Address range extension for a modular computer
US5613157A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 10, 1996 |
| Grant date | Mar 18, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 10, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F13/4291
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and method for accessing a multiplicity of memory devices connected to a serial bus of defined protocol and which a direct memory device selection range smaller than the number of memory devices. The memory devices are divided among microcontrollers which selectively enable one or more memory devices responsive to higher level addressing signals sent to the microcontrollers. Thereafter, selectively enabled groups of memory devices are accessed by applying the limited addressing range of the serial bus. The invention finds particular use in modularized systems where cost and complexity are significant considerations by extending the normal range of the chip select function to increase the memory device count beyond the standard bus protocol. A preferred embodiment uses EEPROM devices and an I.sup.2 C protocol bus.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.