# Patent

## Title
Increment/decrement, chip select and selectable write to non-volatile memory using a two signal control protocol for an integrated circuit device

## Abstract

An integrated circuit having a device with an adjustable parameter utilizes a two signal control protocol to select the device, perform an up/down or increment/decrement of the parameter value with or without saving the parameter value in a non-volatile memory of the integrated circuit.

## Background
RELATED PATENT APPLICATION
This application claims priority to commonly owned U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/593,035; filed Jul. 30, 2004; entitled “Increment/Decrement, Chip Select And Selectable Write To Non-Volatile Memory Using a Two Signal Control Protocol for an Integrated Circuit Device,” by JAMES SIMONS; which is hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.


TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to digital integrated circuit devices having non-volatile memory, and, more particularly, to control of a device parameter and selectable storage thereof in non-volatile memory using a two signal protocol.
BACKGROUND OF THE RELATED TECHNOLOGY
Integrated circuit devices are becoming smaller and with fewer signal leads for both cost and space considerations. Typically an integrated circuit device may be in an integrated circuit package having five to eight pins. At least two of these pins must be used for power and ground, e.g., VDD and VSS, respectively. This leaves only three to six pins for useful signal and control purposes. When a plurality of integrated circuit devices, either on a single integrated circuit die or on multiple dice, are in an integrated circuit package, more pins may be used but are still limited due to the number of device functions.
Typical integrated circuit devices whose parameter values are increased and decreased are, for example, digital rheostat, digital potentiometer, digital counter, programmable gain amplifier, modulo N-frequency divider, and digital-to-analog converter (DAC). What is commonly required for these incremental/decremental dependent devices is some way to control incrementing and decrementing the parameter values used by the device. Another desirable feature in these devices is storage in a non-volatile memory of the last parameter value used before power is removed from the device or to protect against a corrupting event such as static discharge or radio frequency interference (RFI).
Non-volatile memory may be, for example, one time programmable (OTP) electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable and programmable read only memory (EEPROM), FLASH memory and the like. However, there is a significant write time required when writing to the non-volatile memory, power usage when writing, and there is a limit to how many times the non-volatile memory may be written to before data errors make the non-volatile memory unreliable and thus unusable.
What is needed is an integrated circuit device that uses a minimum number of signal nodes or pins for incrementing and decrementing parameter values and for selectively storing a parameter value(s) in non-volatile memory of the integrated circuit device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention overcomes the above-identified problems as well as other shortcomings and deficiencies of existing technologies by providing hardware and software methods, systems and apparatus for an integrated circuit device to increment and decrement parameters thereof, and selectively save the parameters in non-volatile memory by using a control protocol requiring only two signal nodes of the integrated circuit device. The integrated circuit device may be, for example but not limited to, a digital rheostat, digital potentiometer, digital counter, programmable gain amplifier, modulo N-frequency divider, digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and the like. The invention has application to any electronic circuit that has a parameter(s) that must be incremented and decremented then saved in a non-volatile memory so as to retain the value of the parameter when power is removed from the integrated circuit device.
According to a specific exemplary embodiment of the invention, an up/down or increment/decrement (hereinafter “U/D”) control signal and a chip select (hereinafter “CS”) control signal may be used in combination for incrementing and decrementing parameters of an integrated circuit device and for selectively saving the parameters in non-volatile memory. Incrementing and decrementing parameters of the integrated circuit device may be performed without saving the parameters in non-volatile memory, or the parameter(s) may be saved after the increment or decrement to the parameter is performed. The U/D and CS control signals may be at either a first logic level or a second logic level, independently of each other. The U/D and CS control signals may also be “active low” (enabled when at a logic low), “active high” (enabled when at a logic high) or any combination thereof and independently of each other.
For ease in the following explanation of this specific exemplary embodiment, a transition from the first logic level to the second logic level will be referred to as a “rising edge” and a transition from the second logic level to the first logic level will be referred to as a “falling edge.”
