| 摘要 |
A pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator is provided with a microcontroller having a general purpose microprocessor for performing high-level device functions and a sequencer for performing routine pacing functions. The general purpose microprocessor is programmed using an instruction set capable of general programming applications. The sequencer is programmed using a very simple instruction set having instructions selected only for performing routine pacing functions. The sequencer may be, for example, a programmable state machine. By providing a programmable sequencer for controlling routine pacing operations, the microprocessor is thereby free to devote its resources to performing high-level functions. Hence, the microprocessor may be operated at a lower clock frequency than would otherwise be needed if the microprocessor were also required to perform routine pacing functions and power savings are thereby achieved. By controlling all routine pacing operations using the programmable sequencer, the routine operations are thereby more expediently and reliably performed. Also, because software for the sequencer is developed using only the simple instruction set associated therewith, pacing software is quickly and reliably developed. Additional benefits are gained by isolating the pacing software from the high-level functional software to permit, for example, the microprocessor software to be replaced without affecting the sequencer software, and vice versa. Also, a method is described for generating an integrated circuit having a configuration optimized based upon predetermined software requirements. The method may be used to design the sequencer.
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