Actel Corporation, Inc.

Other

Chung Sun

Eddy C Huang

Stephen K Chan

An apparatus for generating a function activation signal to activate a function in an integrated circuit device comprises a power-on circuit receiving a power input and initializing and generating a test activation signal, a test circuit receiving the test activation signal and generating a test result signal, and a threshold decision circuit receiving the test result signal and generating the function activation signal. The test circuit models a function of the integrated circuit device and generates the test result signal when the power input has reached a sufficient voltage to perform the function of the integrated circuit device. The threshold decision circuit generates the function activation signal if the test result signal indicates the power input has reached a sufficient voltage to perform the function of the integrated circuit device.

Apparatus and method for initializing an integrated circuit device and activating a function of the device once an input power supply has reached a threshold voltage

A field-programmable gate array (FPGA) having an array of RAM memory cells comprising at least one row of RAM memory cells, each RAM cell of the at least one row of RAM memory cells coupled to a row driver line; a row decoder coupled to a first end of the row driver line of each at least one row of RAM memory cells. A monitoring memory cell is coupled to a row driver line. Each monitoring memory cell is also coupled to a memory writing line. An FPGA also has RAM memory cells that act as the programming mechanism. The FPGA further has erase circuitry for clearing the RAM memory cells for reprogramming of the FPGA. The FPGA is erased by providing at least one monitoring memory cell coupled to the erase circuitry. A memory clear phase is initiated on at least one monitoring memory cell. The monitoring memory cell then indicts the cell has been cleared.

Method and apparatus of memory clearing with monitoring RAM memory cells in a field programmable gated array

A system for clearing and programming the memory of an FPGA IC, when the IC is comprised of a plurality of cores. The system clears the memory of the of cores. The system then sequentially verifies completion of clearing memory of each core. The system then provides a programming ready signal to all cores when the memory of a last core has has been cleared. The system then sends the bitstream data to a first core. After the first core is programmed, the balance of the bitstream data is sent to a next core. This process is repeated until all of the cores are programmed.

Method and apparatus for cascade programming a chain of cores in an embedded environment

A field-programmable gate array (FPGA) comprising an array of RAM memory cells comprising at least one row of RAM memory cells, each RAM cell of the at least one row of RAM memory cells coupled to a row driver line; a row decoder coupled to a first end of the row driver line of each at least one row of RAM memory cells; a monitoring memory cell coupled to at least one of the row driver line; and where each monitoring memory cell is also coupled to a memory writing line. A method for an FPGA having a plurality of RAM memory cells as the programming mechanism, the FPGA further having erase circuitry for clearing the RAM memory cells for reprogramming of the FPGA. The method comprises providing at least one monitoring memory cell coupled to the erase circuitry; initiating a memory clear phase on at least one monitoring memory cell; and making a determination as to whether the output signal from each at least one monitoring memory cell indicates a cleared monitoring memory cell. The disclosed method may further comprise an act of writing to the at least one monitoring memory cell and a query of determining whether all of the at least one monitoring cell was properly written to. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understand that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

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San Jose, CA, United States of America

Chung Sun