Application specific power controller configuration technique
View Patent ↗Configuring the operational behavior of an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit (IC) comprises a plurality of configuration inputs for configuring the IC. The IC also has a memory which stores a plurality of sets of parameter values. Each parameter value of the respective set corresponds to a different operational parameter of a plurality of operational parameters. The IC includes logic which determines a first plurality of configuration values corresponding to the first plurality of configuration inputs. The logic then selects a set of parameter values from the stored plurality of sets of parameter values. The selection of parameter values is based on the first plurality of configuration values. The IC is then configured for operation according to one or more operational parameter values in the selected set of parameter values.
1. A method for configuring the operational behavior of an integrated circuit; wherein the integrated circuit comprises a plurality of configuration pins, the method comprising:
storing, in the integrated circuit, a plurality of configuration sets, wherein each configuration set comprises a respective set of parameter values, wherein each parameter value of the respective set of parameter values corresponds to a different operational parameter of a plurality of operational parameters;
determining a respective configuration state of each respective configuration pin of at least a subset of the plurality of configuration pins, wherein the respective configuration state is set by connections made to the respective configuration pin;
selecting a configuration set from the stored plurality of configuration sets based on the determined respective configuration state of each respective configuration pin of the at least a subset of the plurality of configuration pins; and
configuring the integrated circuit for operation according to one or more parameter values comprised in the selected configuration set.
2. The method of claim 1 ,
wherein said configuring the device for operation according to the one or more parameter values comprised in the selected configuration set comprises configuring the device for operation according to each parameter value comprised in the selected configuration set.
3. The method of claim 1 ,
wherein at least one configuration set corresponds to a specific application of the integrated circuit.
4. The method of claim 1 ,
wherein at least one configuration set corresponds to a specific customer of the integrated circuit.
5. The method of claim 1 ,
wherein a number of parameter values in at least one configuration set is larger than a number of configuration pins comprised in the plurality of configuration pins.
6. The method of claim 1 ,
wherein the integrated circuit is an application specific power controller.
7. An integrated circuit configurable for specific applications, the integrated circuit comprising:
a plurality of configuration pins;
a memory medium comprised on the integrated circuit, and storing a plurality of configuration sets, wherein each configuration set comprises a respective set of parameter values, wherein each parameter value of the respective set of parameter values corresponds to a different operational parameter of a plurality of operational parameters;
configuration detection circuitry coupled to the plurality of configuration pins and configured to:
determine a respective configuration state of each respective configuration pin of at least a subset of the plurality of configuration pins, wherein the respective configuration state is set by connections made to the respective configuration pin; and
select a configuration set from the stored plurality of configuration sets based on the determined respective configuration state of each reach respective configuration pin of the at least a subset of the plurality of configuration pins; and
parametric configuration circuitry configured to configure the integrated circuit for operation according to one or more parameter values comprised in the selected configuration set.
8. The integrated circuit of claim 7 ,
wherein the parametric configuration circuitry is configured to configure the integrated circuit for operation according to each parameter value comprised in the selected configuration set.
9. The integrated circuit of claim 7 ,
wherein at least one configuration set corresponds to a specific application of the integrated circuit.
10. The integrated circuit of claim 7 ,
wherein at least one configuration set corresponds to a specific customer of the integrated circuit.
11. The integrated circuit of claim 7 ,
wherein a number of parameter values comprised in at least one configuration set is larger than a number of configuration pins comprised in the plurality of configuration pins.
12. The integrated circuit of claim 7 ,
wherein the integrated circuit is an application specific power controller.
13. An integrated circuit configurable for specific applications, the integrated circuit comprising:
a plurality of configuration pins;
a memory medium comprised on the integrated circuit, and storing a plurality of configuration sets, wherein each configuration set comprises a respective set of parameter values, wherein each parameter value of the respective set of parameter values corresponds to a different operational parameter of a plurality of operational parameters;
means for determining a respective configuration state of each respective configuration pin of at least a subset of the plurality of configuration pins, wherein the respective configuration state is set by connections made to the respective configuration pin;
means for selecting a configuration set from the stored plurality of configuration sets based on the determined respective configuration state of each respective configuration pin of the at least a subset of the plurality of configuration pins; and
means for configuring the integrated circuit for operation according to one or more parameter values comprised in the selected configuration set.
14. A device configurable for specific applications, the device comprising:
a plurality of configuration pins;
a memory medium comprised on the device, and storing a plurality of configuration sets, wherein each configuration set comprises a respective set of parameter values, wherein each parameter value of respective set of parameter values corresponds to a different operational parameter of a plurality of operational parameters;
configuration detection circuitry coupled to the plurality of configuration pins, and configured to:
determine a respective configuration state of each respective configuration pin of at least a subset of the plurality of configuration pins; and
select a configuration set from the stored plurality of configuration sets based on the determined respective configuration state of each respective configuration pin of the at least a subset of the plurality of configuration pins; and
parametric configuration circuitry configured to configure the device for operation according to one or more parameter values comprised in the selected configuration set.