Microcomputer

Abstract: A microcomputer incorporates an EPROM for storing programs and data which a CPU executes, and includes, as operating modes, a microcomputer mode for operating as a microcomputer, a test mode for testing the operation of the CPU and an EPROM mode for writing in and reading from the EPROM. A test terminal of the microcomputer is used for mode switching control, i.e., used as a power supply terminal for test/program. By the logic level of this terminal, switching between the microcomputer mode and the test mode is performed, and a program voltage is also supplied. By a control terminal, which is another terminal, switching between the test mode and the EPROM mode is performed.

Description: Field of the Art This invention relates to a microcomputer, and more particularly to a one-chip microcomputer incorporating an EPROM for storing programs and data which a CPU executes. Prior Art In general, in a one-chip MCU (Micro-Computer Unit) which incorporates an EPROM (Electrically Programmable Read Only Memory) as well as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), there are a microcomputer mode which operates as a microcomputer, an EPROM mode which writes in and reads from the EPROM and a test mode which tests the CPU. Each of these modes is determined by a state of each of terminals of I/O (input/output) port, clock, reset, other control input signals, or the like, when power supply is applied or rest is released. The mode generally used by the user is the microcomputer mode. The switching between the microcomputer mode, the EPROM mode and the test mode is determined by a state of each of the above-described terminals. Hence, the user must design circuit taking into consideration the state of each terminal so that an unexpected mode is not obtained when power supply is applied, or rest is released. Thus, there are problems such that restraint arises in interface with peripheral circuits. Terminal conditions can be uniformly fixed when the EPROM mode is used. However, in order to operate the EPROM mode by the same specifications as those for a general purpose EPROM, and write in and read from the EPROM mode by a general purpose programmer, it is necessary to provide a power supply terminal V pp for program, an address terminal, a data terminal and a control terminal. The power supply terminal V pp for program is used only when the EPROM mode is selected, and not used in the microcomputer mode and test mode. Further, in a microcomputer incorporating a mask ROM, which has the same functions as a microcomputer incorporating an EPROM, the power supply terminal V pp for program is unnecessary too. However, considering compatibility of both the microcomputers, it is necessary, in the microcomputer incorporating a mask ROM, that a terminal corresponding to the power supply terminal V pp for program of the microcomputer incorporating an EPROM having the same functions is not used, i.e., in the state of NC (no connection). Hence, there is a problem that the microcomputer incorporating a mask ROM must be originally designed with the number of terminals less by one terminal. As described above, in the conventional microcomputer incorporating an EPROM, there is a problem that, when the user uses the microcomputer as the microcomputer mode, a restraint arises in the design of interface with peripheral circuits due to the setting of terminal conditions for switching modes. There is also a problem that a restraint arises in the use of terminals, because it is necessary to provide the power supply terminal V pp for program which is used only for the EPROM mode. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide, taking into consideration the above-described circumstances, a microcomputer in which the user can design its interface with peripheral circuits without restrictions relative to the use of terminals when used in the microcomputer mode. According to the present invention as defined in claim 1, there is provided a microcomputer incorporating an EPROM for storing programs and data for execution by a CPU, and including, as operating modes, a microcomputer mode for operating as a microcomputer, a test mode for testing the operation of said CPU and an EPROM mode for programming, verifying and reading from said EPROM, said microcomputer comprising: two terminals for switching modes comprising a test/program terminal for inputting a switching signal to enable selection of either said microcomputer mode or the other two modes, and for inputting a programming voltage for writing in said EPROM in EPROM mode, and a control terminal for inputting a signal for selecting either said test mode or said EPROM mode; and a mode selection and switching circuit for a) selecting said microcomputer mode when said test/program terminal is at a low logic level, b) selecting said test mode when said test/program terminal is at a high logic level and the control terminal is at a first logic level, and c) selecting said EPROM mode when said test/program terminal is at said high logic level and the control terminal is at a second logic level, said second logic level being different from the first logic level. