AN 265: Using Altera MAX Series as Microcontroller I/O Expanders

ID 683386
Date 9/22/2014
Public

1.2.1. Pin Functions in the Microcontroller I/O Expander

Table 2.  Input and Output Pins in Microcontroller I/O Expander Design Example
I/O Name Type Description Active
CLK Input

Input clock signal to trigger the input data registers, output data registers, and I/O setting data registers.

Positive Edge
MCU port Bidirectional

8 bit bidirectional data lines that interface with the MCU data bus and transmit configuration data.

  • To write or read the 8-bit data to or from the I/O expander, use WR or RD signals with positive edge trigger.
  • To set the MCU port as data or address bus, use the MODE signal.
CS Input

Input signal to select the device.

Low
RST Input

Input signal to reset the device and all internal registers asynchronously.

Low
CONF Input
  • Stores the address[5..0] from the MCU port on the rising edge of CLK into the configuration registers.
  • Enables the clock signal to the configuration registers.
  • Ignores data on address[7..6].
Low
LOAD Input
  • Stores the address[1..0] from the MCU port on the rising edge of CLK into the configuration registers.
  • Enables the clock signal to the configuration registers.
  • Ignores data on address[7..2].
Low
WR Input
  • Causes the data on the MCU port to be written to the enabled port (A, B, C, or D) on the rising edge of CLK.
  • Enables the clock signal to the output data registers
Low
RD Input
  • Enables the data bus transfer to the MCU port from the enabled port (A, B, C, or D) on the rising edge of CLK.
  • Enables the clock signal to the input data registers.
Low
MODE Input
  • When high, tri-states the MCU port.
  • When low, sets the MCU port as input or output based on the configuration registers.
Port A Bidirectional

8-bit, general-purpose I/O port that can be programmed to either output or input mode.

Port B Bidirectional

8-bit, general-purpose I/O port that can be programmed to either output or input mode.

Port C Bidirectional

8-bit, general-purpose I/O port that can be programmed to either output or input mode.

Port D Bidirectional

8-bit, general-purpose I/O port that can be programmed to either output or input mode.