Cell fabricated as an IC with a redesigned transceiver package which can be multiplexed to different states without user input

• US 6,694,209 B1
• Filed: 06/26/2000
• Issued: 02/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Echelon Corporation (Renesas Electronics Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Echelon Corporation (Renesas Electronics Corporation)
• Inventors: Tormey, Milton T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Von Buhr, Maria N.
• Application Number:
  US09/603,788
• Time in Patent Office: 1,331 Days
• Field of Search: 700/121, 370/229-231, 370/315, 370/357-360, 370/400, 370/419-422, 307/112, 307/125, 375/211, 375/219, 375/220
• US Class Current: 700/121
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0423 Input/output
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25056 Automatic configuration of monitoring, control system as function of operator input, events
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25432 Multiplex

Abstract

A circuit improvement which permits a cell fabricated as an integrated circuit and a transceiver package having a transceiver and transformer to be redesigned into a single integrated circuit without redesigning a printed circuit board is disclosed. A multiplexer within the cell controlled by a programming circuit provide either the original cell outputs or selected transceiver signals. The second package includes only the transformer. The cell thus appears to the user to look like the older cell when the MUX is in one state. The combination of the packages appear to a user to look like the old combination when the MUX is in its other state. The MUX is controlled by a programming circuit which may, for instance, be programmed with a high voltage or bond out option.

Claims

1. An improved combination of a cell and a transceiver comprising:

an integrated circuit having a cell, a transceiver, a multiplexer and a programming circuit incorporated thereon, the multiplexer coupling to output terminals of the integrated circuit either a pair of lines from the transceiver or a pair of lines from the cell as a function of a stored state in the programming circuit; and

a circuit element incorporated in a second package having a transformer for coupling to the output terminals of the integrated circuit, the transformer for receiving the pair of lines from the transceiver when the stored state is in a first state.

2. The improved combination of a cell and transceiver defined by claim 1 wherein when the stored state is a second state the output terminals are coupled to the pair of lines from the cell.

3. The improved combination of a cell and transceiver defined by claim 1 wherein the programming circuit is programmed through using a higher potential than the operating potential used to operate the cell.

4. The improved combination of a cell and transceiver defined by claim 1 wherein the programming circuit is programmed by a predetermined combination of signals on input lines to the integrated circuit.

5. The improved combination of a cell and transceiver defined by claim 1 wherein the programming circuit is programmed during fabrication with a mask.

6. The improved combination of a cell and transceiver defined by claim 1 wherein the programming circuit is programmed through a bonding option.