The CS control signal selects a specific integrated circuit device when it goes from the second logic level to the first logic level (falling edge). The logic level at which the U/D control signal is at upon a CS control signal falling edge determines whether the integrated circuit device will increment (U/D control signal at the second logic level upon a CS control signal falling edge) or decrement (U/D control signal at the first logic level upon a CS control signal falling edge) on each subsequent rising edge of the U/D control signal logic level transitions.
A write to non-volatile memory of the latest parameter value will occur if the U/D logic levels at the falling edge and the subsequent rising edge of the CS control signal are different logic levels. If the U/D logic levels are the same at both the falling edge and the subsequent rising edge of the CS control signal, then a write to non-volatile memory will not occur. This gives the present invention the ability to control the device parameter without having to perform a long time duration write to non-volatile memory every time the CS control signal deselects the integrated circuit device. Thus, writing the latest device parameter to the non-volatile memory may be performed independently of any parameter changes made during the selection of the device by the CS control signal. A great deal of power and device latency time may be saved by only writing to the non-volatile memory when appropriate. Reducing the number of times a non-volatile memory is written to will increase its useful operating life.
For example, if the first logic level is represented by “0”, the second logic level is represented by “1”, a rising edge transition by “↑” and a falling edge transition by “↓”. For the decrement mode—U/D=0 and ↓CS; thereafter CS=0, and for each ↑U/D the parameter will decrement by one unit. If U/D=1 when ↑CS then there will be a write to non-volatile memory of the last decrement of the device parameter. However, if U/D=0 when ↑CS then there will not be a write to non-volatile memory. Similarly, for the increment mode—U/D=1 and ↓CS; thereafter CS=0, and for each ↑U/D the parameter will increment by one unit. If U/D=0 when ↑CS then there will be a write to non-volatile memory of the last increment of the device parameter. However, if U/D=1 when ↑CS then there will not be a write to non-volatile memory.
It is contemplated and within the scope of the invention that any combination of CS and U/D control signal logic level edge transition directions and logic levels may be used in performing the aforementioned control operations, according to the invention, e.g., the first logic level may be substituted for the second logic level and visa versa. In addition, rising edge transitions “↑” and falling edge transitions “↓” may be interchanged without affecting the operation of the invention.
The integrated circuit device may be packaged in a low pin count package such as, for example, SOT-23-5, SOT-23-6, MSOP-8, SOIC-8 and the like.
Examples of digital potentiometers and rheostats are more fully described in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 6,201,491, by Brunolli, et al., issued Mar. 13, 2001, and is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.
A technical advantage of the invention is using only two signal nodes to control incrementing and decrementing of a device parameter, writing or not writing the device parameter to non-volatile memory and device selection of the integrated circuit device.
Another technical advantage is minimizing the requirement for control signal pins in a low pin count package.
Another technical advantage is minimizing the number of write operations to a non-volatile memory having a finite number of useful writes available.
Another technical advantage is lowering power consumption of the integrated circuit by reducing the number of write operations to a non-volatile memory of the integrated circuit.
Another technical advantage is faster incrementing and decrementing of the device parameter when not having to write the parameter to non-volatile memory.
A technical feature of the invention is multifunction control signals used in various combinations for a plurality of control functions with a minimum number of control signals.
Features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the embodiments, given for the purpose of disclosure and taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A more complete understanding of the present disclosure and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:
FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an integrated circuit device, according to an exemplary specific embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of a digital rheostat having a one end connected to power supply VSS and the wiper available for connection to an external circuit;
FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of a digital rheostat having a one end and the wiper available for connection to an external circuit;
FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of a digital potentiometer having a first end connected to power supply VSS, a second end and the wiper available for connection to an external circuit;
FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of a digital potentiometer having first and second ends, and the wiper available for connection to an external circuit;
FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic signal diagram of a control signal sequence for decrementing a device parameter with and without the parameter being written to non-volatile memory, according to an exemplary specific embodiment of the invention; and
FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic signal diagram of a control signal sequence for incrementing a device parameter with and without the parameter being written to non-volatile memory, according to another exemplary specific embodiment of the invention.



