Shared-Pin IC Auto-Configuration by External Clock Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional System on Chip (SOC) designs face challenges in configuring multiple controllers without dedicated pins, as they often require space-consuming configuration pins for default settings during power-on or hardware reset.
Innovation Solution
An integrated circuit with a clock detection device that uses a common pin to detect the frequency of an external clock signal, generating control signals to enable only one controller, thereby eliminating the need for dedicated pins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated configuration pins are used to set default values and select enabled controllers during power-on or hardware reset, then the SOC can be properly configured into specific modes of operation, but the SOC consumes more space and cannot spare many dedicated pins
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes common pins that are shared by multiple controllers perform an additional function as configuration pins during power-on or hardware reset. The clock detection device uses these common pins to detect external clock signals and automatically determine which controller should be enabled, eliminating the need for separate dedicated configuration pins.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs automatic configuration by detecting the frequency of external clock signals through common pins and automatically determining which controller to enable. This self-configuration mechanism eliminates the need for manual configuration pin settings and reduces the number of dedicated pins required.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple controllers share common pins via multiplexer, then pin usage is optimized, but only one controller can be enabled at a time and configuration requires dedicated pins
Solution Approach 1:
The clock detection device automatically detects external clock signals and determines which controller should be enabled based on the detected frequency. This automatic configuration process eliminates the need for complex manual configuration procedures and dedicated configuration pins, while maintaining the benefit of multiple controllers sharing common pins.
3Reliability
If strap pins are used to write default values into strap register during reset, then default configuration is established, but the SOC is space consuming and cannot spare many dedicated pins
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables common pins to serve dual purposes: acting as shared communication pins during normal operation and as configuration pins during power-on or hardware reset. The clock detection device utilizes these common pins to detect external clock signals and automatically configure the system, eliminating the need for separate strap pins.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the configuration function from dedicated strap pins and integrates it into the existing common pin infrastructure. By using the clock detection device to automatically determine configuration based on external clock signal frequency, the system eliminates the need for separate configuration pin infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit with automatic configuration is disclosed. The integrated circuit comprises a plurality of controllers and a clock detection device. The controllers share a plurality of common pins. The clock detection device coupled to a specified common pin for performing clock detection operations on an external clock signal through the specified common pin according to a plurality of predetermined thresholds and generating a plurality of control signals to the controllers so that only one controller is enabled and performs signal transmission through the common pins.