Atmel Corporation

David W Dressen

Mathew Todd Wich

Gregory Guez

A bi-directional serial interface for serial communication having a control line to facilitate the transmission of data to and from a microcontroller and a serial interface module. The control line can be used by both the microcontroller and the serial interface module to send controlling signals such as start signals, receipt acknowledge signals, error signals, and stop signals. By having a dedicated control line that can be used by both the sending device and the receiving device, the present invention allows the initiation of a communication session by either the microcontroller or the serial interface.

Bi-directional serial interface for communication control

An RFID interface integrated-circuit chip has three ports including a bi-directional RF port, a serial or parallel data external memory IC port, and a serial or parallel data external electronic system port. DC power is supplied to a separate external memory IC chip through the serial external memory port either from power obtained from an RF signal through the bi-directional RF port, from DC power provided from an external electronic system, or from an auxiliary voltage source, such as a battery or fuel cell that replaces power provided from the RF signal. Data and control signals are interchanged with the separate external memory IC chip through the serial or parallel external-memory port using the RF port when the external electronic system is not available or through the external electronic system serial or parallel port when the external electronic system is available.

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Pueblo West, CO, United States of America

David W Dressen