While the present invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawing and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
The present invention is directed to a method, system and apparatus for an integrated circuit device to increment and decrement parameters thereof, and selectively save the parameters in non-volatile memory by using a control protocol requiring only two signal nodes of the integrated circuit device.
Referring now to the drawing, the details of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are schematically illustrated. Like elements in the drawings will be represented by like numbers, and similar elements will be represented by like numbers with a different lower case letter suffix.
Referring now to FIG. 1, depicted is a schematic block diagram of an integrated circuit device, according to an exemplary specific embodiment of the invention. The integrated circuit device, generally represented by the numeral 100, may comprise power-up and brown-out control 102, 2-wire interface and control logic 104, wiper control (increment/decrement) register 106, non-volatile memory (e.g., OTP EPROM, EEPROM or FLASH) 108, and a device parameter 110 (e.g., digital rheostat, digital potentiometer, digital counter, programmable gain amplifier, modulo N-frequency divider, digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and the like).
The power-up and brown-out control 102 insures that the device powers up in a known condition and will not perform logic and control functions if the power supply voltage is too low.
The 2-wire interface and control logic 104 is adapted to receiver control signals, wherein each control signal may be at one of two logic levels, e.g., a first logic level (“0”) that may be at substantially the same voltage as power supply VSS, and a second logic level (“1”) that may be at substantially the same voltage as power supply VDD. The 2-wire interface and control logic 104 detects the received logic levels and also may determine when the input control signals transition from the first logic level to the second logic level (rising edge transition “↑”) and from the second logic level to the first logic level (falling edge transition “↓”). The combination of logic levels received by the 2-wire interface and control logic 104, and the signal transition direction may be decoded for device selection, control of the device parameter, and selective writing of the parameter to the non-volatile memory 108. The device parameter may be controlled by the decrementing and incrementing the register 106 with the 2-wire interface and control logic 104. A chip select (“CS”) input 112 may be used to select or enable the device 100. An up-down (increment/decrement) (“U/D”) input 114 may be used for incrementing and decrementing the device parameter 110.
Referring now to FIGS. 2–5, depicted are schematic diagrams of various configurations for specific variable resistance devices, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. A rheostat generally has two nodes, A and W, between which is an adjustable resistance. A potentiometer generally has three nodes, A, B and W. A is a top node, B is a bottom node and W is a node coupled to an adjustable portion of the potentiometer resistance. Rheostat 110a, depicted in FIG. 2, has the B node connected to package pin 2, VSS, and the W node connected to package pin 5 of the device 100. Rheostat 110b, depicted in FIG. 3, has the A node connected to package pin 6 and the W node connected to package pin 5 of the device 100. Potentiometer 110c, depicted in FIG. 4, has the A node connected to package pin 6, the W node connected to package pin 5 and the B node connected to package pin 2, VSS, of the device 100. Potentiometer 110d, depicted in FIG. 5, has the A node connected to package pin 3, the W node connected to package pin 4 and the B node connected to package pin 6 of the device 100. VDD and VSS are power and ground, respectively, for each of the devices 100.
The device 100 control protocol for the device parameter 110 is asserted by the combination of logic levels on the CS input 112 and U/D input 114, and transition directions thereof. Referring now to FIG. 6, depicted is a schematic signal diagram of a control signal sequence for decrementing a device parameter 110 with and without the parameter 110 value being written to the non-volatile (NV) memory 108. At time 602, U/D input 114 is at the first logic level and the CS input 112 is in a falling edge transition from the second to the first logic level. This indicates to the control logic 104 that the parameter 110 will be decremented on subsequent rising edge transitions of the U/D input 114 for so long as the CS input 112 is at the first logic level. At times 604, 606 and 608, the U/D input 114 has a rising edge transition and the parameter 110 is thereby decremented by three units. However, the parameter value stored in the non-volatile memory 108 remains at the original starting value (X). At time 610, the CS input 112 returns to the second logic level while the U/D input 114 is at the second logic level. This results in the last value (X−3) of the parameter 110 being written to the non-volatile memory 108.
