Address Programming Using Time-Varying Signals on Single Pin
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Solution Overview
Problem
The miniaturization of electronic devices limits the number of programming pins available for addressing, which restricts the number of slave electronic devices that can be connected to a bus, impacting device functionality and size constraints.
Innovation Solution
The use of time-varying programming signals to determine an address, reducing the need for physical programming pins by encoding address information over time using existing signals like ground, supply, data, and synchronization signals within a logic network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of programming pins is increased to address more slave electronic devices, then the number of addressable devices increases, but the device size and pin count constraints are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from spatial encoding (multiple pins in parallel) to temporal encoding (single pin used over time). The address is programmed by applying different voltage levels to a single programming pin at different time intervals during the I2C communication protocol, effectively adding a time dimension to the address encoding process. This allows 7 address bits to be programmed using only 1 pin by utilizing the time dimension, resolving the contradiction between addressable device count and pin count.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of address programming from simultaneous multi-pin configuration to sequential single-pin configuration. By varying the voltage level on a single programming pin over time (during different phases of the I2C protocol), the system can encode multiple address bits without requiring multiple physical pins. This parameter change from spatial to temporal encoding resolves the technical contradiction.
2Volume of moving object
If device miniaturization is pursued to reduce size, then device dimensions decrease, but the number of available programming pins is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies temporal encoding to compensate for the loss of spatial resources (pins) due to miniaturization. By encoding address information in the time domain rather than requiring multiple simultaneous physical pins, the invention enables miniaturized devices to maintain full addressing capability with fewer pins, thus resolving the contradiction between device size reduction and pin availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single programming pin serves multiple functions: it is used for address programming during initialization, and the same pin is reused for normal data communication during operation. This multi-functionality reduces the total pin count required in miniaturized devices, resolving the contradiction between device size and programming capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If more functional pins are allocated to increase device functionality, then device capabilities improve, but fewer pins remain available for address programming
Solution Approach 1:
The programming pin is designed to serve dual purposes: address programming during device initialization and data communication during normal operation. This multi-functionality allows the device to allocate more pins to functional purposes while maintaining address programming capability through the same pin, resolving the contradiction between functionality and addressability.
Solution Approach 2:
By encoding address information temporally rather than spatially, the invention frees up physical pins for functional use. The time-based encoding allows the same physical pin to be reused for both programming and communication, increasing the number of pins available for device functionality while maintaining full addressing capability.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a set of programming terminals for receiving corresponding programming signals, and assignment circuitry for assigning an address to the electronic device according to the programming signals. The assignment circuitry includes circuitry for providing a set of comparison signals, with at least part of the comparison signals that is variable during a non-zero comparison interval, and comparison circuitry for determining the address according to a comparison between the programming signals and the comparison signals during the comparison interval.