Patent ID: 7394729

Claim:
A method for assigning a value to a fixed parameter in an electrical device, the fixed parameter having a plurality of states, the method comprising: associating a time value to each of the plurality of states of the fixed parameter; driving a first input terminal of the electrical device to a first voltage value; receiving an input ramp signal on the first input terminal of the electrical device, the input ramp signal having a first time constant value and a voltage magnitude that varies from the first voltage value to a second voltage value, the input ramp signal being initiated when the first input terminal is driven to the first voltage value; comparing the voltage level of the input ramp signal to a threshold value; when the voltage level of the input ramp signal reaches the threshold value, determining the elapsed time from the driving of the first input terminal; and selecting a state for the fixed parameter based on the elapsed time from the driving of the first input terminal to the voltage level of the input ramp signal reaching the threshold level.