At time 612, U/D input 114 is at the first logic level and the CS input 112 is in a falling edge transition from the second to the first logic level. This indicates to the control logic 104 that the parameter 110 will be decremented on subsequent rising edge transitions of the U/D input 114 for so long as the CS input 112 is at the first logic level. At times 614, 616 and 618, the U/D input 114 has a rising edge transition and the parameter 110 is thereby decremented by three units. At time 620, the CS input 112 returns to the second logic level while the U/D input 114 is at the first logic level. This results in no writing of the parameter 110 to the non-volatile memory 108. Thus, the non-volatile memory 108 will retain the last written (at 610) value (X−3).
Referring now to FIG. 7, depicted is a schematic signal diagram of a control signal sequence for incrementing a device parameter 110 with and without the parameter 110 value being written to the non-volatile memory 108. At time 702, U/D input 114 is at the second logic level and the CS input 112 is in a falling edge transition from the second to the first logic level. This indicates to the control logic 104 that the parameter 110 will be incremented on subsequent rising edge transitions of the U/D input 114 for so long as the CS input 112 is at the first logic level. At times 704, 706 and 708, the U/D input 114 has a rising edge transition and the parameter 110 is thereby incremented by three units (X+3). At time 710, the CS input 112 returns to the second logic level while the U/D input 114 is at the first logic level. This results in the last value (X+3) of the parameter 110 being written to the non-volatile memory 108.
At time 712, U/D input 114 is at the second logic level and the CS input 112 is in a falling edge transition from the second to the first logic level. This indicates to the control logic 104 that the parameter 110 will be incremented on subsequent rising edge transitions of the U/D input 114 for so long as the CS input 112 is at the first logic level. At times 714, 716 and 718, the U/D input 114 has a rising edge transition and the parameter 110 is thereby incremented by three units. At time 720, the CS input 112 returns to the second logic level while the U/D input 114 is at the second logic level. This results in no writing of the parameter 110 to the non-volatile memory 108. Thus, the non-volatile memory 108 will retain the last written (at 710) value (X+3).
Chip selection, incrementing and decrementing the device parameter 110, and independent control of writing the value of parameter 110 to a non-volatile memory 108 are performed with only two input signals, CS input 112 and U/D input 114. The present specific exemplary embodiment determines writing to the non-volatile memory 108 when the U/D input 114 is at different logic levels when the CS input 112 goes from the second logic level to the first logic level (falling transition) and then back to the second logic level (rising transition), however, it is contemplated and within the scope of the invention that the U/D input 114 being at the same logic level when the CS input 112 changes from the second logic level to the first logic level and then back to the first logic level that a write may be performed. Also, falling transitions of the U/D input may be used to increment and decrement the value of the parameter 110.
The invention, therefore, is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as others inherent therein. While the invention has been depicted, described, and is defined by reference to exemplary embodiments of the invention, such references do not imply a limitation on the invention, and no such limitation is to be inferred. The invention is capable of considerable modification, alternation, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to those ordinarily skilled in the pertinent arts and having the benefit of this disclosure. The depicted and described embodiments of the invention are exemplary only, and are not exhaustive of the scope of the invention. Consequently, the invention is intended to be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims, giving full cognizance to equivalents in all respects.

