DUAL FEATURE INPUT/TIMING PIN

摘要

An apparatus for enabling an IC pin (102) to function in a dual mode, which apparatus includes a first switch (104) for coupling the IC pin to an input terminal when the IC pin operates in an input mode, and a charging circuit (108) for sourcing current to the IC pin during a charging cycle of a timer mode. The inventive apparatus further includes a discharging circuit for sinking current from the IC pin during a discharging cycle of the timer mode. In one embodiment, the inventive apparatus further includes a comparator for generating an activation signal, the activation signal being activated when a potential at the IC pin equals or exceeds a predefined voltage in the timer mode. In another embodiment, the comparator is disabled during the input mode.