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US6954879B1
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Method and apparatus for communicating configuration data for a peripheral device of a microcontroller via a scan path
Assignee: GlobalFoundries Inc
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Filing: 2003-09-12
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Granted: 2005-10-11
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Expires: 2023-09-12
Abstract
Abstract A microcontroller has many internal peripheral devices. The peripheral devices are coupled to a scan path. A memory storage device that is external to the microcontroller is also coupled to the scan path. When commanded, data is shifted out of each device configuration register onto the scan path and stored in the external memory device. This is particularly useful for obtaining the states of each device without bringing down the application. Furthermore, configuration data stored in external memory can be loaded into the peripheral device configuration registers via the scan path. This invention also supports zero-volt suspend/resume which does not need extra software readable shadow registers which are often required in other architectures for reading back the current state of legacy registers which are read-only.
Inventors
- 👤 David F. Tobias
- 👤 Richard G. Russell
- 👤 Mark T. Ellis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 14:58
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/28; G01R31/317; G01R31/3181; G01R31/3185; G01R31/318533; G01R31/318536
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
A microcontroller, comprising: an execution unit; a peripheral device coupled to the execution unit, the peripheral device comprising configuration registers; a means for defining a scan path comprising the configuration registers and for communicating configuration data for the peripheral device; and a means for saving the configuration data via the scan path.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
52 words
A microcontroller, comprising: an execution unit; a peripheral device coupled to the execution unit, the peripheral device comprising configuration registers; a means for defining a scan path comprising the configuration registers and for communicating configuration data for the peripheral device; and a means for saving the configuration data via the scan path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
A microcontroller, comprising: an execution unit; a peripheral device coupled to the execution unit, the peripheral device comprising configuration registers; a means for defining a scan path comprising the configuration registers and for communicating configuration data for the peripheral device; and a means for loading the configuration data via the scan path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
A microcontroller, comprising: an execution unit; a peripheral device coupled to the execution unit, the peripheral device comprising configuration registers; a means for defining a scan path comprising the configuration registers and for communicating configuration data for the peripheral device; and a means for loading the configuration data via the scan path.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
55 words
A method of saving configuration data for a peripheral device of a microcontroller, the method comprising the steps of: detecting a command to save configuration data for a peripheral device of a microcontroller; and saving the configuration data via a scan path comprising a configuration register of the peripheral device in response to the command.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
55 words
A method of saving configuration data for a peripheral device of a microcontroller, the method comprising the steps of: detecting a command to save configuration data for a peripheral device of a microcontroller; and saving the configuration data via a scan path comprising a configuration register of the peripheral device in response to the command.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein the saving step is performed prior to placing the microcontroller in a reduced power mode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein the saving step is performed periodically.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein the configuration register comprises an internal register of the peripheral device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein the configuration register comprises a read-only register.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
55 words
A method of loading configuration data for a peripheral device of a microcontroller, the method comprising the steps of: detecting a command to load configuration data for a peripheral device of a microcontroller; and loading the configuration data via a scan path comprising a configuration register of the peripheral device in response to the command.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
55 words
A method of loading configuration data for a peripheral device of a microcontroller, the method comprising the steps of: detecting a command to load configuration data for a peripheral device of a microcontroller; and loading the configuration data via a scan path comprising a configuration register of the peripheral device in response to the command.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the loading step occurs prior to resumption of activity by the microcontroller.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the configuration register comprises an internal register of the peripheral device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the configuration register comprises a write-only register.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2008-10-10 | 2009-04-11 | 2009-10-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-10-10 | 2013-04-11 | 2013-10-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-10-10 | 2017-04-11 | 2017-10-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |