Abstract: A power-on reset circuit. The power-on reset circuit includes a switch, a current source coupled between a first potential and a switch first contact; a resistive device having a resistive-device first contact coupled to the first potential; a first module coupled between a second potential and a switch second contact; a second module coupled between the second potential and resistive-device second contact; and an inverter having an inverter input coupled to the resistive-device second contact. Current through the second module mirrors current through the first module. If a first mirrored potential of the second potential present on a switch control contact is greater than a preselected value, the switch first contact is coupled to the switch second contact. Otherwise, the switch first contact is decoupled from the switch second contact.

Abstract: An integrated circuit temperature sensor includes a sensing circuit operable to determine whether the integrated circuit is currently exposed to one of a relatively low temperature or a relatively high temperature. A selection circuit operates to select a measured voltage across the base-emitter of a bipolar transistor of the integrated circuit if the sensing circuit indicates that the integrated circuit is currently exposed to the relatively low temperature or, alternatively, select a measured delta voltage across the base-emitter of the bipolar transistor of the integrated circuit if the sensing circuit indicates that the integrated circuit is currently exposed to the relatively high temperature.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes an output pad, an alarm output pad, and a test mode output pad. A first multi-bit register is programmable to store programmable data such as data that identifies a customer for whom the integrated circuit has been manufactured. A second multi-bit register is programmable to store customer specified threshold data. A first circuit selectively couples the first and second multi-bit registers to the output pad. The first circuit is operable responsive to the integrated circuit being placed into a test mode to perform parallel-to-serial conversion of either the customer identification data stored in the first multi-bit register or the customer specified threshold data stored in the second multi-bit register and drive the converted data for output through the output pad. The integrated circuit further includes a tamper detection circuit operable responsive to the customer specified threshold data to generate a tamper alarm signal.

Abstract: An integrated circuit temperature sensor includes a sensing circuit operable to determine whether the integrated circuit is currently exposed to one of a relatively low temperature or a relatively high temperature. A selection circuit operates to select a measured voltage across the base-emitter of a bipolar transistor of the integrated circuit if the sensing circuit indicates that the integrated circuit is currently exposed to the relatively low temperature or, alternatively, select a measured delta voltage across the base-emitter of the bipolar transistor of the integrated circuit if the sensing circuit indicates that the integrated circuit is currently exposed to the relatively high temperature.

Abstract: The invention provides a clock delay arrangement accounting for the worst-case delay situation of data signals, which is independent of the layout and technology. It comprises a main clock line; two dummy clock lines, each arranged parallel to the main clock line, and the main clock line disposed between the two dummy clock lines; and a clock source coupled to the main clock line and the two dummy clock lines, adapted to drive said dummy clock lines in phase opposition with respect to the main clock line.

Abstract: The invention provides a clock delay arrangement accounting for the worst-case delay situation of data signals, which is independent of the layout and technology. It comprises a main clock line; two dummy clock lines, each arranged parallel to the main clock line, and the main clock line disposed between the two dummy clock lines; and a clock source coupled to the main clock line and the two dummy clock lines, adapted to drive said dummy clock lines in phase opposition with respect to the main clock line.

Abstract: A number of implementations are presented for destroying the data stored in a volatile memory cell.

Abstract: A voltage translating control structure for switching logic is described. A battery drain problem is corrected by this structure. The voltage translating feature allows reliable switching between power supply and battery even if the power supply voltage has significantly decreased. Operation is adaptable to include all DC power systems. Logic circuitry that also allows voltage translation is presented.

Abstract: A reset ramp control structure and method is described. A fast ramp down condition of a monitored voltage is detected and used to force the state of system reset. Delay between fast ramp detection and the forcing of system reset is adjustable. Operation is adaptable to include all DC power systems. The reset ramp control structure provides operational protection during fast ramp down conditions when standard reset circuitry may not be operational.

Abstract: A bonding pad arrangement for an integrated circuit includes a bonding pad fabricated on a bonding area to enable bonding. A first ESD resistor is fabricated adjacent the bonding area, and at least a second ESD resistor is fabricated adjacent the first ESD resistor and the bonding area. The bonding pad extends beyond the bonding area to connect to the first ESD resistor and to the at least second ESD resistor, thereby providing at least two input ESD circuits for at least one current consuming electronic circuit from the single bonding pad.

Abstract: A battery protection structure is described. The structure provides battery overcharging protection while allowing for minimal battery voltage drop during normal battery operation. One resistance element sets voltage drop during normal operation, and the sum of two resistance elements sets the maximum battery charging current which will be allowed. The structure provides protection against single component failures.

