active state is received at said respective strobe-input pin;
• whereby, in said one logic state, each of said devices will successively store their own addresses as said active state is passed along the chain of said strobe-input pins.

A method for controlling a multi-device subsystem, comprising the step of:

• connecting a plurality of devices, each having a register, a data input pin, a data output pin and a clock input pin, said plurality of devices to receive clock and data signals over signal lines, said clock and data signals being transmitted in a serial format;
• wherein said devices comprise data input pins for determining respective device addresses;
• wherein said devices comprise strobe-input and strobe-output pins for determining when said respective device addresses are stored in said respective register, and said strobe-input and strobe-output pins connected to define a daisy-chain relationship;
• wherein upon being activated at said data input pin, said device address is determined, and is unique among all said devices.

A method for controlling a multi-device subsystem, comprising the step of:

• connecting a plurality of devices, each having at least one register, at least one clock input, at least on data input pin, at least one data output pin, at least one strobe-input pin at least one strobe-input pin, and at least one strobe-output pin, each said device clocking the state of said strobe-input pin through to said strobe-output pin when activated at said clock input, said devices being interconnected with said strobe-in and strobe-out pins jointly defining a daisy-chain relationship;
• wherein, in at least one logic state, each said device will determine its own address whenever an active state is received at said respective data input pin thereof;
• wherein, in said one logic state, said devices will store said respective address within said register whenever said active state is received at said respective strobe-input pin;
• whereby, in said one logic state, said each of said devices will successively store their own addresses as an active state is passed along the chain of said strobe-in pins.