International Business Machines Corporation

Kim P Clinton

Scott Whitney Gould

Frank Ray Keyser, Iii

Terrance John Zittritsch

Joseph Andrew Iadanza

Allan Robert Bertolet

Timothy Shawn Reny

Steven Paul Hartman

Eric Ernest Millham

Brian A Worth

Victor Paul Seidel

Christine Marie Fuller

Gulson Yasar

Michael Joseph Laramie

Ralph David Kilmoyer

Frank Ray Keyser Iii

Wendell Ray Larsen

A field programmable memory array having a plurality of sub-arrays is provided. Programmable address decoders, programmable hierarchical bit line arrangements, programmable I/O arrangements, among other features, are provided to enable programming of portions of the array into selected modes. The modes may include wide memory, deep memory, FIFO, LIFO, among others. An embodiment of the invention is disclosed wherein the field programmable memory array is integrated with the programmable resources of a field programmable gate array.

Memory cells for field programmable memory array

Selective connectivity between memory sub-arrays and a hierarchical bit

Field programmable memory array

A method and system for defining, placing and routing kernels for a family of integrated circuits is provided. The integrated circuits are defined using repeatable row and column circuit types. Kernels are defined by the intersections of the row and column circuit types in the array. The kernels are placed and routed automatically for each member of the family of integrated circuit arrays, each member being generally characterized by a different size, i.e., a different number of repeatable row or column circuit types.

Method and system for layout and schematic generation for heterogeneous

A memory system having split logical bit lines and interleaved pre-charge/access cycles is provided. A bit line access circuit supports multiple conductors per logical bit line and pre-charges the conductors before access cycles thereto. The access cycles for one logical bit line are performed simultaneous with the pre-charge cycles for another logical bit line by the access circuit. Virtual reading is provided for eliminated memory cells. The memory system can be used in a programmable gate array having memory cells distributed throughout for programming respective programmable resources.

Methods and systems for improving memory component size and access speed

A programmable logic cell has four cell input nodes and a plurality of combinational logic circuits. Four inverter circuits are provided for programmably inverting respective input logic signals, each inverter circuit having an inverter input node connected to a respective cell input node for accepting its respective input logic signal therefrom. Each inverter is programmable into a first state wherein a logic signal representing the complement of the input logic signal is provided to the inverter output node, and a second state wherein a logic signal representing the non-complement of the input logic signal is provided to the inverter output node. The inverter circuits buffer their input logic signals in both their first and second states. A first logic gate of the plurality of combinational logic circuits has first and second inputs each connected to a respective output node of one of two of the four inverter circuits, and a second logic gate has first and second inputs each connected to a respective output node of one of the other two of the four inverter circuits. The inverter circuits may be implemented as XNOR gates.

Programmable inverter circuit used in a programmable logic cell

A programmable logic cell has four logic gates, two of which are configurable. The two configurable logic gates are positioned near the logic cell inputs. Each configurable logic gate has two inputs, each input being connected to one of the four logic cell inputs. The remaining two logic gates receive the outputs of the configurable logic gates. Four independent logic cell input nodes are provided, each having associated therewith a programmable input multiplexer. Each input multiplexer can have inputs connected to at least two types of interconnect conductors. The cell also has two output paths, each having associated therewith an independently-controlled output multiplexer. The output of each output multiplexer is connected to an input of the other output multiplexer. Additional features include a multiplexer having inputs connected to two cell input nodes, a select input connected to a third logic cell input node, and an output connected to a cell output node; a system low-skew data (e.g., clock) input available to at least one of the input multiplexers; a flip-flop connected within the logic cell; and internal cell feedback. The preferred method of programming utilizes user-programmed SRAM memory cells.

Programmable logic cell

Programmable logic cell having configurable gates and multiplexers

A programmable interconnection system for a programmable array includes pluralities of parallel buses for rows and columns of logic cells arranged in the array. Two groups of seven buses are provided for each row or column of logic cells. The buses include conductors connectable to each other, and selectively connectable to, or isolated from, the logic cells. A hierarchy of conductor lengths is disclosed to provide intra-sector and inter-sector bussing. Staggered switching is employed for adjacent sector access.

Programmable array interconnect network

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Essex Junction, VT, United States of America

Kim P Clinton