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a microcomputer according to an embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 2 is a time chart for explaining the operation of the microcomputer shown in FIG. 1. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRERERRED EMBODIMENT A microcomputer according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. A microcomputer 1 according to the present embodiment incorporates an EPROM, and includes a power supply terminal V cc , a reset release terminal RESET, input/output port I/O, input terminals I₀, I₁, I₂ and I₃ of control signal ports, and a power supply terminal TEST/V pp for test/program as a mode switching terminal. A quartz oscillator 2 is connected to the microcomputer 1. The present invention has a feature in that, paying attention to the fact that a test terminal not open to the user can be utilized for mode switching control, the power supply terminal TEST/V pp for test/program as a mode switching terminal uses in common a terminal function for test and a terminal function for a power supply for program. The input terminal I₀ and the power supply terminal TEST/V pp for test/program are connected to a mode setting circuit provided within the microcomputer 1. That is, the input terminal I₀ is connected to a data input terminal D of a D-type flip-flop 3. The power supply terminal TEST/V pp for test/program is connected, via a buffer 4, to a clock input terminal CK of the D-type flip-flop 3, an input terminal of an inverter 5, an input terminal of an AND circuit 6 and an input terminal of an AND circuit 7, respectively. Further, an output terminal Q of the D-type flip-flop 3 is connected to the input terminal of the AND circuit 6, and an output terminal Q is connected to the input terminal of the AND circuit 7. An output terminal of the inverter 5 is connected to a terminal MCU which generates a mode signal of level "1" at the microcomputer mode, an output terminal of the AND circuit 6 is connected to a terminal TEST which generates a mode signal of level "1" at the test mode, and an output terminal of the AND circuit 7 is connected to a terminal EPROM which generates a mode signal of "1" at the EPROM mode, respectively. Next, the operation will be explained with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing signal states of each of the power supply terminal V cc , the reset release terminal RESET , the input terminal I₀, the power supply terminal TEST/V pp for test/program, the terminal TEST and the terminal EPROM at each of the microcomputer mode, test mode and EPROM mode, respectively. In a state in which power supply voltage is input at the power supply terminal V cc , and further a reset release signal is input at the reset release terminal RESET , when both the input terminal I₀ and the power supply terminal TEST/V pp for test/program are at level "0", both the terminal TEST and the terminal EPROM become at level "0", and the terminal MCU becomes at level "1", and the mode at this time is the microcomputer mode. Thus, the microcomputer mode is selected by making the input of the power supply terminal TEST/V pp for test/program at level "0". Further, in a state in which power supply voltage is input at the power supply terminal V cc , and a reset release signal is also input at the reset release terminal RESET , when an input at the power supply terminal TEST/V pp for test/program is at level "1", and the input terminal I₀ is at level "1" at the rise edge of the input at the power supply terminal TEST/V pp for test/program, both the terminal MCU and the terminal EPROM become at level "0" and the terminal TEST becomes at level "1", and the mode at this time is the test mode. Thus, the test mode is selected by making the input at the power supply terminal TEST/V pp for test/program at level "1", and making the input terminal I₀ at level "1" at the rise edge of the input at the power supply terminal TEST/V pp for test/program. Further, in a state in which power supply voltage is input at the power supply terminal V cc , and a reset release signal is also input at the reset release terminal RESET , when an input at the power supply terminal TEST/V pp for test/program is at level "1", and the input terminal I₀ is at level "0" at the rise edge of the input of the power supply terminal TEST/V pp for test/program, both the terminal MCU and the terminal TEST become at level "0" and the terminal EPROM becomes at level "1", and the mode at this time is the EPROM mode. The EPROM mode becomes EPROM/READ mode when the power supply terminal TEST/V pp for test/program is at level "1", and becomes EPROM/VERIFY, PROGRAM mode by inputting the program voltage at the power supply terminal TEST/V pp for test/program. Thus, the EPROM mode is selected by making the input at the power supply terminal TEST/V pp for test/program at level "1", and making the input