Abstract: A micro controller unit including an error indicator hardware module, the error indicator module being arranged to respond to event signals representative of internal and external fault and error events perturbing the micro controller unit function by registering in non-volatile memory a record of the nature of each of the events, wherein the record of the events is inaccessible to alteration.

Abstract: An electronic device, typically a microcontroller, which is divided into a multiplicity of power domains comprising one or more intelligent peripherals, is provided with an on-board power management module for switching power to one or more domains for pre-determined time periods and in a predetermined sequence. The values of the predetermined time periods and sequence may be pre-programmed by the design engineer or user of the device. In one example, power is switched to domains in a round robin fashion. An optional interrupt capability permits selective application of power to a dormant intelligent peripheral requesting it at the expense of others and based on a priority scheme. Consumption of current supplied to power domains may be monitored by a power watchdog or alternatively via a dedicated power monitor associated with each intelligent peripheral. The invention helps to reduce device power consumption without any associated reduction in processing performance.

Abstract: A microcontroller operable in a high power mode and a low power unit (LPU) run mode includes primary and LPU domains, primary and LPU mode controllers, and primary and LPU clock generator modules. The primary domain includes a first set of circuits and a first set of cores. The LPU domain includes second and third sets of circuits, a second set of cores, and a switching module. In the high power mode, the switching module connects the first and second sets of cores to at least one of the first, second and third sets of circuits, while in the LPU run mode, the switching module isolates the LPU domain from the primary domain and activates a small microcontroller system (SMS) that includes the LPU domain, the LPU mode controller and the LPU clock generator module. The SMS has further low power modes within the LPU run mode.

Abstract: A micro controller unit including an error indicator hardware module, the error indicator module being arranged to respond to event signals representative of internal and external fault and error events perturbing the micro controller unit function by registering in non-volatile memory a record of the nature of each of the events, wherein the record of the events is inaccessible to alteration.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring general purpose input output, GPIO, signals at GPIO pins of a GPIO port of a system on chip, SoC. The apparatus comprises a first checksum generation unit adapted to generate a first checksum on the basis of GPIO bits stored in GPIO registers of the SoC, being connected via corresponding input output, IO, pad circuits to provide analog GPIO signals at the GPIO pins. A second checksum generation unit is adapted to generate a second checksum on the basis of the analog GPIO signals at the GPIO pins representing the GPIO bits. Checker logic is adapted to compare the first checksum generated by the first checksum generation unit with a second checksum generated by the second checksum generation unit.

Abstract: A reset state control circuit adapted to reset independent device domains of an electronic device, said reset state control circuit comprising a capturing unit adapted to capture reset events; and a reset shaping logic adapted to change dynamically a reset control flow to reset device domains of said electronic device depending on a sequence of the reset events captured by said capturing unit.

Abstract: A method of controlling direct memory access of a peripheral memory of a peripheral by a master is described. The method includes checking whether there is a pending request from the peripheral for a direct memory access service, establishing whether an access condition is satisfied in dependence on at least whether there is a pending request, and, if the access condition is satisfied, granting access to the master. Also, an associated device and an associated computer program product are described.

Abstract: The present application relates to a mode-controlled voltage excursion detector apparatus for monitoring a supply voltage of a power supply applied to a load and a method of operating thereof. A voltage monitor is configured to detect an excursion event if the supply voltage exceeds or falls below at least one defined threshold, to generate an excursion event signal upon detection of the excursion event and to provide the generated excursion event signal to the excursion event output for being outputted via an excursion event output. A sensitivity control module is configured to receive a signal indicative of potential voltage excursions. A sensitivity control module is further operatively coupled to the sensitivity control input and configured to disable the outputting of an excursion event signal generated during a defined period of time in response to the reception of the signal, which triggers the disabling of the outputting.

Abstract: A microcontroller operable in a high power mode and a low power unit (LPU) run mode includes primary and LPU domains, primary and LPU mode controllers, and primary and LPU clock generator modules. The primary domain includes a first set of circuits and a first set of cores. The LPU domain includes second and third sets of circuits, a second set of cores, and a switching module. In the high power mode, the switching module connects the first and second sets of cores to at least one of the first, second and third sets of circuits, while in the LPU run mode, the switching module isolates the LPU domain from the primary domain and activates a small microcontroller system (SMS) that includes the LPU domain, the LPU mode controller and the LPU clock generator module. The SMS has further low power modes within the LPU run mode.

Abstract: A method of controlling access by a master to a peripheral includes receiving one or more interrupt priority levels from one or more interrupt controllers associated with the peripheral, comparing the one or more interrupt priority level with respective one or more pre-established interrupt access levels to obtain an interrupt level comparison result, establishing whether an access condition is satisfied in dependence on at least the interrupt level comparison result, and if the access condition is satisfied, granting access. If the access condition is not satisfied, access is denied. Further, a circuitry is described including one or more masters, one or more peripherals, and an access control circuitry including one or more interrupt controllers associated with the one or more peripherals. The access control circuitry is arranged to perform a method of controlling access by a master of the one or more masters to a peripheral of the one or more peripherals.

