Controller with interface attachment

• US 6,687,814 B1
• Filed: 07/12/1999
• Issued: 02/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Round Rock Research LLC
• Original Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Duppong, Charles M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Trujillo, James K.
• Application Number:
  US09/350,894
• Time in Patent Office: 1,667 Days
• Field of Search: 713/1, 713/2, 713/100, 710/8
• US Class Current: 713/1
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23417 Read program from pluggable memory card
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25265 Flash memory
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/4068 Electrical coupling

Abstract

A controller with attachments for controlling specific electronic circuits is disclosed. Each attachment has a connector connectable to the electronic circuit to be controlled, and a memory accessible by the controller that contains configuration data for accessing the electronic circuit, and operational software for operating the electronic circuit.

Claims

1. A system for operating an electronic circuit, said system comprising:

a controller;

an attachment removably connectable to the controller and removably connectable to the electronic circuit; and

a memory within said attachment for storing information relating to the electronic circuit;

wherein

the controller further comprises a programmable logic device;

the controller receives the information from the memory to configure the programmable logic device; and

signals transmitted between said controller and said electronic circuit are only processed by said programmable logic device, and

wherein the information relating to the electronic circuit includes configuration data and operational software, the controller uses the configuration data and the operational software to operate the electronic circuit to perform at least one of a monitoring operation, testing operation, debugging operation, programming operation, registering operation, initialization operation and an identification operation.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the memory is associated with the attachment.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the controller comprises a central processing unit, the central processing unit reading the configuration data and causing the programmable logic device to route signals between the controller and the electronic circuit.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit is an integrated circuit and an operation performed by the system is a test of the integrated circuit.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit is a memory chip and the operation performed by the system is programming of the memory chip.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit is a circuit board.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit is a circuit module.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit is an integrated circuit.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit is a chip.

10. A system for operating an electronic circuit, said system comprising:

a controller having at least a first electrical connector and;

an attachment device comprising a second connector connectable to said first electrical connector;

at least a third connector connectable to an electronic circuit, said second connector being connected to said third connector; and

a memory within said attachment for storing information relating to said electronic circuit, said controller receiving said information from said memory during a time when said attachment device is connected to said controller, and using said information to control said electrical circuit to perform one operation of a testing operation and a programming operation;

wherein,

signals in transit between said controller and said electronic circuit are directly routed through said attachment device.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the memory is associated with the attachment.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the controller further comprises a central processing unit and a programmable logic device, the central processing unit reading the information and causing the programmable logic device to route signals between the controller and the electronic circuit.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the electronic circuit is an integrated circuit and the operation performed is a test of the integrated circuit.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein said electronic circuit is a memory chip and the operation performed by the system is programming of the memory chip.

15. A system for operating an electronic circuit, comprising:

a controller comprising a first connector; and

an attachment comprising;

a second connector and connectable to the first connector of the controller;

a third connector coupled to the second connector and connectable to the electronic circuit; and

a memory containing configuration data and operational software for the electronic circuit which is accessible by said controller,

wherein

said controller using said configuration data and operational software to operate the electronic circuit to perform one of a monitoring operation, testing operation, debugging operation, programming operation, registering operation, initialization operation and an identification operation; and

signals in transit between said controller and electronic circuit are directly routed through said attachment.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said configuration data includes information concerning the routing of electrical signals between said controller and said third connector.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said electrical signals are routed by a programmable logic device.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein said programmable logic device is a part of said controller.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein said controller uses said operational software to test said electronic circuit.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein said controller uses said operational software to monitor said electronic circuit.

21. The system of claim 15, wherein said controller uses said operational software to program said electronic circuit.

22. The system of claim 15, wherein said controller uses said operational software to debug said electronic circuit.

23. The system of claim 15, wherein said controller uses said operational software to register said electronic circuit.

24. The system of claim 15, wherein said controller uses said operational software to initialize said electronic circuit.

