Inventors:
Kent Hewitt - Mesa AZ
Willem Smit - Phoenix AZ
Emile van Rooyen - Phoenix AZ
Frederick Bruwer - Phoenix AZ
Assignee:
Microchip Technology Incorporated - Chandler AZ
International Classification:
H03K 2100
Abstract:
According to the present invention there is provided an encoder, which in one embodiment, includes a processing circuit which generates an output code according to an encoding algorithm, a counter circuit for incrementing a counter value such that only one bit of the counter value changes each time the counter value is incremented, a non-volatile memory for storing the counter value, and a transmitter which transmits the output code and the counter value. In another embodiment of the invention there is provided a method for use with an encoder having a processing circuit which generates an output code according to an encoding algorithm, a counter circuit for incrementing a counter value, a non-volatile memory for storing the counter value, and a transmitter which transmits the output code and the counter value. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of incrementing the counter value such that only one bit is changed each time the counter is incremented. In still a further embodiment the method includes the steps of using a semaphore register and determining whether the semaphore register is set to 0.