Patent ID: 6038400
Filing Date: 2000-03-14
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
An integrated circuit having a plurality of terminals for communicating signals with another device, the integrated circuit comprising:interface circuitry configurable to communicate signals with the other device via the plurality of terminals in accordance with any one of a plurality of interface protocols responsive to a mode selection signal; andprotocol identifying circuitry coupled to at least one of the plurality of terminals for monitoring at least one time varying signal communicated to the integrated circuit by the other device, and coupled to the interface circuitry for providing the mode selection signal, wherein each of the plurality of interface protocols has a corresponding signature, and the protocol identifying circuitry provides the mode selection signal responsive to detecting an occurrence of any of the signatures in the at least one monitored signal, so that the interface is configured to use the same protocol as that used by the other device to communicate the signals to the integrated circuit.