Patent ID: 6728892
Filing Date: 2004-04-27
Classification: G06F,H04L,Y02D

Abstract:
A method for conserving power in a CAN microcontroller, formed by a single integrated circuit (IC), that includes a processor core and a CAN/CAL module that includes a plurality of sub-blocks that cooperatively function to process incoming CAL/CAN messages, the method comprising the steps of:placing the processor core in a power-reduction mode of operation; placing the CAN/CAL module in a power-reduction mode of operation; and, activating the CAN/CAL module to process an incoming CAL/CAN message, thereby terminating the power-reduction mode of operation thereof, while the processor core is in its power-reduction mode of operations; wherein the CAN/CAL module is placed in the power-reduction mode of operation only after each respective sub-block of the plurality of sub-blocks of the CAN/CAL module indicates a current inactive state, said processor core indicates a current inactive state, and no incoming CAL/CAN message is detected.