The module communicates with the external world through one IO line for each channel. The SENT Input lines are the receive data input signals. They can overlay ADC inputs. If the optional SPC mode is used, they can be used on a port configured with an open drain transistor. In this way the optional SPC data can be transmitted and the line is used bi-directionally. For an external transceiver, the receive and transmit path can be routed to two different ports.

Figure 1. SENT block diagram

The

interface provides a serial communication link typically used to connect sensors or other peripheral devices.

Clock control, address decoding, and service request control are managed by the

module kernel.

The

IP-module performs communication according to the

. While staying compliant to this standard, it is able to cover as well the Short PWM Code (SPC) protocol extensions. This enhances the standardized

protocol defined by

. SPC enables the use of enhanced protocol functionality like “synchronous”, “range selection” and “ID selection” protocol mode.

Receive data on a

channel can be set up according to the underlying application. In particular the number of nibbles forming one value is configurable.

The message storage consists of two 32-bit registers for each channel, representing a flexible double buffer system.

In SPC mode, maintaining the sample and transmission schedule as well as providing message status information is supported.

The register set of the

module can be accessed directly by the CPU for configuration, GTM and eGTM for SPC pulse configuration (Trigger Input), data read out and status query.