On-chip input/output device having programmable I/O unit being configured based upon internal configuration circuit
US5974476A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 12, 1997 |
| Grant date | Oct 26, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 12, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01R31/3181
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An input/output (I/O) device with programmable I/O characteristics is provided for use on an integrated circuit to serve as a communication interface whose input/output characteristics can be set through programmable means to be matched to the external circuitry to which the IC chip is connected for use. This allows the IC chip on which the I/O device is provided to be matched for use with various kinds of external systems. Further, the I/O device can also be provided with a self-control feature that can detect whether the I/O characteristics of the I/O device are matched to the external circuitry and, if not, automatically set the I/O device to the required I/O characteristic. The I/O device can prevent an IC chip from being discarded due to a mismatch in the I/O characteristics with the external circuitry to which the IC chip is connected for use.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.