Nonvolatile serially programmable devices

U.S. Patent Number: 5319598

Abstract: An integrated circuit including a serial interface (12) having a nonvolatile memory (30) coupled to a and configuration of circuit boards and entire systems. A configurable circuits (10) containing switches, resistors, capacitors or digital logic devices has an unique identification code and is electrically configured by connection to a nonvolatile memory (30). An interrogation shift register (38) and a configuration data shift register (36) are serially connected to receive a serial bit stream (50) containing an interrogation code section and a configuration data section. The interrogation code, which is identical to the identification code of a selected one of the configurable circuits, is compared with the circuit identification code to provide a match pulse (42) that enables a program signal to initiate transfer of data from the data shift register (36) to the nonvolatile memory (30).

Inventors: Aralis; James M. (Mission Viejo, CA), Bohac, Jr.; Frank J. (Laguna Hills, CA)

Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company (Los Angeles, CA)

Application Number: 07/624,838

Issued: 1994-06-07

Expired: 2006-06-07

Classes: 365/189.12 ; 257/E21.526; 365/189.07; 365/78

Field of search: 365/189.01,189.12,189.04,73,78

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