Xilinx, Inc.

Zilog, Inc.

Richard A Carberry

Robert Anders Johnson

Stephen M Trimberger

Jennifer Wong

Steven P Young

Ralph D Wittig

Sundararajarao Mohan

Trevor J Bauer

Suresh M Menon

Joseph H Hassoun

Ketan Sodha

Bernard J New

Scott K Roberts

John P Banning

Method and apparatus for doubling the throughput rate of data transmission on a logic path comprising providing two latches that alternately receive successive bits of the data stream to be transmitted and a multiplexer having data transmission paths that are alternately clocked by two separate clocks, which clocks are substantially 180 degrees out of phase.

Double data rate flip-flop

A fast, space-efficient lookup table (LUT) for programmable logic devices (PLDs) in which the write decoder, read decoder and memory block of the LUT are modified to improve performance while providing a highly efficient layout. Both the write decoder and the read decoder are controlled by LUT input signals, and data signals are transmitted directly to each memory circuit of the memory block (i.e., without passing through the write decoder). The read decoder includes a multiplexing circuit made up of a series of multiplexers that are directly controlled by the input signals received from the interconnect resources of the PLD. In one embodiment, a configurable logic block is provided with a single write decoder that is shared by a first LUT and a second LUT.

FPGA lookup table with high speed read decorder

FPGA lookup table with speed read decoder

A memory array having a read mode and a write mode is addressed using separate read and write decoders. The write decoder is used to write bit values to one column of the array. A hard-wired read decoder is utilized to further increase the operating speed during the memory read mode. In one embodiment, a separate read bit line is provided to facilitate faster read operations. In an exemplary embodiment, the write decoder receives two input signals and generates four write address signals on write word lines that are transmitted to the columns of programmable elements of a logic/memory array. The hard-wired read decoder also receives the same two input signals, and generates eight read address signals on two read word lines, two read address signals being transmitted to each column of the logic/memory array.

Logic/memory circuit having a plurality of operating modes

A programmable logic device (PLD) comprises at least one configurable element, and a plurality of programmable logic elements for configuring the configurable element(s). Alternatively, a PLD comprises an interconnect structure and a plurality of programmable logic elements for configuring the interconnect structure. In either embodiment, at least one of the programmable logic elements includes N memory cells. A predetermined one of the N memory cells forms part of a memory slice, wherein at least a portion of each slice of the programmable logic device is allocated to either configuration data or user data memory. Typically, one memory slice provides one configuration of the programmable logic device. In accordance with one embodiment, a memory access port is coupled between at least one of the N memory cells and either one configurable element or the interconnect, thereby facilitating loading of new configuration data into other memory slices during the one configuration. The new configuration data may include off-chip or on-chip data. The present invention typically allocates at least one slice to user data memory and includes means for disabling access to at least one of the N memory cells.

Method of time multiplexing a programmable logic device

A fast, space-efficient lookup table (LUT) for programmable logic devices (PLDs) in which the write decoder, read decoder and memory block of the LUT are modified to improve performance while providing a highly efficient layout. Both the write decoder and the read decoder are controlled by LUT input signals, and data signals are transmitted directly to each memory circuit of the memory block (i.e., without passing through the write decoder). The write decoder includes NOR gates that generate select signals used to address individual memory circuits during write operations. For dynamic latching during reading or shifting, each memory circuit includes an inverter circuit connected between the memory cell and the output terminal of the memory circuit. The read decoder includes a multiplexing circuit made up of a series of 2-to-1 multiplexers that are directly controlled by the input signals received from the interconnect resources of the PLD. In one embodiment, a configurable logic block is provided with a single write decoder that is shared by a first LUT and a second LUT.

FPGA lookup table with NOR gate write decoder and high speed read decoder

A fast, space-efficient lookup table (LUT) for programmable logic devices (PLDs) in which the write decoder, read decoder and memory block of the LUT are modified to improve performance while providing a highly efficient layout. Both the write decoder and the read decoder are controlled by LUT input signals, and data signals are transmitted directly to each memory circuit of the memory block (i.e., without passing through the write decoder). Each memory circuit includes an inverter circuit connected between the memory cell and the output terminal of the memory circuit. The write decoder includes NOR gates that generate select signals used to address individual memory circuits during write operations. The read decoder includes a multiplexing circuit made up of a series of 2-to-1 multiplexers that are directly controlled by the input signals received from the interconnect resources of the PLD.

FPGA lookup table with dual ended writes for ram and shift register modes

A programmable logic device (PLD) includes at least one function generator capable of implementing any arbitrarily defined Boolean function of input signals. The PLD includes a dynamically controlled multiplexer (MUX) on each function-generator input terminal. The inputs of each MUX can be routed to the corresponding function-generator input terminal by providing an appropriate select signal on one or more control lines. One embodiment of the PLD includes a programmable look-up table (LUT) that permits routing software to determine the correspondence between the MUX input terminals and a user-defined selection code on the MUX select lines. In one embodiment, the correspondence between the NUX input terminals and the selection code is established by configuring a number of programmable memory cells in the LUT. Another embodiment enhances programming flexibility with an additional MUX connected between the control lines and the LUT. This control MUX allows a user to determine which control lines will provide input signals to the function generator.

Programmable logic device having configurable logic blocks with user-accessible input multiplexers

Memory array with hard and soft decoders

A logic/memory circuit (LMC) utilized in a configurable logic block (CLB) of a programmable logic device (PLD) that implements an eight-input lookup table (LUT) using an array of programmable elements arranged in rows and columns. A decoder is used to read bit values from one column (e.g., sixteen programmable elements) of the array. In one embodiment, a separate read bit line is provided to facilitate faster read operations. A sixteen-to-one multiplexer/demultiplexer circuit is used to pass selected bit values to an output terminal. The array of programmable elements is programmable both from configuration lines during a configuration mode, and by data transmitted on the interconnect resources through the multiplexer/demultiplexer circuit. In one embodiment, the programmable elements of the array are connected in pairs to product term generation circuitry, and input signals to the array are routed onto bit lines that are also connected to the product term generation circuitry. Product terms generated by the product term circuitry are passed to a macrocell circuit to perform programmable array logic (PAL) logic operations.

FPGA configurable logic block with multi-purpose logic/memory circuit

A logic/memory circuit (LMC) utilized in a configurable logic block (CLB) of a programmable logic device (PLD) that implements an eight-input lookup table (LUT) using an array of programmable elements arranged in rows and columns. A decoder is used to read bit values from one column (e.g., sixteen programmable elements) of the array. In one embodiment, a separate read bit line is provided to facilitate faster read operations. A sixteen-to-one multiplexer/demultiplexer circuit is used to pass selected bit values to an output terminal. The array of programmable elements is programmable both from configuration lines during a configuration mode, and by data transmitted on the interconnect resources through the multiplexer/demultiplexer circuit. In one embodiment, the programmable elements of the array are connected in pairs to product term generation circuitry. Product terms generated by the product term circuitry are passed to a macrocell circuit to perform programmable array logic (PAL) logic operations. In another embodiment, a CLB includes four LMCs and a multiplier circuit such that large amounts of logic are locally implemented, thereby avoiding signal delays associated with transmission over general purpose interconnect resources within a PLD.

Growing community of inventors

Los Gatos, CA, United States of America

Richard A Carberry