Microcontroller with programmable embedded flash memory
US6009496A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 30, 1997 |
| Grant date | Dec 28, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 30, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C16/102
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An architecture for microcontroller with embedded flash memory is provided. The microcontroller allows the reprogramming of data into the embedded flash memory of the microcontroller to be performed on-board without having to dismount the entire IC package of the microcontroller from the circuit board and then use a dedicated writer to perform the write operation. The reprogramming operation can be initiated either by an external reprogramming-enable signal or an internal reprogramming-enable signal. When either of these two signals is generated, it causes an OR gate to output a high-voltage logic signal to a multiplexer to thereby cause the multiplexer to select a ROM unit for connection to the microprocessor unit. This allows the microprocessor unit to execute a reprogramming control routine stored in the ROM unit. The flash memory unit further stores a reprogramming detection/initialization routine which checks whether a flash reprogramming request signal is issued from the main-unit interface. With this microcontroller architecture, the reprogramming of data into the embedded flash memory can be performed on-board without having to laboriously dismount the microcontroller from …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.