Circuit configuration for emulating a microcontroller

• US 5,307,285 A
• Filed: 09/23/1992
• Issued: 04/26/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Storandt, Steffen, Lenninger, Ralf-Johannes
• Primary Examiner(s): Trans, Vincent N.
• Application Number:
  US07/949,745
• Time in Patent Office: 580 Days
• Field of Search: 364/488, 364/489, 364/490, 364/491, 364/578, 395/500
• US Class Current: 703/23
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/7832 on one IC chip (single chip microprocessors)

Abstract

A circuit configuration for emulating a microcontroller includes connection terminals being pin-compatible with the microcontroller to be emulated. A bond-out chip of the microcontroller is connected to the connection terminals. A reprogrammable memory device is provided. A logic configuration provides direct access from at least some of the connection terminals to the reprogrammable memory device. The circuit configuration has a three-dimensional measurement being at least approximately identical to the three-dimensional measurement of the microcontroller to be emulated.

Claims

1. Reprogrammable microcontroller, comprising connection terminals, a bond-out chip connected to said connection terminals, a reprogrammable memory device being programmable through said connection terminals, and a logic configuration connected to at least some of said connection terminals and providing direct access from at least some of said connection terminals to said reprogrammable memory device, said logic configuration including means for effecting direct access from said connection terminals to said reprogrammable memory device and for shifting said bond-out chip into a passive state in response to a given logic signal applied to at least one of said connection terminals, and said logic configuration including means for causing the reprogrammable microcontroller to be inaccessible for programming through said terminals and to emulate a ROM-type microcontroller when said given logic signal is not applied to said at least one connection terminal.

2. Circuit configuration according to claim 1, including an adaptor device providing direct access to said memory device through said connection terminals.

3. Circuit configuration according to claim 2, wherein said logic configuration is activatable for direct access to said memory device by means of said adaptor device.

4. Circuit configuration according to claim 1, wherein said memory device is directly accessible for programming.

5. Circuit configuration according to claim 1, wherein said memory device is directly accessible for reading data stored in said memory device.

6. Circuit configuration according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said bond-out chip and said reprogrammable memory device are mounted along with said logic configuration without a housing on a mother board.

7. Circuit configuration according to claim 1, wherein said logic configuration is a custom circuit configuration.

8. Circuit configuration according to claim 1, wherein said logic configuration is a semi-custom circuit configuration.

9. Circuit configuration according to claim 1, wherein said reprogrammable memory device is at least one EPROM chip.

10. Circuit configuration according to claim 1, wherein said reprogrammable memory device is at least one EEPROM chip.

11. Circuit configuration according to claim 1, wherein said connection terminals of said circuit configuration are disposed in the manner of a PLCC connection configuration.

12. Circuit configuration according to claim 1, wherein said connection terminals of said circuit configuration are disposed in the manner of a DIP connection configuration.

13. Circuit configuration according to claim 1, wherein said logic configuration is integrated on said bond-out chip.