Programming methodology and architecture for a programmable analog system
DCFirst Claim
1. A method for implementing multiple functions in a device, said method comprising:
- a) receiving configuration information into a configuration register of said device, said device comprising a plurality of analog blocks interconnected in a single integrated circuit, wherein each analog block in said plurality of analog blocks is selectively and electrically couplable to and decouplable from other analog blocks in said plurality of analog blocks, wherein said configuration information is for selectively and electrically coupling a particular combination of said analog blocks in a particular configuration according to an analog function to be performed; and
b) electrically coupling selected analog blocks according to said configuration information to achieve said analog function, wherein said configuration information is implemented by said analog blocks to accomplish said coupling.
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Abstract
A method of programming a programmable analog device that introduces on a single chip a set of tailored analog blocks and elements that can be configured and reconfigured in different ways to implement a variety of different analog functions. The analog blocks can be electrically coupled to each other in different combinations to perform different analog functions. Each analog block includes analog elements that have changeable characteristics that can be specified according to the function to be performed. Configuration registers define the type of function to be performed, the way in which the analog blocks are to be coupled, the inputs and outputs of the analog blocks, and the characteristics of the analog elements. The configuration registers can be dynamically programmed. Thus, the device can be used to realize a large number of different analog functions and applications.
79 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for implementing multiple functions in a device, said method comprising:
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a) receiving configuration information into a configuration register of said device, said device comprising a plurality of analog blocks interconnected in a single integrated circuit, wherein each analog block in said plurality of analog blocks is selectively and electrically couplable to and decouplable from other analog blocks in said plurality of analog blocks, wherein said configuration information is for selectively and electrically coupling a particular combination of said analog blocks in a particular configuration according to an analog function to be performed; and
b) electrically coupling selected analog blocks according to said configuration information to achieve said analog function, wherein said configuration information is implemented by said analog blocks to accomplish said coupling. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for configuring a device, said method comprising:
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a) receiving configuration information into a configuration register of said device, said device comprising a first analog block comprising a plurality of analog elements having changeable characteristics, wherein said configuration information is for specifying characteristics of said analog elements according to an analog function to be performed and wherein said configuration information is also for selectively and electrically coupling and decoupling said first analog block to and from a second analog block of said device according to said analog function;
b) setting said characteristics of said analog elements according to said configuration information to achieve said analog function, c) programming said first analog block according to said configuration information to route signals from said first analog block to said second analog block. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for configuring a device comprising a plurality of analog blocks coupled in a single integrated circuit, said method comprising:
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a) receiving configuration information into a configuration register of said device, wherein said configuration information is for causing a first analog block of said device to be selectively and electrically coupled to a second analog block of said device according to an analog function to be performed, said configuration information for configuring said first analog block to route a signal to said second analog block, said configuration information also for specifying analog characteristics of said first and second analog blocks; and
b) changing dynamically said configuration information to effect a change to said analog function. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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Specification