WO1993015487A1

WO1993015487A1 - Process and device for setting parameters

Info

Publication number: WO1993015487A1
Application number: PCT/EP1993/000108
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rudolf Koblitz; Steffen Lehr
Original assignee: Deutsche Thomson-Brandt Gmbh
Priority date: 1992-01-28
Filing date: 1993-01-19
Publication date: 1993-08-05
Also published as: DE4202260A1

Abstract

For determining and setting parameters in a unit, on the one hand a plurality of parameters is to be permissible and on the other hand the number of connecting leads needed is to be reduced. According to the invention, the unit is to be operated optionally in a normal or an adjustment mode. In the normal mode internally generated and in the adjustment mode externally applied parameter signals are operative. The invention is preferably used in the optimisation of integrated circuits.

Description

- 1 -

^ § £ i§i_! I§D_ÜDd_yorri _ι £ htun3_zu £ _Pa £ aπ) ete £ -E nste ^ iung

The invention relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 1 and a device according to the preamble of the first subject claim.

It is known that. electrical or electronic assemblies generate output signals as a function of the parameters supplied to them. These are defined, for example, by the value, which can be determined from voltage and / or current amplitude, the signal shape, or the like, of a parameter signal which is applied to a suitable parameter input of the module.

It is conceivable, on the one hand, that the processing of an input signal is influenced by the parameter signal, such as, for example, in the case of an amplifier in which the gain factor, frequency response, etc. can be defined as parameters. On the other hand, stages of the assembly are also controlled which, by themselves, cause output signals, such as a timer.

In certain applications, the parameter signals are used to adapt modules of a single type to devices of different models. As an example, control circuits may be mentioned as an electrical assembly, which can be used in switching power supplies for various television sets.

Corresponding parameter signals are usually supplied to the parameter input via connection lines or connection pins provided for this purpose.

The generation of parameter signals outside the electrical assembly requires that additional stages with appropriate - 2 -

Corresponding connecting and connecting lines must be provided.

It is the object of the present invention to enable one or more parameters to be determined in an electrical assembly, with subsequent parameter setting being carried out with as little effort as possible on corresponding connecting lines.

This object is achieved by a method according to claim 1 and a device according to the first claim.

According to the invention, a set of one or more parameter signals is generated internally, i.e. generated within the electrical assembly and during normal operation (normal mode), this set is fed to one or more parameter inputs, whereby a normal parameter set is determined.

Via a connection intended for this purpose, the assembly is switched into a setting mode in which the normal parameter set is no longer effective, but one or more parameter inputs are connected to connections leading to the outside.

In a first embodiment, parameter signals are applied to the external parameter outputs, which are generated by external, i.e. means located outside the assembly are generated. The parameter signals can be varied and a suitable parameter set can be determined by comparing input and output signals.

After determining a desired parameter set, the electrical assembly can then be designed so that it takes over the determined parameter set as a standard parameter set.

This has the advantage in particular in the case of mass production that the external circuit and also the additional ones connecting lines leading to the outside for the parameter signals and control signals can be dispensed with.

?

If the electrical assembly is implemented as an integrated circuit iü, which is mounted in a corresponding housing, this means that under certain circumstances for mass production a smaller housing shape with fewer connections than for the

Test operation can be used, which can save considerable costs.

Said assembly can therefore be created for different types of devices, such as for example power supplies for television sets, and can be adapted by varying the parameters. This reduces the overall development effort.

In further embodiments, several sets of parameters are generated internally and led to the outside via corresponding lines in the setting mode.

In a first of the further embodiments, in addition to internal parameter inputs, a large number of lines are routed to the outside, a parameter signal being routed via each of these lines. External switching means can be used to supply one of the desired internally generated parameter signals to each parameter input.

Different parameter signal sets are thus available simultaneously or in succession and can be connected to the parameter inputs by simple switching means.

