US 7,406,559 B2Granted

In-circuit programming architecture with processor, delegable flash controller, and code generator

AssigneeMacronix International Co., Ltd.

InventorsAlbert C. Sun, Jeon-Yung Ray, William Chen

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Abstract

An architecture for an integrated circuit with in-circuit programming allows real-time modification of the in-circuit programming code and other code stored on the chip. The architecture utilizes a microprocessor and control logic on an integrated circuit having a single non-volatile memory that stores instructions and data, such as in-circuit programming and user code, and input/output ports and related structure for exchanging data with an external device. Using in-circuit programming code stored on the chip, the chip interactively establishes an in-circuit programming exchange with an external device to update data and instructions including the in-circuit programming code. Input/output conflicts during in-circuit programming can be avoided by employing a code generator that supplies control routines to the microprocessor during at least part of the in-circuit programming operations. The code generator allows the in-circuit programming code to be updated in real time.

Claims29

Dependent claims

An apparatus for in-circuit programming of an integrated circuit, comprising:

a single non-volatile memory device comprising non-volatile memory cells on the integrated circuit that store instructions for execution by a microprocessor, the single non-volatile memory device containing in-circuit programming code for programming the single non-volatile memory device and user code for facilitating communication with an external device, wherein the in-circuit programming code can be reprogrammable and stored in a predetermined location of the single non-volatile memory device, and the user code can be stored in a location of the single non-volatile memory device that is different from the predetermined location;
a microprocessor configured to input instruction addresses to the single non-volatile memory device and to receive instructions from the single non-volatile memory device;
a delegable memory controller operatively coupled between the microprocessor and the single non-volatile memory device, the delegable memory controller being configured to receive an in-circuit program update command and to perform an in-circuit programming update function on the non-volatile memory cells of the single non-volatile memory device, whereby the microprocessor is relieved of performing the in-circuit programming update function;
and
a code generator operatively connected between the delegable memory controller and the microprocessor, the code generator being capable of providing instructions to be executed by the microprocessor;
wherein the single non-volatile memory device, the microprocessor, the delegable memory controller, and the code generator are on a same single chip;
wherein the microprocessor is configured to execute at least one control routine, which does not require the microprocessor to use the non-volatile memory device, provided by the code generator while the delegable memory controller performs the in-circuit programming update function.

4 more elements

An apparatus for in-circuit programming of an integrated circuit, comprising:

a microprocessor configured to execute a sequence of instructions;
communication means for transmitting digital data to and receiving digital data from an external device;
a single non-volatile memory device comprising non-volatile memory cells on the integrated circuit that store instructions for execution by the microprocessor, the single non-volatile memory device containing in-circuit programming code for programming the single non-volatile memory device and user code for facilitating communication with the external device, wherein the in-circuit programming code can be reprogrammable and stored in a predetermined location of the single non-volatile memory device, and the user code can be stored in a location of the single non-volatile memory device that is different from the predetermined location;
a memory controller for performing an in-circuit programming update function in lieu of the microprocessor performing the in-circuit programming update function, upon the memory controller being enabled by the microprocessor to perform the in-circuit programming update function;
and
a code generator for presenting instructions to the microprocessor without requiring the microprocessor to communicate with the single non-volatile memory device;
wherein the microprocessor, the communication means, the single non-volatile memory device, the memory controller, and the code generator are on a same single chip;
wherein the microprocessor is configured to execute at least one control routine, which does not require the microprocessor to use the non-volatile memory device, provided by the code generator while the memory controller performs the in-circuit programming update function.

5 more elements

A method for in-circuit programming of an integrated circuit, comprising:

receiving an in-circuit program or user code modification instruction from an initiator disposed externally to the integrated circuit to a microprocessor on the integrated circuit;
forwarding the modification instruction through the microprocessor to a delegable memory controller;
executing at least one control routine by the microprocessor wherein the microprocessor does not access a single non-volatile memory device during the executing;
performing a function of code updating wherein code contained within the single non-volatile memory device is programmed with data from the initiator under control of the delegable memory controller, the code within the single non-volatile memory device comprises an in-circuit programming code and a user code, the in-circuit programming code can be reprogrammable and stored in a predetermined location of the single non-volatile memory device, and the user code can be stored in a location of the single non-volatile memory device that is different from the predetermined location;
and
accessing at least a portion of the updated code with the microprocessor;
wherein the single non-volatile memory device, the microprocessor, and the delegable memory controller are on a same single chip;
wherein the executing of at least one control routine is preceded by forwarding at least one control routine that does not require the microprocessor to use the non-volatile memory device to the microprocessor from a code generator.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.