Patent ID: 6493788
Filing Date: 2002-12-10
Classification: G06F,G11C

Abstract:
An apparatus for in-circuit programming of an integrated circuit comprising:a processor on the integrated circuit which executes instructions; an external port on the integrated circuit through which data is received from an external source; a first memory array comprising reprogrammable non-volatile memory cells on the integrated circuit, which stores instructions for execution by the processor, including a set of instructions for controlling transfer of an in-circuit programming set of instructions into the integrated circuit from the external source through the external port; and a second memory array on the integrated circuit, and wherein the in-circuit programming set of instructions includes logic to: write a copy of the original in-circuit programming set from the first memory array to the second memory array to create a mirrored in-circuit programming set; control a code multiplexer to switch the processor control from the original in-circuit programming set to the mirrored in-circuit programming set in the second memory array; and update the in-circuit programming set in the first memory array under the control of the mirrored in-circuit programming set in the second memory array.