The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 19, 2008
Filed:
Apr. 06, 2006
Philip W. Yee, Los Altos, CA (US);
Philip W. Yee, Los Altos, CA (US);
Micrel, Incorporated, San Jose, CA (US);
Abstract
A pin-limited device includes a pattern-recognition circuit that detects a predetermined signal pattern transmitted on a supply pin of the device. The predetermined signal pattern is generated within the acceptable operating voltage range of the IC device (e.g., between the minimum and maximum acceptable system voltage levels utilized to control the internal circuitry of the device). Accordingly, the pin-limited IC device continues to operate within specifications while the predetermined signal pattern is transmitted on the selected power supply pin or pins. A test mode circuit generates a switch control signal in response to the predetermined signal pattern to connect an output pin of the device, for example, to an internal node of the device. The pattern recognition circuit sets a latch when the predetermined signal pattern is detected, and the latch is reset when the device is powered down then powered up.