Rockwell International Corporation

Rockwell Int'l Corp.

Douglas M Berger

John S Walley

Virginia M Chan

Stephen C Muller

Chuong D Nguyen

A method for configuring a program-controlled integrated circuit which contains default configuration data and includes input/output lines connectable to at least one external source of configuration data, the method including: a) determining whether an external source of configuration data is connected to the input/output lines; b) in response to a determination that an external source of configuration data is connected to the input/output lines, configuring the integrated circuit in accordance with that configuration data from that source; and c) in response to a determination that an external source of configuration data is not connected to the input/output lines, configuring the integrated circuit in accordance with the default configuration data. An application specific integrated circuit containing circuit units which must be configured in accordance with configuration data, the circuit including: external connection lines for connecting the circuit to an external source of configuration data; a first non-volatile memory portion storing default configuration data; and a second non-volatile memory portion storing a control program which is operative for selecting configuration data from among configuration data stored in a connected external source connected to the external connection lines and the stored default configuration data.

Selective configuration of operating programs stored in an application

A method for testing a communication link between first and second components of a system, which components communicate via a selected one of a plurality of broadcast channels, the second component being powered by a self-contained power source, the method comprising: causing the first component to scan a plurality of the broadcast channels in sequence in a receiving mode during a scanning period and to broadcast a test signal over the selected channel during the scan; and maintaining the second component in an inactive state in which energy consumption is minimized and in which the second component is unresponsive to broadcast signals during a major part of the scanning period, placing the second component in an active state in which the second component can detect the test signal during a time when the test signal is being broadcast, and causing the second component to broadcast a response signal upon detection of the test signal.

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Mission Viejo, CA, United States of America

Douglas M Berger