A possibly improved parameter set can thereby be determined on the basis of parameter signals already generated internally

^ be.

If the parameter set determined in this way corresponds to the moral parameter set, the external wiring can be omitted. Otherwise, for further operation, in particular a further - 4 -

Ren test operation, through easy to design connections, for example by means of wire bridges, the previously determined parameters remain effective. These connections make it possible to dispense with the use of external construction stages.

In the above-mentioned test operation for the assembly, for example, assembly and various function tests in a device to be created, such as a television set, testing under various temperature conditions or the like can be provided. Since these are also subject to test operation when the external construction stage is used, the effects cannot be ruled out and the test results obtained can be falsified. The fact that the module does not need to be set up externally to set a parameter set is therefore a significant advantage in test mode.

It is also possible that a switchover device is provided internally, which is controlled by the setting signals and connects predetermined parameter signals to the parameter input in the first mode.

This solution has the advantage that the connections for the parameter signals are omitted and thus the number of connections required for the parameter determination is small.

It is also possible to provide an internal memory, which can be designed as a Ha Ib conductor memory, such as ROM, RAM, EPROM, etc., or as a network of conductive elements, such as metal tracks, resistors, diodes, etc., and which controls the switching status of the device. This means that the normal parameter set is also supplied to the parameter input via this switch in normal mode.

Such a configuration allows the electrical assembly to be used in a variety of ways, in particular when the internal memory is also based on optical, electrical, magnetic see and / or can be influenced electromagnetic and thus simple external connections can be omitted even in test operation.

Depending on the design of the electrical assembly and its field of application, the parameter signals, the switchover signal and / or setting signals, which control a corresponding sequence when the parameter signals are not present at the same time, can be controlled via electrical, electromagnetic, optical signals ch lines or other means.

It should be noted that the value of a parameter is determined on the one hand by the value of the corresponding parameter signal, which can be defined on the basis of signal quantities, such as voltage, current amplitude, signal shape, phase position, frequency or the like but also, additionally or instead, can be predetermined by the choice of the parameter input.

Further features, advantages and details of the invention are explained in the following exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing. Show:

1 shows the block diagram of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention; 2 shows the flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention; 3-5 block circuit diagrams of exemplary embodiments of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention.

Before going into the description of the exemplary embodiments, it should be pointed out that the blocks shown individually in the figures serve only for a better understanding of the invention. Possibly individual ne or more of these blocks combined into units. These can be implemented using integrated or hybrid technology or as a program-controlled microcomputer, or as part of a program suitable for its control.

The elements contained in the individual stages can, however, also be carried out separately.

In the following, means and signal profiles with the same meanings in the figures are each provided with the same reference characters and, once they have been described, they will only be discussed in the further description to the extent necessary for understanding the present invention is.

FIG. 1 shows an electrical assembly 10, which can be implemented as an integrated circuit, hybrid circuit, SMD circuit or other self-contained circuit and has connecting lines 11 leading to the outside, hereinafter also referred to as connecting pins , one of which is marked in the upper and lower area of the electrical assembly 10.

The function of the assembly 10 is essentially carried out by the function group 12, which in this exemplary embodiment has three function inputs 13a, 13b, 13c and three function outputs 14a, 14b, 14c, each of which is connected to one of the connection pins 11. Furthermore, the function group 12 has several parameter inputs 15a, 15b, 15c, each of which is connected to an output of a mode switch 16.

The inputs of the mode switch 16 are connected to a parameter stage 18, which in this exemplary embodiment outputs a set of three normal parameters. - 7 -

The mode switch 16 and an external parameter switch 17 are controlled by an electronic control unit 20 by means of a control signal EM. The switch 17 is arranged between the parameter outputs of the control unit 20 and the parameter input 15.

Furthermore, the control device 20 is connected to the function inputs 13 and the function outputs 14.

Operating states and results of parameter determinations can be displayed on a display device 21. This can be implemented, for example, as a simple lamp, as an alphanumeric display or the like.

