Communication cell for an integrated circuit, chip comprising said communication cell, electronic system including the chip, and test apparatus
US8773162B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 29, 2010 |
| Grant date | Jul 8, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 29, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01L2924/13091
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An embodiment of communication cell for enabling data communication between an integrated circuit and an electronic unit distinct from the integrated circuit, comprising a contact pad unit, configured for capacitively coupling, in a first operating condition of said communication cell, to the electronic unit for receiving an input signal from said electronic unit, and for ohmically coupling, in a second operating condition of said communication cell, to the electronic unit for receiving the input signal; a receiver device, including signal-amplifying means, coupled between said contact pad unit and said integrated circuit, configured for receiving the input signal and generating an intermediate signal correlated to the input signal; signal-selection means receiving the intermediate signal, the input signal, and providing an output signal which is the intermediate signal during the first operating condition, and the input signal during the second operating condition; and an input stage, connectable between the integrated circuit and the output terminal of the signal-selection means, configured for receiving the output signal and providing the output signal to the integrated circuit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.