Abstract: Provided herein are various systems, methods and architectures for enabling a microcontroller manufacturer to provide certain modification and configuration functionality to product vendors, while still maintaining the level of control needed to ensure that a product vendor does not inadvertently (or otherwise) create code that causes the microcontroller to not work properly. In one embodiment, this functionality can be performed through the steps of displaying a set of microcontroller properties that are available for configuration, receiving user information regarding a first value corresponding to a first microcontroller property, determining whether the user information results in a valid microcontroller configuration, and in response to determining that the user information results in a valid microcontroller configuration, generating compiled code for the microcontroller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for microcontroller (MCU) memory relocation. The MCU includes a central processing unit (CPU) and memory, but lacks a memory management unit (MMU). In one embodiment of the method, a first program is selected for execution by the CPU. The first program is one of a plurality of programs stored in the memory of the MCU. Each of the programs includes position dependent instructions. The programs are compiled from source code written in position dependent code.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mapping timer channels to protection groups. One embodiment of the method can be implemented in a microcontroller unit (MCU) that comprises a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to a plurality of timer channels and a plurality of programmable group output disable (PTGOD) circuits. The CPU can select a first group of the timer channels to respond to an assertion of a first output disable signal from a first of the PTGOD circuits. Each timer channel of the first group can disable an output signal in response to receiving the assertion of the first output disable signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mapping timer channels to protection groups. One embodiment of the method can be implemented in a microcontroller unit (MCU) that comprises a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to a plurality of timer channels and a plurality of programmable group output disable (PTGOD) circuits. The CPU can select a first group of the timer channels to respond to an assertion of a first output disable signal from a first of the PTGOD circuits. Each timer channel of the first group can disable an output signal in response to receiving the assertion of the first output disable signal.

Abstract: Common microcontroller unit (MCU) self-identification information is disclosed. In one embodiment, an MCU is contained in a package. The MCU includes a central processing unit (CPU) and a non-volatile memory. This non-volatile memory stores information specific to the MCU and/or the package. The non-volatile memory also stores a common main program that, when executed by the CPU, accesses the information. The information enables the common main program to adapt itself to resources of the MCU and/or package that are identified in the information.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mapping timer channels to protection groups. One embodiment of the method can be implemented in a microcontroller unit (MCU) that comprises a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to a plurality of timer channels and a plurality of programmable group output disable (PTGOD) circuits. The CPU can select a first group of the timer channels to respond to an assertion of a first output disable signal from a first of the PTGOD circuits. Each timer channel of the first group can disable an output signal in response to receiving the assertion of the first output disable signal.

Abstract: Provided herein are various systems, methods and architectures for enabling a microcontroller manufacturer to provide certain modification and configuration functionality to product vendors, while still maintaining the level of control needed to ensure that a product vendor does not inadvertently (or otherwise) create code that causes the microcontroller to not work properly. In one embodiment, this functionality can be performed through the steps of displaying a set of microcontroller properties that are available for configuration, receiving user information regarding a first value corresponding to a first microcontroller property, determining whether the user information results in a valid microcontroller configuration, and in response to determining that the user information results in a valid microcontroller configuration, generating compiled code for the microcontroller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for microcontroller (MCU) memory relocation. The MCU includes a central processing unit (CPU) and memory, but lacks a memory management unit (MMU). In one embodiment of the method, a first program is selected for execution by the CPU. The first program is one of a plurality of programs stored in the memory of the MCU. Each of the programs includes position dependent instructions. The programs are compiled from source code written in position dependent code.

Abstract: Provided herein are various systems, methods and architectures for enabling a microcontroller manufacturer to provide certain modification and configuration functionality to product vendors, while still maintaining the level of control needed to ensure that a product vendor does not inadvertently (or otherwise) create code that causes the microcontroller to not work properly. In one embodiment, this functionality can be performed through the steps of displaying a set of microcontroller properties that are available for configuration, receiving user information regarding a first value corresponding to a first microcontroller property, determining whether the user information results in a valid microcontroller configuration, and in response to determining that the user information results in a valid microcontroller configuration, generating compiled code for the microcontroller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for microcontroller (MCU) memory relocation. The MCU includes a central processing unit (CPU) and memory, but lacks a memory management unit (MMU). In one embodiment of the method, a first program is selected for execution by the CPU. The first program is one of a plurality of programs stored in the memory of the MCU. Each of the programs includes position dependent instructions. The programs are compiled from source code written in position dependent code.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dynamically controlling functional aspects of an MCU. In one embodiment an MCU includes a central processing unit (CPU), a memory for storing instructions executable by the CPU, and a T/C channel coupled to receive control values generated by CPU and M event signals, wherein M is an integer greater than 1. The T/C channel is configured to select one or more of the M event signals based on the one or more of the control values. The T/C channel is configured to generate a control signal as a function of the selected one or more of the M event signals. A function of the T/C channel can be controlled by the control signal.

Abstract: Common microcontroller unit (MCU) self-identification information is disclosed. In one embodiment, an MCU is contained in a package. The MCU includes a central processing unit (CPU) and a non-volatile memory. This non-volatile memory stores information specific to the MCU and/or the package. The non-volatile memory also stores a common main program that, when executed by the CPU, accesses the information. The information enables the common main program to adapt itself to resources of the MCU and/or package that are identified in the information.

Abstract: Common microcontroller unit (MCU) self-identification information is disclosed. In one embodiment, an MCU is contained in a package. The MCU includes a central processing unit (CPU) and a non-volatile memory. This non-volatile memory stores information specific to the MCU and/or the package. The non-volatile memory also stores a common main program that, when executed by the CPU, accesses the information. The information enables the common main program to adapt itself to resources of the MCU and/or package that are identified in the information.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dynamically controlling functional aspects of an MCU. In one embodiment an MCU includes a central processing unit (CPU), a memory for storing instructions executable by the CPU, and a T/C channel coupled to receive control values generated by CPU and M event signals, wherein M is an integer greater than 1. The T/C channel is configured to select one or more of the M event signals based on the one or more of the control values. The T/C channel is configured to generate a control signal as a function of the selected one or more of the M event signals. A function of the T/C channel can be controlled by the control signal.

Abstract: Various systems and methods related to displaying images from compressed data. For example, one method involves expanding a first portion of compressed data. The expanded first portion is written to a first memory location in a first memory. In response to detecting that a first segment of the expanded first portion has been read, a second portion of the compressed data is expanded. The expanded second portion is written to the first memory location.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dynamically controlling functional aspects of an MCU. In one embodiment an MCU includes a central processing unit (CPU), a memory for storing instructions executable by the CPU, and a T/C channel coupled to receive control values generated by CPU and M event signals, wherein M is an integer greater than 1. The T/C channel is configured to select one or more of the M event signals based on the one or more of the control values. The T/C channel is configured to generate a control signal as a function of the selected one or more of the M event signals. A function of the T/C channel can be controlled by the control signal.

Abstract: Provided herein are various systems, methods and architectures for enabling a microcontroller manufacturer to provide certain modification and configuration functionality to product vendors, while still maintaining the level of control needed to ensure that a product vendor does not inadvertently (or otherwise) create code that causes the microcontroller to not work properly. In one embodiment, this functionality can be performed through the steps of displaying a set of microcontroller properties that are available for configuration, receiving user information regarding a first value corresponding to a first microcontroller property, determining whether the user information results in a valid microcontroller configuration, and in response to determining that the user information results in a valid microcontroller configuration, generating compiled code for the microcontroller.

Abstract: Various systems and methods related to displaying images from compressed data. For example, one method involves expanding a first portion of compressed data. The expanded first portion is written to a first memory location in a first memory. In response to detecting that a first segment of the expanded first portion has been read, a second portion of the compressed data is expanded. The expanded second portion is written to the first memory location.

Abstract: A software platform for embedded systems. In one embodiment, a package is received and stored in memory of a computer system. The package comprises a plurality of software components and a real time operating system (RTOS). The plurality of software components are configured to provide respective services to any one of a plurality of applications executing on a microcontroller. The RTOS is configured for direct exchange of information with each of the plurality of software components.

Abstract: Provided herein are various systems, methods and architectures for enabling a microcontroller manufacturer to provide certain modification functionality to product vendors, while still maintaining the level of control needed to ensure that a product vendor does not inadvertently (or otherwise) create code that causes the microcontroller to not work properly. In one embodiment, this functionality can be performed through the steps of displaying an initial stack of software modules to a user, receiving instructions to modify the initial stack of software modules to create a modified stack of software modules, compiling the modified stack of software modules to produce compiled computer instructions, and flashing the embedded memory of the microcontroller with the compiled computer instructions.