25. The system of claim 15, wherein said controller uses said operational software to identify said electronic circuit.

26. The system of claim 15, wherein said controller uses said operational software to control said electronic circuit.

27. The system of claim 15, wherein said electronic circuit is an integrated circuit.

28. The system of claim 15, wherein said electronic circuit is a circuit board.

29. The system of claim 15, wherein said electronic circuit is a circuit module.

30. The system of claim 15, wherein said electronic circuit is a chip.

31. The system of claim 15, wherein the controller further comprises a central processing unit and a programmable logic device, the central processing unit reading the configuration data and causing the programmable logic device to route signals between the controller and the electronic circuit.

32. The system of claim 27, wherein said third connector is a socket for said integrated circuit.

33. A system for operating a selected one of a plurality of electronic circuits, each of said electronic circuits being associated with an attachment therefore, said system comprising:

a controller having a first connector; and

an attachment associated with one of said plurality of electronic circuits, said attachment having

a second connector connectable to the first connector of the controller;

a third connector connectable to said associated electronic circuit; and

a memory containing configuration data and operational software for said associated electronic circuit which is accessible by said controller, said controller using said configuration data and operational software to operate said associated electronic circuit which is connected to said third connector;

wherein signals in transit between said controller and said selected one of a plurality of electronic circuits are routed directly through said attachment.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein said controller further comprises a central processing unit and a programmable logic device, the central processing unit reading the configuration data and causing the programmable logic device to route signals between the controller and the electronic circuit through the first connector.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein said memory is connected to a first portion of said second connector, and said third connector is connected to a second portion of said second connector.

36. A system for operating an electronic circuit, comprising:

a controller having a first connector and a second connector, and

an attachment comprising;

a third connector connectable to the first connector of the controller;

a fourth connector connectable to the second connector of the controller;

a fifth connector connectable to the electronic circuit; and

a memory containing configuration data and operational software for the electronic circuit which is accessible by said controller through the second connector of the controller and fourth connector of the attachment to control the electronic circuit through the first connector of the controller, and third connector and fifth connector of the attachment;

wherein signals in transit between said controller and said electronic circuit are routed directly through said attachment.

37. A system for operating an electronic circuit, comprising:

a controller device comprising;

a central processing unit;

a programmable logic device;

a first connector; and

a second connector; and

an attachment device comprising;

a third connector connectable to the first connector of the controller;

a fourth connector connectable to the second connector of the controller;

a non-volatile memory containing configuration data and an operational program; and

a fifth connector connectable to an electronic circuit;

wherein the central processor reads the configuration data through said second and fourth connectors and causes the programmable logic device to route signals between said controller and fifth connector and through said third and first connector; and

wherein the central processor reads the configuration data through said second and fourth connectors and causes the programmable logic device to directly route signals between said controller and fifth connector and through said third and first connector; and

said central processor operates the electronic circuit through execution of the operational program.

38. The system for operating an electronic circuit of claim 37, wherein said non-volatile memory is a flash memory.

39. The system for operating an electronic circuit of claim 37, wherein the operational program is a test program.

40. The system for operating an electronic circuit of claim 37, wherein the operational program is a debugging program.

41. The system for operating an electronic circuit of claim 37, wherein the operational program is a registering program.

42. The system for operating an electronic circuit of claim 37, wherein the operational program is an initialization program.

43. The system for operating an electronic circuit of claim 37, wherein the operational program is a programming program.

44. The system for operating an electronic circuit of claim 37, wherein the operational program is an identification program.

45. The system for operating an electronic circuit of claim 37, wherein the operational program is a monitoring program.

46. The system for operating an electronic circuit of claim 37, wherein the operational program is a program for control of a process.

47. The system for operating an electronic circuit of claim 37, wherein the operational program is a program for control of a machine.

48. The system for operating an electronic circuit of claim 37, wherein the electronic circuit is a circuit board.

49. The system for operating an electronic circuit of claim 37, wherein the electronic circuit is a circuit module.

50. The system for operating an electronic circuit of claim 37, wherein the electronic circuit is an integrated circuit.

51. The system for operating an electronic circuit of claim 37, wherein the electronic circuit is a memory chip.

52. A system for operating an integrated circuit, comprising:

a controller,

an attachment comprising;

a memory having configuration data and operational software for the integrated circuit; and

an integrated circuit socket;

wherein

the attachment is connectable to the controller to allow the controller to access information in said memory for operating an integrated circuit connected to said socket;

the controller accessing operational software in said memory which is used to operate the integrated circuit; and

the controller operates the integrated circuit by directly routing signals between said integrated circuit and said controller through said attachment.

