Reconfigurable interface for coupling functional input/output blocks to limited number of i/o pins

Abstract

A reconfigurable processor includes a processor core for operating on a set of instructions to carry out predefined processes and includes a plurality of input/output pins in addition to a plurality of functional input/output blocks. These functional blocks allow the processing core to interface with the plurality of input/output pins, each of the functional input/output blocks having an associated and predetermined functionality. This functionality comprises the output as a function of the input, the function defined by the functionality. Each of the functional input/output blocks has a requirement for a defined number of the plurality of input/output pins wherein the total of the defined number for all of the plurality of functional input/output blocks exceeds the number of the plurality of input/output pins and wherein the processor core is interfaced with one of the input or output of each of the functional blocks. A reconfigurable interface selectively interfaces between the other of the input or output of the functional blocks and a select one or ones of the plurality of input/output pins, such that the processor core can be interfaced with the select one or ones of the input/output pins. The reconfigurable interface is operable to define how each of the plurality of input/output pins interfaces with the select ones of the plurality of functional blocks and the associated functionality in accordance with configuration information. A non-volatile memory is provided for storing information for use in association with the configuration information, such that the stored information can be altered.