Quicklogic Corporation

Brian D Small

Andrew K Chan

Drazen Borkovic

Kevin K Yee

Mukesh T Lulla

Charles C Tralka

Roger Ang

Atul Ahuja

A RAM device, such as the type embedded in a programmable logic device, is configurable to alter the depth of the addressable elements and the width of the number of data bits received or produced by the RAM device. The RAM device includes a number of address ports for receiving the read and/or write address signals, but the RAM device may be configured such that the depth requires fewer address signals then there are address ports. Likewise, the RAM device includes a number of input and output data ports for receiving and producing the data bits, but the width of the RAM device may be configured such that the number of data bits actually received or produced are less than the number of data ports. The depth and the width of the RAM device are configured together so that the depth is increased when the width is decreased and vice versa. This permits a number of appropriately configured RAM devices to be combined to produce a deep and wide RAM circuit without requiring the use of additional logic blocks, such as buffers, inverters, and multiplexors that reduce the speed of the circuit.

RAM with configurable depth and width

A programmable device, such as a field programmable gate array, includes a main field that is programmable by the user and at least one embedded portion that is reserved to be programmed with a standard circuit design that is configured, for example, by the manufacturer. The embedded portion is similar to the main field, i.e., it has the same programmable structure, however, the embedded portion is not accessible to the user. In some embodiments, the embedded portion may be pre-programmed with the standard circuit design and in other embodiments the embedded portion is programmed while the user programs the main field. The programmable device may also include signature bits that are used by the programming unit to identify the programmable device as having the embedded portion and which standard circuit design to program into the embedded portion. The signature bit may be programmed after the manufacture of the programmable device or may be hard wired during the manufacture of the device. The programming unit recognizes the configuration of the signature bits and restricts access to embedded portion based on the configuration.

Programmable device with an embedded portion for receiving a standard circuit design

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Portland, OR, United States of America

Brian D Small