53. The system of claim 52, wherein the operation of the integrated circuit includes testing the integrated circuit.

54. The system of claim 52, wherein the operation of the integrated circuit includes programming the integrated circuit.

55. The system of claim 52, wherein the operation of the integrated circuit includes registering the integrated circuit.

56. The system of claim 52, wherein the operation of the integrated circuit includes debugging the integrated circuit.

57. The system of claim 52, wherein the operation of the integrated circuit includes initializing the integrated circuit.

58. The system of claim 52, wherein the operation of the integrated circuit includes identifying the integrated circuit.

59. The system of claim 52, wherein the operation of the integrated circuit includes monitoring the integrated circuit.

60. The system of claim 52, wherein the controller further comprises a first connector connected to the programmable logic device and connectable to the attachment.

61. The system of claim 60, wherein the attachment further comprises a second connector connected to the socket and connectable to said first connector.

62. A system for operating an electronic circuit, said system comprising:

a universal processing device comprising;

a programmable logic device;

a central processing unit;

a first memory;

a bus connected to said programmable logic device, said central processing unit, and said memory;

a first input/output connector, coupled to said programmable logic device; and

a second input/output connector coupled to said central processing unit; and

an attachment device connectable to said universal processing device, said attachment device comprising;

a third input/output connector adapted to attachably connect with said first input/output connector;

a fourth input/output connector adapted to connect with an electronic circuit;

a fifth input/output connector adapted to detachably connect with said second input/output connector; and

a second memory for storing information relating to said electronic circuit,

wherein said universal processing device receives said information from said second memory when said attachment device is connected thereto and uses said received information to operate an electronic circuit connected to said fourth input/output connector by directly routing signals to said electronic circuit through said attachment device, wherein said electronic circuit is controlled to perform at least a monitoring operation.

63. The system of claim 62, wherein the central processing unit accesses the second memory of the attachment device through the second input/output connector and fifth input/output connector, reads configuration data contained in said information from said second memory and configures the programmable logic device to route signals between the addresses in the electronic circuit through the first input/output connector, third input/output connector and fourth input/output connector to the appropriate addresses in said bus;

and

the central processing unit accesses the second memory of the attachment device through the second input/output connector and fifth input/output connector, loads operational software for the electronic circuit contained in said information from said second memory in the first memory, accesses the electronic circuit through the first input/output connector, third input/output connector, and fourth input/output connector, and executes the operational software to control the electronic circuit.

64. A system for operating an electronic circuit said system comprising:

a controller comprising at least a first connector; and

a primary attachment comprising;

a second connector connectable to the first connector of the controller;

a third connector coupled to the second connector; and

a first memory containing information relating to the electronic circuit;

a secondary attachment comprising;

a fourth connector connectable to the third connector of the primary attachment;

a fifth connector coupled to the fourth connector and connectable to said electronic circuit said memory being accessed by said controller; and

said controller using said information stored in said first memory to operate an electronic circuit connected to said fifth connector by directly routing signals between said controller and said electronic circuit through said primary and secondary attachments.

65. The system of claim 64, wherein said information includes configuration data, said controller routing signals between said controller and said electronic circuit through said primary attachment and said secondary attachment according to said configuration data.

66. The system of claim 64, wherein said information includes operational software for the operation of said electronic circuit.

67. The system of claim 64, wherein said secondary attachment further comprises a second memory containing information relating to the electronic circuit said controller using said information stored in said second memory to operate said electronic circuit.

68. The system of claim 67, wherein said information contained in said secondary memory contains configuration data, said controller routing signals between said controller and said electronic circuit though said primary attachment and said secondary attachment according to said configuration data.

69. The system of claim 68, wherein said information contained in said second memory includes operational software for the operation of said electronic circuit.

