Method and circuit for synchronizing a write operation between an on-chip microprocessor and an on-chip programmable analog device operating at different frequencies
US6950954B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 25, 2001 |
| Grant date | Sep 27, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 25, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F1/12
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
One embodiment of the present invention includes a microcontroller that enables its on-chip microprocessor to write data into a register of an on-chip programmable analog circuit even though the two circuits may be operating at different frequencies. Specifically, the microcontroller includes a write synchronization circuit that helps facilitate the write operation between these two circuits. For example, the write synchronization circuit is coupled to receive write cycle signals from the microprocessor and is also coupled to receive trigger signals based on a clocking signal received by the programmable analog circuit. Therefore, upon receiving a write cycle signal, the write synchronization circuit has the ability (if needed) to stall the microprocessor's operations until the optimum time for writing data into the register for controlling the programmable analog circuit. As such, the write synchronization circuit dynamically synchronizes the microprocessor's write operation with the programmable analog circuit's optimum timing condition for receiving data.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.