Microchip Technology Inc.

Nanoteq (pty) Limited

Willem Smit

Pieter Schieke

Frederick J Bruwer

Willem Jabcobus Marneweck

Theodor Johannes Dippenaar

Frederick Johannes Bruwer

Kent D Hewitt

Layton W Eagar

Johannes Albertus Van Niekerk

Emile Van Rooyen

Brian E Boles

Steven Dawson

Paul H Hofhine

Clark Rogers

Thomas C Salt

Gideon Jacobus Kuhn

Gideon Jacobus K{umlaut Over (u)}hn

Maria Smit, Legal Representative

Meiling Chen

A method of performing a direct memory access has the steps of selecting a peripheral device for performing a direct memory access through a direct memory access controller; providing a partial address by the peripheral device to the direct memory access controller; and forming the source or destination address by combining the partial address with selected bits from a source register within the direct memory access controller.

Peripheral supplied addressing in a simple DMA module

A programmable power supply and brownout detector for electronic equipment features independent, but coordinated, control of operating voltage and brownout reference voltage. Improper programming of the operating voltage and the brownout reference voltage levels is prevented. The threshold of the programmable power supply and brownout detector can also be controlled to provide an optimum threshold over a range of operating voltages.

Programmable power supply and brownout detector for electronic equipment

A high gain input stage for a radio frequency transponder uses an amplifier for increasing a magnitude of an input signal. A DC bias circuit is used for controlling the operation of the amplifier. A resonant circuit is coupled between the amplifier and the DC bias circuit. The resonant circuit is used for receiving a signal generated by an electromagnetic field and for generating the input signal which is amplified by the amplifier. The resonant circuit has an inductor which is used to bias the amplifier thereby removing the need for a decoupling capacitor between the tuned circuit and the DC biasing of the amplifier. Multiple transponder inputs may be implemented in a single integrated circuit package.

Integrated circuit transponder having a plurality of high-gain radio frequency signal inputs

A method for a microprocessor power supply system, which features a programmable power supply and a programmable brownout detector with a central control unit that allows for independent, but coordinated, control of operating voltage and brownout reference voltage. The invention prevents improper programming of the operating voltage and the brownout reference voltage levels. The programmable power supply and brownout detector threshold can also be controlled to provide an optimum threshold over a range of operating voltages.

Programmable power supply and brownout detector method for a microprocessor power supply

A high gain input stage for a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) transponder uses an amplifier for increasing a magnitude of an input signal. A DC bias circuit is used for controlling the operation of the amplifier. A resonant circuit is coupled between the amplifier and the DC bias circuit. The resonant circuit is used for receiving a signal generated by an electromagnetic field and for generating the input signal which is sent to the amplifier. The resonant circuit has an inductive portion which is used to bias the amplifier thereby removing the requirement of using a decoupling capacitor.

High gain input stage for a radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder and method therefor

A radio frequency transponder device in an integrated circuit package requires only one dedicated pin for connection to a parallel resonant tuned circuit for receiving a remote signal. The one dedicated pin has a capacitor which blocks direct current (DC) flow and allows independent DC biasing of a radio frequency amplifier for increased signal amplification gain. Another package pin used for common power or ground connections supplies the second connection to the resonant tuned circuit. Multiple transponder inputs may be implemented in a single integrated circuit package using only one dedicated pin per input plus one common pin which may be used for another purpose, such as a power or a ground connection.

Integrated circuit device having a self-biased, single pin radio frequency signal input

A processing unit, preferably a RISC based microcontroller, is coupled to a processing unit voltage regulator. The processing unit voltage regulator is used for controlling an operating voltage of the processing unit. A control unit is coupled to the processing unit voltage regulator and to the processing unit for setting a regulated voltage level for the processing unit voltage regulator. A voltage supply coupled to the control unit and to the processing unit voltage regulator is provided and is used for supplying the operating voltage for the processing unit wherein the operating voltage will have an upper and lower operating voltage level and an voltage supply operating range of approximately two to eighteen volts with relatively little variation in operating current.

