IC Pin Programming Using Impedance Sensing to Cut Pin Count

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional IC programming schemes are costly, complex, and require a large number of pins, occupying significant circuit area and increasing chip complexity.

Innovation Solution

An IC with an internal detection circuit and external passive components allows programming multiple parameters through a single pin using a voltage and impedance sensing circuit, reducing package size and board area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If conventional IC programming schemes are used, then programming capability is provided, but package size and board area increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboard areaVSAvoidprogramming capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

A single sense input pin is used to perform multiple programming functions by detecting different impedance values. The pin can program multiple parameters including digital values, analog values, and timing characteristics by varying the impedance of external passive components, eliminating the need for separate pins for different programming operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the impedance parameter of external passive components connected to the sense input pin to encode different programming information. By varying resistance, capacitance, or inductance values, multiple unique parameters can be detected through a single pin, enabling comprehensive programming capability with reduced pin count.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If multiple pins are used for programming, then programming precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparameter detection accuracyVSAvoidpin count

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

External passive components serve as intermediaries that translate multiple programming parameters into single impedance values detectable through one pin. These components modulate the electrical characteristics at the sense input pin, allowing the voltage and impedance sensing circuit to extract multiple parameters including digital and analog values without requiring multiple dedicated pins.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from using multiple pins in spatial dimension to encoding information in the impedance dimension. By measuring impedance magnitude and phase characteristics across a single pin, the system accesses an additional dimension of information encoding, enabling multiple parameters to be programmed through one pin while maintaining detection precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional programming circuits are implemented, then programming function is achieved, but circuit area increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogramming functionVSAvoidcircuit area

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the programming information encoding function from dedicated programming circuits and relocates it to external passive components. The IC contains only a compact voltage and impedance sensing circuit that detects impedance values set by external components, significantly reducing the programmed circuit area while maintaining full programming functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

External passive components perform the programming function by their own impedance characteristics without requiring active programming circuits within the IC. The components self-configure the desired parameters through their passive electrical properties, and the IC's sensing circuit simply reads these pre-configured values, eliminating the need for complex internal programming logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables efficient programming of multiple parameters per pin, significantly reducing pin count and chip complexity while maintaining operational flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

a controllable current source configured to control a current of the sense input pin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical current control: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

a voltage measurement circuit configured to generate a measurement signal indicating a voltage of the sense input pin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage sensing: Ohm's Law

Implementation Method 3

a voltage and impedance sensing circuit configured to program the one or more parameters into the memory based on the voltage of the sense input pin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpedance detection: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentUS12619808B2Apparatus and methods for programming multiple parameters per pin of an integrated circuit

Publication Date: 2026.05.05 ANALOG DEVICES INC

AI summary

Apparatus and methods for programming multiple parameters per pin of an IC are disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, system operation parameters of an IC are set using external component(s) in conjunction with an internal detection circuit of the IC. The internal detection circuit allows for programming of multiple parameters with one pin of the IC, thereby reducing package size, board area, and/or chip complexity. For example, the teachings herein allow for detection of three or more unique parameters or states per pin, significantly reducing the part pin count and board area.