Patent ID: 6900673
Filing Date: 2005-05-31
Classification: H03K

Abstract:
1. A micro-controller device for providing a first stream of pulses at an adjustable frequency, said device comprising: a first circuit for outputting a number representing a currently selected frequency; a second circuit for receiving said number and completing a counting operation during a time period representative of the currently selected frequency; and a third circuit for outputting a pulse at the completion of the counting operation by the second circuit; wherein, at the completion of each counting operation by the second circuit and until an acknowledgement signal is received, the first circuit outputs a next number representing a next frequency differing by a predetermined amount from the currently selected frequency, for causing the second circuit to complete a next counting operation during a time period representative of the next frequency and for causing the third circuit to output a next pulse, thereby producing the first pulse stream having successive pulses each at a frequency differing from a preceding pulse by the predetermined amount, and wherein at the completion of a counting operation by the second circuit and after the acknowledgement signal is received, the first circuit is restricted to output a next number at the currently selected frequency only, causing the second circuit to complete a next counting operation during a time period representative of the currently selected frequency and the third circuit to output a next pulse, thereby producing a pulse stream at the currently selected frequency.