Processor with embedded in-circuit programming structures
US6493788B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 15, 2000 |
| Grant date | Dec 10, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 15, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F8/65
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An architecture for an integrated circuit with in-circuit programming, allows for dynamically altering the in-circuit programming instruction set itself; as well as other software stored on the chip. The architecture is based on a microcontroller on an integrated circuit having two or more banks of embedded non-volatile memory arrays which store instructions, including an in-circuit programming instruction set. Using a control program stored on the device, the device interactively establishes an in-circuit programming exchange with a remote partner, and updates data and software, including the in-circuit programming instruction set, when needed. The processor and ICP code are responsive to an in-circuit programming update command to write a copy of the in-circuit programming set from a first memory array to a second memory array, and to cause the in-circuit programming to execute the in-circuit programming set from the second memory array to program the non-volatile memory cells of the first memory array with data from the external port.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.