Single-Chip Microcomputer with Mask ROM for Car Audio Program Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of a microcomputer with USB host function, compression decoder, and flash ROM into a single chip for electronic devices like car audio systems increases manufacturing costs due to the need for a more expensive and less suitable flash ROM process, which is not conducive to finer design rules and smaller device sizes.
Innovation Solution
An integrated circuit chip with a mask ROM and a CPU that operates as part of a ROM correction circuit, allowing for program updates from an external recording medium, where the mask ROM is manufactured using a less expensive logic process and the flash ROM is used separately for program storage and updates, reducing manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the microcomputer, compression decoder, and flash ROM are consolidated into a single chip, then the device integration is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases and the device size increases due to the FROM process requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ROM update function from the main integrated circuit chip. The chip contains a mask ROM with the control program, and the update function is implemented separately through an external FROM connected via a bus interface. This allows the main chip to be manufactured using the cheaper logic process while still providing program update capability through the external FROM component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the flash ROM update functionality from the integrated circuit chip itself and implements it externally. The CPU in the chip can execute programs from the mask ROM and also access the external FROM for updates, but the FROM is not integrated into the chip fabric. This extraction avoids the need for the expensive FROM process on the main chip while maintaining update capability.
2Device complexity
If the microcomputer, compression decoder, and flash ROM are consolidated into a single chip, then the device integration is improved, but the die size increases due to the FROM process requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ROM update function from the main integrated circuit chip. The chip contains a mask ROM with the control program, and the update function is implemented separately through an external FROM connected via a bus interface. This allows the main chip to be manufactured using the cheaper logic process while still providing program update capability through the external FROM component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the flash ROM update functionality from the integrated circuit chip itself and implements it externally. The CPU in the chip can execute programs from the mask ROM and also access the external FROM for updates, but the FROM is not integrated into the chip fabric. This extraction avoids the need for the expensive FROM process on the main chip while maintaining update capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A manufacturing cost of an integrated circuit chip used in a program update system or in an electronic device with program update function is reduced. A first integrated circuit chip has a USB interface circuit, a compression decoder, a CPU and a mask ROM. The first integrated circuit chip is a single chip consolidating a microcomputer with a USB host function and the compression decoder. A second integrated circuit chip has a CPU and an FROM, and serves as a system microcomputer to control the whole system of a car audio. A control program stored in the mask ROM is updated using the FROM incorporated in the second integrated circuit chip.