## Claims

1. An integrated circuit having a device with an adjustable parameter, comprising:
control logic having a first input and a second input, a memory control output and a parameter control output;
a device with an adjustable parameter having a range of values, wherein the parameter control output causes the adjustable parameter to change within the range of values to a present value; and
a non-volatile memory for storing the present value, wherein the memory control output causes the non-volatile memory to store the present value.

2. The integrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein the first input selects the device and the second input determines how much the adjustable parameter is changed.

3. The integrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein the first and second inputs select whether the present value is stored in the non-volatile memory.

4. The integrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein the first and second inputs determine whether the present value increases or decreases.

5. The integrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein the non-volatile memory retains the present value upon loss of power to the device or low voltage to the device.

6. The integrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein the device is a digital rheostat.

7. The integrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein the device is a digital potentiometer.

8. The integrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein the device is a digital counter.

9. The integrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein the device is a programmable gain amplifier.

10. The integrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein the device is a modulo N-frequency divider.

11. The integrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein the device is a digital-to-analog converter (DAC).

12. The integrated circuit according to claim 1, further comprising an integrated circuit package encapsulating the control logic, the device and the non-volatile memory.

13. The integrated circuit according to claim 12, wherein the integrated circuit package is selected from the group consisting of SOT-23-5, SOT-23-6, MSOP-8, and SOIC-8.

14. The integrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein the non-volatile memory is one time programmable (OTP) electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM).

15. The integrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein the non-volatile memory is electrically erasable and programmable read only memory (EEPROM).

16. The integrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein the non-volatile memory is FLASH memory.

17. The integrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein:
when the second input is at a first logic level and the first input goes from a second logic level to the first logic level,
then each time the second input goes from the first logic level to the second logic level the present value decreases until the first input goes to the second logic level, wherein
if the second input is at the second logic level when the first input goes to the second logic level then the present value is stored in the non-volatile memory, otherwise, the present value is not stored in the non-volatile memory.

18. The integrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein:
when the second input is at a second logic level and the first input goes from the second logic level to a first logic level,
then each time the second input goes from the first logic level to the second logic level the present value increases until the first input goes to the second logic level, wherein
if the second input is at the first logic level when the first input goes to the second logic level then the present value is stored in the non-volatile memory, otherwise, the present value is not stored in the non-volatile memory.

19. A method of selecting an integrated circuit device having an adjustable parameter, changing a present value of the adjustable parameter and storing the present value in a non-volatile memory using two control inputs, said method comprising the steps of:
determining whether a first control input is at a first or a second logic level;
determining whether a second control input is at the first or the second logic level; wherein:
if the first control input is at the first logic level then selecting an integrated circuit device having an adjustable parameter;
determining whether the second control input was at the first logic level or the second logic level when the first control input went from the second logic level to the first logic level, wherein
if the second control input was at the second logic level when the first control input went from the second logic level to the first logic level then increase a present value of the adjustable parameter each time the second control input goes from the first logic level to the second logic level, and
if the second control input was at the first logic level when the first control input went from the second logic level to the first logic level then decrease the present value of the adjustable parameter each time the second control input goes from the first logic level to the second logic level,
until the first control input goes from the first logic level to the second logic level;
then if the second control input is at a logic level opposite to the logic level when the first control input went from the second logic level to the first logic level then store the present value in non-volatile memory, otherwise, do not stored the present value in the non-volatile memory.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the adjustable parameter is resistance.

21. The method according to claim 19, wherein the adjustable parameter is voltage.

22. The method according to claim 19, wherein the adjustable parameter is current.

23. The method according to claim 19, wherein the adjustable parameter is frequency.

24. The method according to claim 19, wherein the adjustable parameter is frequency division.

25. The method according to claim 19, wherein the adjustable parameter is amplifier gain.

26. The method according to claim 19, wherein the first logic level is substantially at a power supply common voltage, and the second logic level is substantially at the power supply positive voltage.

27. The method according to claim 19, wherein the second logic level is substantially at a power supply common voltage, and the first logic level is substantially at the power supply positive voltage.