Abstract: A reset initialization structure and method is described. A power on reset pulse is utilized to force the state of system reset during intervals of Vcc which otherwise would result in indeterminate reset states. Operation is adaptable to include all DC power systems. The reset initialization structure provides operational protection during power up and power down conditions.

Abstract: A circuit and method are disclosed for detecting activation of a switch, such as a mechanical switch. The circuit may include a first circuit for temporarily driving the second terminal of the switch to a second logic level. A second circuit, coupled to the switch, senses a voltage level of the second terminal of the switch and generates an output signal representative of the voltage sensed. A sequential logic circuit is responsive to the output signal of the second circuit so as to maintain a logic value representative of the switch having been closed.

Abstract: A voltage regulator having a plurality of current sources and adapted to make available current to a circuit, such as a memory device. One or more of the plurality of current sources is selectively enabled/disabled to provide either of two non-zero, distinct current levels to the circuit depending on a logic value of the chip enable signal. The chip enable signal is input to the circuit to enable/disable the circuit to perform various operations.

Abstract: A regulator circuit and method are disclosed for a system. The regulator circuit may include a compare circuit for comparing a first supply voltage to a predetermined voltage level and generating an enable signal based upon the comparison. A selectively enabled voltage regulator is adapted to make available a predetermined current level at a regulated voltage when enabled by the compare circuit. When disabled, the voltage regulator circuit is prohibited from providing current. The voltage regulator may include an output transistor that is normally biased in a saturation mode of operation and is deactivated by the enable signal. By controlling the output transistor based upon the output of the compare circuit, the need for a relatively large transistor for connecting to the first supply voltage is eliminated.

Abstract: An electronic device incorporates a primary function circuit and a voltage regulator that provides a regulated voltage signal to the primary function circuit. The voltage regulator is responsive to a stress-enable signal indicative of whether or not an external voltage supplied to the voltage detector is within a predetermined range. The output voltage signal is controlled to be at a first voltage level when the external voltage is within the predetermined voltage range and at a second voltage level when the external voltage is outside of the predetermined range. The second voltage level may be an elevated voltage level to facilitate stress testing or burin-in of the electronic device.

Abstract: A circuit and method are disclosed for detecting activation of a switch, such as a mechanical switch. The circuit may include a first circuit for temporarily driving the second terminal of the switch to a second logic level. A second circuit, coupled to the switch, senses a voltage level of the second terminal of the switch and generates an output signal representative of the voltage sensed. A sequential logic circuit is responsive to the output signal of the second circuit so as to maintain a logic value representative of the switch having been closed.

Abstract: A tilling machine having independently driven wheels and a generally V-shaped plow. Tilling machine comprises digging chain that moves between a raised position and a lowered position, a housing carried by front wheels and rear casters, a motor that drives front wheels to propel housing, a guide wheel that aligns tilling machine with trench upon a second pass, and a generally V-shaped plow, wherein the plow may be positioned on the front or the rear to collect and deposit the dirt surrounding the trench into the trench. A method of gardening/landscaping wherein a trench is dug by a first pass, soil amendments are added to the trench, and then on the second pass, the excavated dirt is plowed back into the trench and mixed with the amendments. A method of gardening/landscaping wherein vegetation cover between trenched rows is maintained thus utilizing only the ground area that is needed for planting.

Abstract: A tilling machine having independently driven wheels and a generally V-shaped plow. Tilling machine comprises digging chain that moves between a raised position and a lowered position, a housing carried by front wheels and rear casters, a motor that drives front wheels to propel housing, a guide wheel that aligns tilling machine with trench upon a second pass, and a generally V-shaped plow, wherein the plow may be positioned on the front or the rear to collect and deposit the dirt surrounding the trench into the trench. A method of gardening/landscaping wherein a trench is dug by a first pass, soil amendments are added to the trench, and then on the second pass, the excavated dirt is plowed back into the trench and mixed with the amendments. A method of gardening/landscaping wherein vegetation cover between trenched rows is maintained thus utilizing only the ground area that is needed for planting.

Abstract: A trenching machine having independently driven wheels. Trenching machine comprises digging chain that moves between a raised position and a lowered position, a housing that is carried by a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear casters, a motor that independently drives front wheels to propel housing, and a guide wheel that aligns trenching machine with trench upon a second pass. Trenching machine also has a front plow and a rear plow that collect and deposit the dirt surrounding the trench into the trench. A method of gardening/landscaping wherein a trench is dug by a first pass, soil amendments are added to the trench, and then on the second pass, the excavated dirt is plowed back into the trench and then mixed with the amendments. A method of gardening/landscaping wherein vegetation cover between trenched rows is maintained thus utilizing only the ground area that is needed for planting.