Abstract: An I/O cell comprising a first set of driver stages comprising, each driver stage of the first set comprising a high side switch controllable to couple an I/O node of the I/O cell to a first high voltage supply node and a low side switch controllable to couple the I/O node of the I/O cell to a first low voltage supply node. The I/O cell further comprising a second set of driver stages, each driver stage of the second set comprising a high side switch controllable to couple the I/O node of the I/O cell to a second high voltage supply node and a low side switch controllable to couple the I/O node of the I/O cell to a second low voltage supply node. The switches of the first set of driver stages are controllable independently of the switches of the second set of driver stages.

Abstract: A power management system permits a small microcontroller subsystem or low power domain to continuously operate while a main subsystem domain is cycling from power on to off. The power management system supports asynchronous domains with common shared peripherals. The asynchronous domains operate as a single entity while in a full power mode with the peripheral and system resources being shared. The system can be used in automotive systems where most of the system is power-gated leaving just a power regulator controller, some counters and an input/output segment alive for wakeup purposes.

Abstract: A system performance control component, and method therefor, for configuring at least one system performance parameter within a signal processing system. The system performance control component is arranged to receive an indication of an address of a memory access performed by at least one signal processing component, compare the received indication of an address of a memory access to at least one address value, and configure at least one system performance parameter based at least partly on the comparison of the received indication of an address of a memory access to at least one address value.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring general purpose input output, GPIO, signals at GPIO pins of a GPIO port of a system on chip, SoC. The apparatus comprises a first checksum generation unit adapted to generate a first checksum on the basis of GPIO bits stored in GPIO registers of the SoC, being connected via corresponding input output, IO, pad circuits to provide analog GPIO signals at the GPIO pins. A second checksum generation unit is adapted to generate a second checksum on the basis of the analog GPIO signals at the GPIO pins representing the GPIO bits. Checker logic is adapted to compare the first checksum generated by the first checksum generation unit with a second checksum generated by the second checksum generation unit.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device comprising at least one analog to digital converter. The at least one ADC comprises at least one input operably coupled to at least one external contact of the integrated circuit device. The integrated circuit device further comprises detection circuitry comprising at least one detection module. The at least one detection module being arranged to receive at a first input thereof an indication of a voltage level at the at least one input of the at least one ADC, compare the received indication to a threshold value, and if the received indication exceeds the threshold value, output an indication that an excessive voltage state at the at least one input of the at least one ADC has been detected.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing cold-crank events. In an embodiment, a method may include detecting a cold-crank event and setting a switching circuit to a non-conductive state, where the switching circuit is configured to couple a first regulator to a memory circuit such that setting the switching circuit to the non-conductive state de-couples the memory circuit from the first regulator. The method may also include setting the switching circuit to a conductive state in current limitation mode during a recovery period following the cold-crank event to re-couple the memory circuit to the first regulator. In another embodiment, an electronic device include a switching circuit, a first regulator coupled to a first terminal of the switching circuit, a second regulator coupled to a second terminal of the switching circuit, a logic circuit coupled to the switching circuit, and a memory circuit coupled to the second terminal of the switching circuit.

Abstract: A built-in self test system comprises an integrated circuit device comprising a plurality of functional units coupled to built-in self test circuitry; a low power control unit operable to switch the integrated circuit device into a low power mode and to generate a BIST wake-up signal during or before entering the low power mode; and a built-in self test control unit coupled to the built-in self test circuitry and the low power control unit and arranged to initiate a built-in self test when receiving the BIST wake-up signal.

Abstract: A microprocessor comprises at least one reset management module. The at least one reset management module is arranged to detect a reset event, determine if at least one reset condition has been met upon detection of the reset event, and cause at least a part of the microprocessor to remain in a reset state upon determining that the at least one reset condition has been met.

Abstract: A microprocessor device comprises at least one reset management module. The at least one reset management module is arranged to detect a reset event comprising a first reset level, determine if at least one reset condition has been met upon detection of the reset event comprising the first reset level, and cause a reset of a second reset level upon determining that the at least one reset condition has been met.

Abstract: A clocking system, comprises a plurality of clocked data processing devices and a clock control circuit controlling a generation of a plurality of clock signals and an application of the clock signals to the plurality of data processing devices, allowing to clock at least one of the data processing devices while freezing all but the at least one of the data processing devices. A method for clocking a plurality of clocked data processing devices comprises controlling a generation of a plurality of clock signals and controlling an application of the clock signals to the plurality of data processing devices, allowing to clock at least one of the data processing devices while freezing all but the at least one of the data processing devices.