IP Library Granted Patent US 7,761,689
Granted Patent B2
US 7,761,689 · App. 12/269,988 · Granted Jul 20, 2010

Programming a digital processor with a single connection

Assignee: Microchip Technology Incorporated
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,761,689
App. No.
12/269,988
Granted
Jul 20, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A digital processor is coupled to a processor programmer through a single programming connection (e.g., terminal, pin, etc.) coupled to the single conductor programming bus. The processor programmer comprises an instruction encoder/decoder, a Manchester encoder, a Manchester decoder, a bus receiver and a bus transmitter. The digital processor comprises an instruction encoder/decoder, a Manchester encoder, a Manchester decoder, a bus receiver, a bus transmitter, a central processing unit (CPU), and a program memory. The instruction encoder/decoder is coupled to the CPU and the program memory. The bus receivers and bus transmitters are coupled to the single conductor programming bus which is coupled to a connection, e.g., terminal, pin, ball, etc., on an integrated circuit package containing the digital processor. The instruction encoder/decoder is coupled to a programming console, e.g., a personal computer, workstation, etc.

Claims (16)

1. A method for programming a digital processor through a single bit connection, said method comprising the steps of:

sending for a predetermined time period a serial bit stream having a unique data pattern to indicate entry into a programming mode from a programmer to a digital processor through a single bit bus, wherein the digital processor enters into the programming mode after the predetermined time period and due to recognition of the unique data pattern indicating entry into the programming mode;

sending the serial bit stream having program instructions from the programmer to the digital processor through the single bit bus;

sending the serial bit stream having data from the programmer to the digital processor through the single bit bus; and

receiving the serial bit stream having the program instructions and the data by the digital processor from the single bit bus, wherein the digital processor stores the program instructions and the data in a memory of the digital processor;

wherein the steps of sending the serial bit stream having the program instructions and the data from the programmer to the digital processor through the single bit bus comprise the steps of:

encoding the program instructions and the data from the programmer into the serial bit stream;

sending the serial bit stream having the program instructions and the data to a single bit bus driver in the programmer, wherein the single bit bus driver is coupled to the single bit bus;

wherein the steps of receiving the serial bit stream having the program instructions and the data by the digital processor from the single bit bus comprise the steps of:

receiving the serial bit stream having the program instructions and the data with a single bit bus receiver in the digital processor, wherein the single bit bus receiver is coupled to the single bit bus;

decoding the program instructions and the data from the serial bit bus receiver; and

storing the decoded program instructions and the data into a program memory in the digital processor.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the serial bit stream is a Manchester-encoded protocol serial bit stream.

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein a serial clock is synchronized with the serial bit stream at the single bit programming connection.

4. The method according to claim 2 , further comprising the step of reading the program memory through the single bit programming connection.

5. The method according to claim 2 , further comprising the step of entering a test mode through the single bit programming connection.

Assignments (16)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 16, 2025
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INC.; MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY IRELAND LIMITED; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; ATMEL CORPORATION; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; MICROSEMI FREQUENCY AND TIME CORP.; MICROSEMI SEMICONDUCTOR ULC; MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY GERMANY GMBH
To: CRESTONE IP MANAGEMENT, LLC
Reel/Frame 071991/0419 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 14, 2022
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 060894/0437 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 11, 2022
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 059363/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 10, 2022
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 059863/0400 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 9, 2022
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 059358/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 28, 2022
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 059666/0545 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 25, 2022
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 059333/0222 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 4, 2021
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 057935/0474 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 24, 2020
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 055671/0612 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 5, 2020
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INC.; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 053468/0705 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 30, 2020
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INC.; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 053466/0011 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 24, 2020
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INC.; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 053311/0305 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 18, 2018
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 047103/0206 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 25, 2018
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 046426/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 10, 2017
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 041675/0617 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 13, 2008
From: THOMSEN, JOSEPH ALAN
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 021827/0849 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 1122788400 · Sep 15, 2005
Related Publication 20090070548A1 · Mar 12, 2009