The function of the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1 is shown in the flow chart of FIG. 2.

After the method for determining parameters has been started in step 100, a signal EM is emitted by the electronic control device 20 to the control input of the switch 16 and that of the switch 17 in step 110, thereby switching from the normal mode to the first mode is switched (the corresponding position of the switches 16, 17 is shown in Fig. 1). This causes the parameter inputs 15 to be connected to one of the parameter outputs of the control unit 20. The electronic control unit 20 outputs input signals to the function inputs 13 in step 120 and then receives output signals via the function outputs 14. If the values of the output signals lie within predetermined limits, which are referred to here as the target value TARGET, this becomes determined in step 130 and the method is ended with step 140, the result display.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 130 that the output signal of the function group 12 is not within predefined limits, the value of at least one of those Control unit 20 emitted parameter signals changed, which is indicated here as P = P + 1.

The determination of target values or predetermined limits can be carried out, for example, on the one hand using an input device (not shown). An independent optimal parameter determination by the control device 20 is also conceivable.

The direct evaluation of the output signal by the electronic control unit 20 can only be seen as an example. If the electrical assembly is to interact with a further device, the output signal can be fed to this device and the control device 20 is supplied with operating variables detected by sensors (not shown). These are evaluated and then regulated by the selection of parameters.

FIGS. 3-5 show exemplary embodiments of a second embodiment, which essentially differs from the first exemplary embodiment in that the parameters signals used in the setting mode are also generated internally. For the sake of clarity, only one function input, one function output and one parameter input are shown in the further description. However, it goes without saying that, in the first embodiment, a plurality of inputs and outputs can be provided, the number of which can be different. Several sets of parameter signals can also be provided.

In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 3, the parameter stage 18 is designed as a chain of resistors which is connected between an operating voltage U + and ground and which has parameter taps 18a, 18d.

In normal mode, one of the parameter taps, in this example tap 18c, is connected to parameter input 15 via a first input of switch 16. A second input of the mode switch 16 leads via one of the connection pins 11 to the output of a parameter switch 17.

Each of the signal taps 18a,. -., 18d is connected to one of the switching inputs of a signal switch 19, each of which is assigned a switching contact. With the switch contacts of the switch 19 closed, each of the parameter signals of the taps 18 is connected via one of the connection pins 11 to an input of the parameter switch 17.

The control inputs of the mode switch 16 and the signal switch 19 are connected to one another and connected via one of the connection pins 11 to an electronic control unit 20 which switches 16, 19 together by - switching or emitting the signal EM switches on. The electronic control unit 20 is also connected to the control input of the parameter switch 17 and controls it by means of a parameter switch signal P ¹ . Furthermore, the electronic control unit 20 emits input signals for the function group 12 and is connected to its output via a connection pin 11, so that corresponding output signals can be evaluated.

Figure 4 shows a further embodiment. It is essential compared to the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 3 that ^• parameter switch 17 is implemented as part of the electrical assembly 10. On the one hand, this eliminates the signal switch 19 and the number of connecting pins 11 required thereby. The switching signal P 'is thus via one of the connecting pins 11 in the electrical assembly 10 and the switching input of the switch 17 fed.

The changeover switch 17 can be designed in such a way that it maintains its last switching state even if it does not receive any signal P ¹ from the control device 20 or is not connected to the latter. 5 shows the block diagram of a third exemplary embodiment. It is essential compared to the exemplary embodiments described so far that, even in normal mode, the desired parameter signal is fed to the parameter input 15 of the function group 12 via the parameter switch 17, which is realized here as part of the electrical assembly 10, and this is controlled by the signal of a memory 22.

When the setting mode is initiated, the mode switch 16 is actuated in such a way that it separates the control input of the switch 17 from the output of the memory 22 and instead the parameter switch signal P 'is fed to the control input of the switch 17.

