Abstract:
A microcontroller device has a central processing unit (CPU); a data memory coupled with the CPU divided into a plurality of memory banks, a plurality of special function registers and general purpose registers which may be memory-mapped, wherein at least the following special function registers are memory-mapped to all memory banks a status register, a bank select register, a plurality of indirect memory address registers, a working register, and a program counter high latch; and wherein upon occurrence of a context switch, the CPU is operable to automatically save the content of the status register, the bank select register, the plurality of indirect memory address registers, the working register, and the program counter high latch, and upon return from the context switch restores the content of the status register, the bank select register, the plurality of indirect memory address registers, the working register, and the program counter high latch.
Abstract:
A processor includes a central processing unit (CPU) and a direct memory access (DMA) adapter circuit. The DMA adapter circuit includes a DMA controller circuit and is configured to interface with a legacy internal hardware peripheral and with a DMA-enabled internal hardware peripheral. The DMA-enabled internal hardware peripheral includes a first special function register (SFR). The legacy internal hardware peripheral includes no DMA features. The CPU is configured to execute a legacy application that accesses a setting in memory through the legacy internal hardware peripheral. Execution of the legacy application includes access by the CPU of the setting in memory. The DMA controller circuit is configured to access the setting in memory during execution of a DMA-enabled application through the DMA-enabled internal hardware peripheral.
Abstract:
External conditions, e.g., smoke, temperature, humidity, humidity, pressure, flow rate, etc., affects a sensor's characteristics, wherein the sensor provides a current output representative of its characteristics as affected by the external conditions. The current output of the sensor is coupled to a sample and hold capacitor for a precision time period thereby charging the sample and hold capacitor to a voltage proportional to current provided by the sensor over the precision time period. The voltage on the sample and hold capacitor is converted to a digital representation and a determination is made whether the external condition represents an alarm situation, e.g., smoke detected from a fire.
Abstract:
A combined power and input/output system for an electronic device includes a host system; a target system operably coupled to the host system via a combined power and I/O line; and a power boost circuit in the target system for enabling a higher voltage target device.
Abstract:
A digitally controlled ramp generator has a constant current source, a first controllable switch coupled between the constant current source and an output node, a capacitor coupled with the output node, a second controllable switch coupled with the output node, a constant current sink coupled with the second controllable switch, and a control unit. The control unit is configured in a first operating mode to select control signals for the first and second controllable switch to generate a rising waveform by charging said capacitor through the first controllable switch and a falling waveform by discharging the capacitor through the second controllable switch wherein the control signals can be selected from the group of a time based control signal and a voltage based control signal. A variety of other control modes may be provided.
Abstract:
A smoke detection sensor ion chamber has a capacitance and a change in the permittivity of that capacitance dielectric (ionized air in the chamber) may be used to detect the presence of smoke therein. Smoke from typical fires is mainly composed of unburned carbon that has diffused in the surrounding air and rises with the heat of the fire. The permittivity of the carbon particles is about 10 to 15 times the permittivity of clean air. The addition of the carbon particles into the air in the ion chamber changes in the permittivity thereof that is large enough to measure by measuring a change in capacitance of the ion chamber.
Abstract:
A processor includes a central processing unit (CPU) and a direct memory access (DMA) adapter circuit. The DMA adapter circuit includes a DMA controller circuit and is configured to interface with a legacy internal hardware peripheral and with a DMA-enabled internal hardware peripheral. The DMA-enabled internal hardware peripheral includes a first special function register (SFR). The legacy internal hardware peripheral includes no DMA features. The CPU is configured to execute a legacy application that accesses a setting in memory through the legacy internal hardware peripheral. Execution of the legacy application includes access by the CPU of the setting in memory. The DMA controller circuit is configured to access the setting in memory during execution of a DMA-enabled application through the DMA-enabled internal hardware peripheral.
Abstract:
A BLDC motor drive system may be configured to provide a programmable PWM current waveform, e.g., a sinusoidal PWM current, to the motor. The drive system may include control electronics configured to generate a series of PWM control signals at a control signal frequency based on (a) the present motor speed data as determined by an angular timer, based on sensor-based rotor angle data, (b) a target motor speed, e.g., based on a thermal management unit, and (c) stored current waveform data defining a target current for each angular segment of the BDLC rotor, the target currents defining an non-rectangular waveform shape. The PWM control signals are used by a PWM unit to produce a non-rectangular, e.g., sinusoidal, PWM current for controlling the BDLC.
Abstract:
An ion chamber provides a current representative of its characteristics as affected by external conditions, e.g., clean air or smoke. A direct current (DC) voltage is applied to the ion chamber at a first polarity and the resulting current through the ion chamber and parasitic leakage current is measured at the first polarity, then the DC voltage is applied to the ion chamber at a second polarity opposite the first polarity, and the resulting current through the ion chamber and parasitic leakage current is measured at the second polarity. Since substantially no current flows through the ion chamber at the second polarity, the common mode parasitic leakage current contribution may be removed from the total current measurement by subtracting the current measured at the second polarity from the current measured at the first polarity, resulting in just the current through the ion chamber.
Abstract:
A combined power and input/output system for an electronic device includes a host system; a target system operably coupled to the host system via a combined power and I/O line; and a power boost circuit in the target system for enabling a higher voltage target device.