COMMUNICATION CELL FOR AN INTEGRATED CIRCUIT OPERATING IN CONTACT AND CONTACTLESS MODE, ELECTRONIC CHIP COMPRISING THE COMMUNICATION CELL, ELECTRONIC SYSTEM INCLUDING THE CHIP, AND TEST APPARATUS

摘要

A communication cell for an integrated circuit includes a physical interface configured to supply an input signal (for example, a capacitive signal or an ohmic signal). A receiver circuit operates to receive the capacitive signal and generate a first intermediate signal. A buffer circuit operates to receive the ohmic signal and generate a second intermediate signal. An output stage including a selector device (for example, a multiplexer) configured to receive the first and second intermediate signals and selectively pass only one of those signals to the integrated circuit based on operating condition. The input signal may further be an inductive signal, with the output stage further functioning to selectively pass that signal based on operating condition.

主权项

1. A communication cell, comprising:
a physical interface coupled to a first input terminal of the communication cell and configured to supply to the first input terminal an input signal, wherein, in a first operating condition, said input signal is a first operating signal supplied by a capacitive-signal source and, in a second operating condition, said input signal is a second operating signal supplied by an ohmic-signal source; and a first receiver circuit including a buffer configured to form an interface for reception of said second operating signal and generation of a second intermediate signal correlated to said second operating signal, a second receiver circuit including a transimpedance-amplifier circuit operatively coupled to said capacitive-signal source and configured to receive and amplify said first operating signal to generate a first intermediate signal; and an output stage configured to be coupled to said integrated circuit and including a selector device configured to receive the first intermediate signal and the second intermediate signal and to make available to said integrated circuit only the first intermediate signal in the first operating condition and only the second intermediate signal in the second operating condition.