Abstract: According to the present invention, a device and method accomplish in-line serial programming of a default configuration into a configurable device for connection to a message-based network. The configurable device includes an input/output unit, an electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM), programming logic and a protocol engine for exchanging messages with a message-based bus based on the default configuration. The input/output unit includes pins and logic for configuring a portion of the pins to operate in both a normal mode and as a clock pin, a data pin and a program pin in a programming mode. The electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM) stores a default configuration for the configurable device. The programming logic is coupled to the input/output unit. It receives signals from the data, clock and program pins and determines data and commands based on the signals.

Abstract: A method and device automatically convert a plurality of analog input channels using a single analog to digital conversion circuit. The device includes a multiplexer, an analog to digital conversion circuit and a configurable channel controller. The multiplexer has at least two analog input channels. The multiplexer also has control inputs and an output. The analog to digital conversion circuit is coupled to the output of the multiplexer and a clock signal. The analog to digital conversion circuit outputs a conversion value based on a voltage associated with the output of the multiplexer in successive clock cycles. The configurable channel controller outputs a control signal to the control inputs of the multiplexer to automatically select successive ones of the at least two analog input channels for conveying to the analog to digital conversion circuit.