70. The system of claim 67, wherein said primary attachment further comprises a converter.

71. The system of claim 70, wherein said converter converts signals from analog format to digital format.

72. A method of operating an electronic circuit detachably connected to an attachment, said attachment detachably connected to a controller, comprising the steps of:

reading by the controller of information concerning the electronic circuit from a memory of the attachment; and

operating the electronic circuit by the controller;

said controller using said information to operate the electronic circuit by directly routing signals between said controller and said electronic circuit through said attachment.

73. The method of claim 72, wherein said information includes configuration data and operational software, said information being read by a processor of said controller, said processor configuring a programmable logic device of said controller to access the electronic circuit, said electronic circuit being operated by said processor of said controller with said operational software.

74. The method of claim 73, wherein said electronic circuit is an integrated circuit.

75. The method of claim 73, wherein said electronic circuit is a circuit board.

76. The method of claim 73, wherein said electronic circuit is an electronic module.

77. The method of claim 73, wherein the electronic circuit being operated is being tested.

78. The method of claim 73, wherein the electronic circuit being operated is being debugged.

79. The method of claim 73, wherein the electronic circuit being operated is being programmed.

80. The method of claim 73, wherein the electronic circuit being operated is being registered.

81. The method of claim 73, wherein the electronic circuit being operated is being initialized.

82. The method of claim 73, wherein the electronic circuit being operated is being identified.

83. The method of claim 73, wherein the electronic circuit being operated is being monitored.

84. A method of operating an electronic circuit comprising the steps of:

reading by a controller, detachably connected to an attachment, of configuration data and operational software of the electronic circuit from a memory of the attachment;

implementing by the controller of the configuration data by configuring a programmable logic device of the controller to access an electronic circuit detachably connected to the attachment; and

execution by the controller of the operational software to control the electronic circuit by routing signals between said controller and said electronic circuit through said attachment, wherein said signals are only processed by said programmable logic device.

85. A method for operating an electronic circuit detachably connected to a first connector of the attachment, said first connector connected to a second connector of said attachment, said second connector of said attachment being detachably connected to a third connector of a controller, comprising the steps of:

reading by the controller of configuration data and operational software from a memory of the attachment;

accessing by the controller of the electronic circuit by routing signals to and from the electronic circuit according to the configuration data; and

executing by the controller of the operational hardware for operating the electronic circuit by directly routing signals between said controller and said electronic circuit through said attachment.

86. The method of claim 85, wherein said signals are routed to addresses in the electronic circuit by a programmable logic device of the controller.

87. The method of claim 85, wherein the electronic circuit is an integrated circuit.

88. The method of claim 87, wherein the first connector of the attachment is a socket for integrated circuits.

89. The method of claim 85, wherein the electronic circuit is a circuit board.

90. The method of claim 85, wherein the electronic circuit is an electronic module.

91. The method of claim 85, wherein the electronic circuit being operated is being programmed.

92. The method of claim 85, wherein the electronic circuit being operated is being initialized.

93. The method of claim 85, wherein the electronic circuit being operated is being monitored.

94. The method of claim 85, wherein the electronic circuit being operated is being tested.

95. The method of claim 85, wherein the electronic circuit being operated is being debugged.

96. The method of claim 85, wherein the electronic circuit being operated is being registered.

97. The method of claim 85, wherein the electronic circuit being operated is being identified.

98. A method for operating an electronic circuit, said method comprising:

accessing by a processor of a controller device a memory contained on a detachable attachment device coupled to said controller;

reading information stored in the memory of the attachment by said processor;

storing by the processor of said information;

accessing said electronic circuit by the processor by routing signals from said processor directly through said attachment device to an electronic circuit connected to said attachment; and

operating said electronic circuit by said processor.

99. A method for operating an electronic circuit, said method comprising:

reading with a controller device information contained in a memory of an attachment device detachably coupled to said controller device; and

said controller device using said information to operate an electronic circuit coupled to said controller device by directly routing signals through said attachment device to operate the electronic circuit to perform one of a monitoring operation and a programming operation.