Processor having an extended operating voltage range

A new control circuit for a watchdog timer which is incorporated on the same integrated circuit as a microprocessor or microcontroller. The control circuit permits either permanent or software enablement or disablement of the watchdog timer depending on the operating mode of the microprocessor.

Watchdog timer control circuit with permanent and programmable enablement

A bandgap voltage comparator requiring the summing of only two current sources is used to detect low voltage conditions for an logic on an integrated circuit that may be powered from a battery, fuel cell, solar cell and the like. Independent high and low voltage trip points may be programmed in the bandgap low voltage detection system. A power-on-reset delay may be used before asserting a voltage level ok status signal. Power may be disconnected from the bandgap voltage comparator low voltage detection system to conserve power, and power can be reapplied to quickly determine whether a desired voltage level is present.

Method of using a bandgap voltage comparator in a low voltage detection circuit

A microprocessor power supply system, which features a programmable power supply and a programmable brownout detector with a central control unit that allows for independent, but coordinated, control of operating voltage and brownout reference voltage. The invention prevents improper programming of the operating voltage and the brownout reference voltage levels. The programmable power supply and brownout detector threshold can also be controlled to provide an optimum threshold over a range of operating voltages.

Microprocessor power supply system including a programmable power supply and a programmable brownout detector

Bandgap voltage comparator used as a low voltage detection circuit

Encoder and decoder microchips suitable for use in secure unidirectional remote control devices. The encoder microchip includes circuits for performing and encoding function on an identification number embedded in the microchip and a combination of a characterization number and a stepping counter value, so as to generate a transmission value which is only decidable by a related decoding function having access to the same identification number. The decoder microchip includes circuits for decoding the transmission value into a decoded characterization number and a decoded counter value and circuits for comparing the decoded counter value with a decoded counter value range. The encoder and decoder microchips are also provided with means for synchronizing the decoder microchip with a particular encoder microchip which has generated a synchronization command.

Encoder and decoder microchips and remote control devices for secure unidirectional communication

An electronic system, comprising a digital processor and an EEPROM, has circuit logic and program software or firmware for determining if a programming voltage level is sufficient for reliably programming the EEPROM. A charge pump is enabled and generates a voltage used for programming of the EEPROM. The enabled charge pump thereby loads a battery power supply. In addition, a test load may be connected to the output of the charge pump to simulate the EEPROM load during a programming operation to the EEPROM. The charge pump output voltage is measured to determine if at least a desired voltage value is obtained. Once the charge pump voltage level has been pre-qualified for the desired voltage value, an actual programming operation to the EEPROM may be performed. If the voltage level does not reach the desired value then a programming operation is inhibited and the electronic system may alarm or shut down operation. The charge pump voltage level is a good indication and measure of battery charge condition under actual EEPROM programming load conditions.

Method, system and apparatus for determining that a programming voltage

An integrated circuit having a microcontroller, mask programmed read only memory, functions such as clock oscillator, analog-to-digital converter, timers, etc., where each may be adjusted with a digital input to a desired calibration value. The digital input resulting in the desired calibration value being stored in a programmable fuse array.

Calibrating functions of an integrated circuit and storing calibration

A transmitter system having an adjustable monolithic frequency stabilization and tuning internal capacitor circuit. The transmitter system has a transmitter for generating and transmitting a transmitter oscillator frequency signal. A data generating chip is coupled to the transmitter. The data generating chip is used for adjusting and controlling the transmitter oscillator frequency signal. A variable capacitor circuit is located internal to the data generating chip and is coupled to a ground pin and one of a plurality of function pins on the data generating chip. The variable capacitor circuit is used for adjusting and setting the centerpoint of the transmitter oscillator frequency signal.

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Chandler, AZ, United States of America

Willem Smit