The memory 22 can be designed, for example, as a semiconductor chip, such as ROM, RAM, EPROM, etc., or as a network of conductive elements, such as metal tracks, resistors and / or diodes.

The operation of the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 3 to 5 correspond to the flow diagram as shown in FIG. 2 if, instead of the parameter signal Is P, the parameter switch Ltsi gna l P ^{1 is} set.

A system is thus presented according to the invention in which a normal mode and a setting mode can be selected. In the setting mode, the externally applied signals EM, P or P ^{1 can} cause other parameters than in normal mode to take effect, and it can also be compared with the output signal of the function group 12 to the most suitable one Parameters or parameter set are closed.

A preferred application is that only for the test phase of a device whose function is influenced by the electrical assembly 10, this device has additional connection pins in order to determine optimal parameters. After the suitable parameters have been determined, a new version of the module 10 is created in such a way that these parameters are already effective as normal parameters at the parameter input 15 in the normal mode and the additional connection pins can be omitted.

For this purpose, metal tracks can be connected to one another in a suitable manner, for example in accordance with the exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 3 and 4. It is also possible to determine accessible new pads, which can be done with an implementation of the electrical assembly 10 as inte¬ grated Schaltuag for example, by correspondingly changed photo or ^'etching of metal traces, protective and / or insulating layers.

In an exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 5, data are to be stored in the memory 22 in such a way that the changeover switch 17 is actuated in accordance with the normal parameter.

The memory 22, which can be designed as a semiconductor memory or as a network of conductive elements, can be programmed either during the test phase via a suitable connection pin or by designing a new design for the module 10.

Claims

Elisenans oaks

1. A method for determining parameters in an electrical assembly, the functioning of which is influenced by the value of the parameters, characterized in that, during a normal mode, a set of one or more normal parameters which is fixed and stored within the electrical assembly is effective is that a setting mode is effected and that one or more parameters can be changed in the setting mode.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that during the setting mode, parameter signals of different values and one or more parameter inputs are guided to means leading to the outside and that the desired parameter is obtained by externally wiring the parameter input with the said parameter signals is determined.

3. The method of claim 1, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that an internal parameter input by switching with predetermined switching states parameter signals of predetermined values can be supplied and that corresponding parameters are thereby set during the setting mode.

4. The method of claim 3, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that the switching state is controlled in normal mode by data from an internal memory.

5. Device for determining parameters in an electrical assembly (10), the operation of which is influenced by the value of the parameters that one or a plurality of corresponding parameter inputs (15) are supplied, characterized in that, during a normal mode, a set of one or more normal parameters, which is fixed and stored within the electrical assembly (10), is effective, that control means (20) is pre-selected ¬ can be seen which supply the electrical assembly (10) with a switch Itsi gna l (EM), whereupon an adjustment mode is effected, and that the control means (20) during the first l imodus cause parameter signals of different values depending on the function output signals are fed to the parameter input (15).

Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that switching means (16, 19) are provided which are controlled by a U scha Itsi gna l ⁽ EM), internally generated parameter signals of various values during the setting mode and an internal parameter input (15 ) to external means (11) and that the desired parameter is determined by external wiring of the parameter input with the parameter signals.

Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that parameter signals of predetermined values are supplied to an internal parameter input (15) by switching with predetermined switching states and corresponding parameters are thereby set during the first mode, the switching state being set by the setting signals is determined.

Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the switching state is controlled in normal mode by data from an internal memory ⁽ 22 ⁾ .

9. Device according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the Umscha Itsi gna l, the parameter signals and / or the setting signals are guided via externally leading means, which are based on an electrical, magnetic and / or optical Procedures work.

10. Use of the method according to one of claims 1 to 4 or the device according to one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that after determining the desired parameters, further patterns of the electrical assembly with one or more altered normal parameters are manufactured without the for the changeover signals, parameter signals and / or the setting signals necessary external means.