Patent · US Active

Method and apparatus for configuring an integrated circuit

US8618834B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
1References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 21, 2011
Grant dateDec 31, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 21, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH03K19/1732
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method and apparatus configures an integrated circuit by determining a multi-bit configuration value on a single node. The multi-bit configuration value is determined by using at least a voltage level at the single node and also by detecting a time to reach a voltage threshold level at the single node, based on a voltage ramp generation circuit. The method and apparatus also includes configuring an operation mode of a circuit in the integrated circuit based on the determined multi-bit configuration value from the single node. Multi-bit configuration values may be obtained on multiple single nodes in an integrated circuit. In one example, a voltage level is employed in addition to a time to reach a voltage threshold level whereas in another example a current level on a single node is utilized in combination with detection of a time to reach a voltage threshold level.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.