Configurable multi-protocol vehicle communication circuit and method
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- placing a first communication terminal in a high-impedance state;
placing a second communication terminal in a high-impedance state;
sensing a first voltage at the first communication terminal while in the high-impedance state;
sensing a second voltage at the second communication terminal while in the high-impedance state;
determining a communication mode based on the first voltage and the second voltage; and
communicating in the communication mode using the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal.
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Abstract
A communication circuit places two communication terminals in high-impedance states, senses voltages at the two communication terminals, and determines a communication mode based on the voltages. Thereafter, the communication circuit communicates in the communication mode using the two communication terminals. The circuit is capable of communicating via the two communication terminals in any of a Serial Communications Interface (SCI) communication protocol and a Controller Area Network (CAN) communication protocol.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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placing a first communication terminal in a high-impedance state;
placing a second communication terminal in a high-impedance state;
sensing a first voltage at the first communication terminal while in the high-impedance state;
sensing a second voltage at the second communication terminal while in the high-impedance state;
determining a communication mode based on the first voltage and the second voltage; and
communicating in the communication mode using the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
determining that the communication mode is based upon a first communication protocol if the first voltage is about 2.5 Volts and the second voltage is about 2.5 Volts;
determining that the communication mode is based upon a second communication protocol if the first voltage is about 0 Volts and the second voltage is about 5 Volts; and
determining that the communication mode is based upon a third communication protocol if the first voltage is about 5 Volts and the second voltage is about 5 Volts.
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- 6. A computer-readable medium whose contents cause a processor to place a first communication terminal in a high-impedance state, to place a second communication terminal in a high-impedance state, to sense a first voltage at the first communication terminal while in the high-impedance state, to sense a second voltage at the second communication terminal while in the high-impedance state, to determine a communication mode based on the first voltage and the second voltage, and to communicate in the communication mode using the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal.
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11. An apparatus comprising:
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a first communication terminal;
a second communication terminal; and
a processor to place the first communication terminal in a high-impedance state, to place the second communication terminal in a high-impedance state, to sense a first voltage at the first communication terminal while in the high-impedance state, to sense a second voltage at the second communication terminal while in the high-impedance state, to determine a communication mode based on the first voltage and the second voltage, and to communicate in the communication mode using the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification