Patent US5336951A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
← Back to Patent Explorer
US5336951A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Structure and method for multiplexing pins for in-system programming

Assignee: Lattice Semiconductor Corp
•
Filing: 1993-08-13
•
Granted: 1994-08-09
•
Expires: 2013-08-13
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract A structure and method for in-system programming of a programmable logic device are provided. The in-system programming structure provides one dedicated pin for in-system programming function, additional in-system programming pins are multiplexed with programmable input/output pins used in functional operations. When an enable signal is received at the dedicated pin, the multiplexed pins relinquish their roles as programmable input/output pin to become in-system programming pins. A state machine controls the programming steps. The in-system programming structure can be cascaded in a "daisy chain" fashion.

Inventors

  • 👤 Gregg R. Josephson
  • 👤 Ju Shen
  • 👤 Roy D. Darling
  • 👤 Chan-Chi J. Cheng

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-27 11:26
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K19/00; H03K19/02; H03K19/173; H03K19/1733; H03K19/1737; G; G06; G06F; G06F30/00; G06F30/30; G06F30/34

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim 82 words
An integrated circuit comprising: a mode pin for specifying alternatively a programming mode and a functional mode of said integrated circuit; a register for storing data under said functional mode; a plurality of pins each performing a programming function under programming mode and an input/output function under functional mode; and a program control unit for controlling programming of said integrated circuit under said programming mode, wherein, upon entering said programming mode, said program control unit keeps said data in said register unchanged.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 82 words
An integrated circuit comprising: a mode pin for specifying alternatively a programming mode and a functional mode of said integrated circuit; a register for storing data under said functional mode; a plurality of pins each performing a programming function under programming mode and an input/output function under functional mode; and a program control unit for controlling programming of said integrated circuit under said programming mode, wherein, upon entering said programming mode, said program control unit keeps said data in said register unchanged.
Claim 3
Independent Claim 87 words
A method for providing in-system programming in an integrated circuit comprising the steps of: specifying alternatively a programming mode and a functional mode of said integrated circuit using the states of a mode pin; maintaining unchanged the data of a register used under said functional mode; performing, under programming mode and under control of a program control unit of said integrated circuit, a programming function using a set of pins, said set of pins performing being pins used to perform an input/output function under said functional mode.
Claim 4
Independent Claim 87 words
A method for providing in-system programming in an integrated circuit comprising the steps of: specifying alternatively a programming mode and a functional mode of said integrated circuit using the states of a mode pin; maintaining unchanged the data of a register used under said functional mode; performing, under programming mode and under control of a program control unit of said integrated circuit, a programming function using a set of pins, said set of pins performing being pins used to perform an input/output function under said functional mode.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4918641A Cited
US4990800A Cited
US5023606A Cited
US4987325A Cited
US5023484A Cited
US5001368A Cited
US4975601A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1997-08-08 1998-02-07 1998-08-09 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2001-08-08 2002-02-07 2002-08-09 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2005-08-08 2006-02-07 2006-08-09 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag