Setting/driving circuit for use with an integrated circuit logic unit having multi-function pins
US6148398A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 5, 1999 |
| Grant date | Nov 14, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 5, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F1/22
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A setting/driving circuit is provided for use in conjunction with an IC logic unit, such as a CPU having one or more multi-function pins, to provide two or more sets of data, such as a set of parameter data and a set of control data, via the same multi-function pins to the CPU. The setting/driving circuit includes a tri-state buffer and a parameter setting unit composed of two resistors and a switch, such as a jumper. When the tri-state buffer is disabled, the parameter data set by the switch is transferred to the multi-function pin of the CPU. On the other hand, when the tri-state buffer is enabled, the input data to the input port of the tri-state buffer is transferred to the multi-function pin of the CPU. The tri-state buffer can be integrated within the chip set without having to increase the total number of pins on the chip set so that the layout complexity on the motherboard can be simpler and thus easier to assemble compared to the prior art. Therefore, the proposed setting/driving circuit is easier and more cost-effective to implement on a computer motherboard than the prior art.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.