Integrated circuit and operating method therefor

Abstract

An integrated circuit is provided that includes at least one first circuit component and at least one second circuit component, the first circuit component being connected via a level converter to the second circuit component. The level converter can be optionally activated or deactivated by the first circuit component in order to enable or prevent a data exchange between the first circuit component and the second circuit component.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitive of the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 a shows a schematic block diagram of an integrated circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1 b illustrates another embodiment of the integrated circuit;

FIG. 2 illustrates a sensor network realized with the use of the integrated circuit of the invention;

FIG. 3 a is a flowchart of a first embodiment of the method of the invention; and

FIG. 3 b is a flowchart of another embodiment of the method of the invention.

Claims

1. An integrated circuit comprising: at least one first circuit component;a level converter; andat. least one second circuit component, the first circuit component being connectable via the level converter to the second circuit component,wherein the level converter is selectively activated or deactivated by the first circuit component in order to enable or prevent a data exchange between the first circuit component and the second circuit component.

2. The integrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein the level converter is configured so that in its deactivated state, the level converter emits a predefined signal to the first circuit component and/or to the second circuit component.

3. The integrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein the first circuit component has a first operating voltage range, and wherein the second circuit component has a second operating voltage range, which is different from the first operating voltage range.

4. The integrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein the first circuit component has a greater operating voltage range than the second circuit component.

5. The integrated circuit according to claim 1, further comprising a terminal for connecting the integrated circuit to an external voltage source, the terminal being connected directly to the first circuit component.

6. The integrated circuit according to claim 1, further comprising at least one voltage regulator, which is activated or deactivated by the first circuit component, for supplying power to the second circuit component and/or additional circuit components.

7. The integrated circuit according to claim 1, further comprising at least one memory element or a flip-flop that is provided in the first circuit component and/or further comprising a state machine that is provided in the first circuit component.

8. The integrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein the first circuit component has a communication interface that is connected via a terminal to an external component.

9. The integrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein the integrated circuit further comprises at least one additional circuit component for realizing a radio transceiver.

10. A method for operating an integrated circuit having at least one first circuit component and at least one second circuit component, the method comprising: providing a level converter for connecting the first circuit component to the second circuit component; andselectively activating or deactivating the level converter by the first circuit component in order to enable or prevent a data exchange between the first circuit component and the second circuit component.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein a voltage regulator for supplying the second circuit component and/or additional circuit components is deactivated by the first circuit component in order to reduce the power consumption of the integrated circuit.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the voltage regulator is activated by the first circuit component.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the level converter is activated after the voltage regulator or after an elapse of a predefined waiting time since the activation of the voltage regulator.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the level converter is activated only when the voltage regulator has signaled the achieving of its normal operation, in which the voltage regulator delivers its nominal output voltage.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the level converter is deactivated before the voltage regulator.