Microchip Technology Inc.

Emile Van Rooyen

Willem Smit

Frederick J Bruwer

Kent D Hewitt

Thomas C Salt

The present invention relates to a fail safe non-volatile memory programming system. The system uses a high voltage charging capacitor to store a charge for programming a memory device. A second charging capacitor is used for supplying power to the control logic used for programming the memory device. If power is removed during a programming cycle, the charge stored in the two capacitors is sufficient to complete the programming cycle.

Fail safe non-volatile memory programming system and method therefor

According to the present invention there is provided an encoder, which in one embodiment, includes a processing circuit which generates an output code according to an encoding algorithm, a counter circuit for incrementing a counter value such that only one bit of the counter value changes each time the counter value is incremented, a non-volatile memory for storing the counter value, and a transmitter which transmits the output code and the counter value. In another embodiment of the invention there is provided a method for use with an encoder having a processing circuit which generates an output code according to an encoding algorithm, a counter circuit for incrementing a counter value, a non-volatile memory for storing the counter value, and a transmitter which transmits the output code and the counter value. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of incrementing the counter value such that only one bit is changed each time the counter is incremented. In still a further embodiment the method includes the steps of using a semaphore register and determining whether the semaphore register is set to 0.

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Phoenix, AZ, United States of America

Emile Van Rooyen