Digital trimming in a microelectronic device
First Claim
1. A method for trimming a microelectronic device having an output signal responsive to an input signal and a threshold signal, the microelectronic device having trimming logic and a trimming signal generator, the trimming signal generator producing a trimming signal in response to a trimming logic value generated by the trimming logic, the method comprising:
- applying a clock signal to a pin of the microelectronic device associated with the output signal in normal operation;
the trimming logic changing the trimming logic value in response to the clock signal until the trimming logic value reaches a trim value at which the trimming signal causes the threshold signal and input signal to be substantially equal to each other;
storing the trim value in a non-volatile memory;
locking the trimming logic when the trimming logic value reaches the trim value; and
outputting the trim value from the non-volatile memory to the trimming signal generator while the trimming logic is locked.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Digital trimming logic is included in a microelectronic device of a type that produces an output signal in response to an input signal and a threshold signal. Trimming logic values are produced in response to a clock signal that is applied to the device in a trimming mode. The clock signal can be applied to a device pin that is used in normal operation to provide an output signal, thus allowing the pin to serve a dual function. The trimming logic changes the trimming logic value in response to the clock signal until the trimming logic value reaches a trim value at which the threshold signal is substantially equal to the input signal. The trimming logic then stores the trim value in a non-volatile memory and enters a locked mode in which further trimming is prevented and the device is ready for normal operation.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method for trimming a microelectronic device having an output signal responsive to an input signal and a threshold signal, the microelectronic device having trimming logic and a trimming signal generator, the trimming signal generator producing a trimming signal in response to a trimming logic value generated by the trimming logic, the method comprising:
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applying a clock signal to a pin of the microelectronic device associated with the output signal in normal operation; the trimming logic changing the trimming logic value in response to the clock signal until the trimming logic value reaches a trim value at which the trimming signal causes the threshold signal and input signal to be substantially equal to each other; storing the trim value in a non-volatile memory; locking the trimming logic when the trimming logic value reaches the trim value; and outputting the trim value from the non-volatile memory to the trimming signal generator while the trimming logic is locked. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A microelectronic device digitally trimmable in a trimming mode, comprising:
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device circuitry, the device circuitry producing in a normal operational mode an output signal on a device output signal pin in response to an input signal and a threshold signal; trimming logic, the trimming logic producing a trimming logic value in response to a clock signal received on the device output signal pin in trimming mode; a trimming signal generator, the trimming signal generator producing a trimming signal in response to the trimming logic value, wherein the trimming logic changes the trimming logic value in response to the clock signal until the trimming logic value reaches a trim value at which trimming signal causes the threshold signal and input signal to be substantially equal to each other; non-volatile memory, the non-volatile memory storing the trim value; and trim output circuitry, the trim output circuitry outputting the trim value from the non-volatile memory to the trimming signal generator while the trimming logic is locked. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification