Abstract: Serial communication circuitry (10) having multiple queues (11-14) for use in a data processing system (95). Each queue (11-14) has multiple entries (52). Serial transfers from the multiple queues (11-14) are carried out under the control of global parameters (e.g. 205, 209), per-queue parameters (e.g. 211-212, 214-217), and per-entry parameters (e.g. 350-361). Each queue can be programmed to have a different set of per-queue parameters, and each entry within a queue can be programmed to have a different set of per-entry parameters. In addition, serial communication circuitry (10) can perform serial data transfers in response to the assertion of a trigger signal (30) from a source such as a timer (63) or a central processing unit (61). As a result, data transfers can be more precisely related to a particular timing signal or set of timing signals.

Abstract: A method for identifying a principal tooth in a series of teeth extending along at least a portion of a periphery of a rotatable object includes the steps of rotating the rotatable object, setting a counter to a predetermined value, measuring a first tooth in the series of teeth to obtain a first measurement, adding a qualifying value to the measurement to obtain a qualification measurement, measuring a second tooth in the series of teeth to obtain a second measurement, comparing the second measurement to the qualification measurement, and identifying the second tooth as the principal tooth when the second measurement exceeds the qualification measurement.

Abstract: Timebase channels in different I/O control modules (IOCMs 281-284 in FIG. 16) or on different integrated circuits (300-302 in FIG. 17 ) may provide synchronized, coherent timebase values to different blocks of work and other channels (e.g. 86 in FIG. 2) that are coupled to different timer buses (e.g. 71 in FIG. 2). In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 1-19, two or more timebase channels, e.g. master timebase channel (285) and slave timebase channel (288), can be synchronized and kept in synchronization using just two signals, namely a clock signal (328) and a synchronization signal (329). The master timebase channel (285) generates or receives a master dock signal (328) which is coupled to one or more slave timebase channels (288) to ensure that the master and slave timebase channels (285, 288) increment or decrement at the same time and rate.

Abstract: A filtering device for filtering noise from an electronic signal having a plurality of defined periods includes an input terminal for receiving the electronic signal, a period divider for dividing each of the definable periods into an equal number of subdivisions, a filter creating a latching signal for a predetermined portion of the number of subdivisions, and a latch for receiving the latching signal from the filter and for maintaining the electronic signal in steady state for a predetermined portion of the number of subdivisions.

Abstract: A camshaft revolution sensing assembly for identifying a revolution of a camshaft, having a plurality of teeth, of an internal combustion engine of an automotive vehicle includes a camshaft sensor for sensing revolutions of a camshaft by sensing each of the teeth as they rotate therepast and producing a camshaft sensor output, a subtracting device operatively connected to the camshaft sensor, the subtracting device subtracting each time the camshaft sensor senses one of the teeth rotating therepast, and a signal generator operatively connected to the subtracting device wherein the signal generator generates a signal indicating the subtracting device has subtracted to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method and system for generating an ignition coil output signal to control charging and discharging of a plurality of ignition coils in an internal combustion engine. A plurality of holding registers asynchronously receive a plurality of ignition coil data from a processor. The plurality of holding registers are memory-mapped and store the plurality of ignition coil data until subsequent ignition coil data is received from the processor. A sensor is provided for determining a position of the engine and generating a corresponding engine signal. A plurality of match registers are coupled to the plurality of holding registers for comparing the ignition coil data with a reference signal and generating an ignition coil output signal for receipt by one of the plurality of ignition coils based on the engine signal and the comparison between the ignition coil data and the reference signal.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a position dependent output control signal. The position of a rotating machine, such as an internal combustion engine, is sensed and a corresponding position signal is generated. The position signal is processed to obtain the position dependent output control signal including a first control signal and a second control signal. The first control signal represents a sector of the rotating machine, and the second control signal represents the absolute position within the sector.

Abstract: A digital timer apparatus incorporates a free running counter, an interval timer, a capture register, a pulse accumulator and holding logic. A rising or falling edge of an external signal causes the current contents of the free running counter to be loaded into the capture register and causes the pulse accumulator to be incremented. The output of the interval timer can cause the contents of the pulse accumulator and capture register to be stored into the holding logic. The timer apparatus is particularly well suited to performing tasks related to the determination of the speed of rotation of a rotating member and may be used, for instance, in detecting wheel rotational speeds in an anti-lock brake system or detecting shaft rotation speeds in an automatic transmission.