Isolator with complementary configurable memory

US8441325B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Silicon Laboratories Inc. · US

Inventors

• Phil A. Callahan · Austin, US
• Ahsan Javed · Austin, US
• Zhiwei Dong · Austin, US
• Axel Thomsen · Austin, US
• Donald E. Alfano · Round Rock, US
• Timothy J. Dupuis · Austin, US
• Ka Y. Leung · Austin, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 30, 2009
• Grant date: May 14, 2013
• Expiry date: Jan 23, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04B2203/5491
• WIPO field: Semiconductors
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

An isolator that includes first and second substantially identical circuitry galvanically isolated from each other and each having at least one communications channel thereon for communicating signals across an isolation boundary therebetween and each of said first and second circuitry having configurable functionality associated with the operation thereof. A coupling device is provided for coupling signal across the isolation boundary between the at least one communication channels of the first and second circuitry. First and second configuration memories are provided, each associated with a respective one of the first and second circuitry. First and second configuration control devices are provided, each associated with a respective one of the first and second circuitry and each configuring the functionality of the associated one of the first and second circuitry. The first and second configurable memories have stored therein complementary configuration information to control each of the functionalities of the first and second circuitry to operate in a complementary manner for communication of signals across the isolation boundary.