28. A method of selecting an integrated circuit device having an adjustable parameter, changing a present value of the adjustable parameter and storing the present value in a non-volatile memory using two control inputs, said method comprising the steps of:
determining whether a first control input is at a first or a second logic level;
determining whether a second control input is at the first or the second logic level; wherein:
if the first control input is at the first logic level then selecting an integrated circuit device having an adjustable parameter;
determining whether the second control input was at the first logic level or the second logic level when the first control input went from the second logic level to the first logic level, wherein
if the second control input was at the second logic level when the first control input went from the second logic level to the first logic level then increase a present value of the adjustable parameter each time the second control input goes from the second logic level to the first logic level, and
if the second control input was at the first logic level when the first control input went from the second logic level to the first logic level then decrease the present value of the adjustable parameter each time the second control input goes from the second logic level to the first logic level,
until the first control input goes from the first logic level to the second logic level;
then if the second control input is at a logic level opposite to the logic level when the first control input went from the second logic level to the first logic level then store the present value in non-volatile memory, otherwise, do not stored the present value in the non-volatile memory.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein the first logic level is substantially at a power supply common voltage, and the second logic level is substantially at the power supply positive voltage.

30. The method according to claim 28, wherein the second logic level is substantially at a power supply common voltage, and the first logic level is substantially at the power supply positive voltage.

31. A method of selecting an integrated circuit device having an adjustable parameter, changing a present value of the adjustable parameter and storing the present value in a non-volatile memory using two control inputs, said method comprising the steps of:
determining whether a first control input is at a first or a second logic level;
determining whether a second control input is at the first or the second logic level; wherein:
if the first control input is at the second logic level then selecting an integrated circuit device having an adjustable parameter;
determining whether the second control input was at the first logic level or the second logic level when the first control input went from the first logic level to the second logic level, wherein
if the second control input was at the second logic level when the first control input went from the first logic level to the second logic level then change a present value of the adjustable parameter in a first direction each time the second control input goes from the first logic level to the second logic level, and
if the second control input was at the first logic level when the first control input went from the second logic level to the first logic level then change the present value of the adjustable parameter in a second direction each time the second control input goes from the first logic level to the second logic level,
until the first control input goes from the second logic level to the first logic level;
then if the second control input is at a logic level opposite to the logic level when the first control input went from the first logic level to the second logic level then store the present value in non-volatile memory, otherwise, do not stored the present value in the non-volatile memory.

32. The method according to claim 31, wherein the first second direction is substantially opposite to the first direction.

33. The method according to claim 31, wherein the first logic level is substantially at a power supply common voltage, and the second logic level is substantially at the power supply positive voltage.

34. The method according to claim 31, wherein the second logic level is substantially at a power supply common voltage, and the first logic level is substantially at the power supply positive voltage.

35. A method of selecting an integrated circuit device having an adjustable parameter, changing a present value of the adjustable parameter and storing the present value in a non-volatile memory using two control inputs, said method comprising the steps of:
determining whether a first control input is at a first or a second logic level;
determining whether a second control input is at the first or the second logic level; wherein:
if the first control input is at the second logic level then selecting an integrated circuit device having an adjustable parameter;
determining whether the second control input was at the first logic level or the second logic level when the first control input went from the first logic level to the second logic level, wherein
if the second control input was at the second logic level when the first control input went from the first logic level to the second logic level then change a present value of the adjustable parameter in a first direction each time the second control input goes from the second logic level to the first logic level, and
if the second control input was at the first logic level when the first control input went from the second logic level to the first logic level then change the present value of the adjustable parameter in a second direction each time the second control input goes from the second logic level to the first logic level,
until the first control input goes from the second logic level to the first logic level;
then if the second control input is at a logic level opposite to the logic level when the first control input went from the first logic level to the second logic level then store the present value in non-volatile memory, otherwise, do not stored the present value in the non-volatile memory.

36. The method according to claim 35, wherein the first second direction is substantially opposite to the first direction.

37. The method according to claim 35, wherein the first logic level is substantially at a power supply common voltage, and the second logic level is substantially at the power supply positive voltage.

38. The method according to claim 35, wherein the second logic level is substantially at a power supply common voltage, and the first logic level is substantially at the power supply positive voltage.