terminal I₀ at level "0" at the rise edge of the input at the power supply terminal TEST/V pp for test/program. Thus, switching between each of the microcomputer mode, the test mode and the EPROM mode is performed as follows. The microcomputer mode is selected by making the input at the power supply terminal TEST/V pp for test/program at level "0". By making the input at the power supply terminal TEST/V pp for test/program at level "1", and further, at the rise edge of the input at the power supply terminal TEST/V pp for test/program, by making the input terminal I₀ at level "1", or at level "0", the test mode, or the EPROM mode is selected, respectively. Thus, in the microcomputer incorporating an EPROM according to the present embodiment, there are advantages that the exclusive terminal for the power supply for program can be omitted, by using the power supply terminal for program for the purpose of writing in and reading from the EPROM in common with the terminal for test, and the omitted one terminal can be used as another terminal. Further, in the case of constituting a pin-compatible microcomputer in which the EPROM incorporated within the microcomputer according to the present invention is replaced by a mask ROM, a test terminal of the microcomputer incorporating the mask ROM may be provided corresponding to the test/program terminal of the microcomputer incorporating the EPROM. This test terminal is a terminal for switching the MCU mode and the test mode, and may be considered as the same as the test/program terminal of the microcomputer incorporating the EPROM, when it is not considered to select the EPROM mode. Hence, in the MCU mode which is usually used by the user, consideration may be made only to make the test terminal of the microcomputer incorporating the mask ROM at level "0", similarly to make the test/program terminal of the microcomputer incorporating the EPROM at level "0", and it is not necessary to consider about terminals other than the test terminal. Consequently, by using the microcomputer incorporating an EPROM according to the present embodiment, it is possible to exchange into the microcomputer incorporating a mask ROM without changing circuit design. As described above, according to the present invention, when the user uses the microcomputer as the microcomputer mode, it is possible to design interface with peripheral circuits without restrictions relative to the use of terminals.

Claims: A microcomputer (1) incorporating an EPROM for storing programs and data for execution by a CPU, and including, as operating modes, a microcomputer mode for operating as a microcomputer, a test mode for testing the operation of said CPU and an EPROM mode for programming, verifying and reading from said EPROM, said microcomputer comprising: two terminals for switching modes comprising a test/program terminal (TEST/Vpp) for inputting a switching signal to enable selection of either said microcomputer mode or the other two modes, and for inputting a programming voltage for writing in said EPROM in EPROM mode, and a control terminal (Io) for inputting a signal for selecting either said test mode or said EPROM mode; and a mode selection and switching circuit (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) for a) selecting said microcomputer mode when said test/program terminal is at a low logic level, b) selecting said test mode when said test/program terminal is at a high logic level and the control terminal is at a first logic level, and c) selecting said EPROM mode when said test/program terminal is at said high logic level and the control terminal is at a second logic level, said second logic level being different from the first logic level. A microcomputer according to claim 1, wherein said mode selection and switching circuit comprises: a circuit (5) for inverting the logic level of said test/program terminal; a D-type flip-flop (3), in which an input from said test/program terminal is provided to a clock input terminal and an input from said control terminal is provided to a data terminal, for generating a pair of outputs, of positive logic (Q) and negative logic ( Q ); a first AND gate (6) for generating a test mode output, one of inputs of said first AND gate being connected to one of the outputs of positive logic and negative logic of said D-type flip-flop and another input of said first AND gate being connected to the input from said test/program terminal; and a second AND gate (7) for generating an EPROM mode output, one of inputs of said second AND gate being connected to the other one of the outputs of positive logic and negative logic of said D-type flip-flop and another input of said second AND gate being connected to the input from said test/program terminal.

Inventors: MURASE KAZUYUKI, TASAKA NAOYASU, MURASE, KAZUYUKI, TASAKA, NAOYASU
Applicants: TOSHIBA KK, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
Application year: 1988
Main classification: G06F11
IPC codes: H01L27, H01L21, G06F11, G11C5, G06F15, G01R31, H01L29