Programmable I/O Pin Mapping for Flexible Microcontroller Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microcontrollers have limited flexibility in configuring input/output (I/O) pins due to fixed, predefined hardwired multiplexing, restricting users to connect I/O pins to only a few predefined functions, which can lead to suboptimal signal routing and increased complexity in application development.
Innovation Solution
An I/O pin mapping module integrated on the microcontroller chip allows users to connect any logic circuit node to any I/O pin, with customizable size and programmable interconnections, enabling more flexible and optimized routing on application boards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed hardwired multiplexing is used to connect logic circuits to I/O pins, then device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability and versatility of I/O pin configuration are severely limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pin mapping module as an intermediary component between the logic circuits and I/O pins. This module acts as a flexible multiplexer that can dynamically connect any logic circuit output to any I/O pin based on configuration settings, thereby resolving the contradiction by adding adaptability without requiring complete redesign of the underlying logic circuit architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The pin mapping module provides universal connectivity by enabling any I/O pin to be configured for multiple different functions through software control. Instead of having dedicated hardwired connections for each function, the same I/O pin can be dynamically assigned to different logic circuits, achieving multi-functionality and high adaptability.
2Ease of manufacture
If I/O pins are limited to predefined functions, then device complexity is minimized, but signal routing optimization on application boards becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The pin mapping module implements dynamic pin configuration through software control, allowing the connection between logic circuits and I/O pins to be changed at runtime. This dynamic reconfigurability enables optimization of signal routing on application boards by allowing users to assign I/O pins to different functions based on their specific layout and routing requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If more logic circuit nodes are made available at each I/O pin, then adaptability increases, but the area occupied by multiplexing circuitry increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pin mapping module is implemented as a segmented array of multiplexers, where each multiplexer handles a specific I/O pin and can be independently configured. This segmentation allows the system to provide high adaptability while controlling the area occupied by distributing the multiplexing functionality across multiple small units rather than requiring a single large multiplexer.
Data Source
AI summary
An I/O pin mapping module integrated on a microcontroller chip allows any microcontroller circuit node connected to the I/O pin mapping module to be mapped to any microcontroller I/O pin connected to the I/O pin mapping module. The size of the I/O pin mapping module can be customized prior to integration in accordance with the number of circuit nodes and I/O pins to be connected thereto. The I/O pin mapping module is programmable and can be described in a high level language to create a generic module that can be used in different microcontroller families, as well as in other types of integrated circuit chips.