The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 21, 2003
Filed:
Aug. 03, 2001
David B. Squires, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Xilinx, Inc., San Jose, CA (US);
Abstract
A method for providing a core for a programmable logic device (PLD) is provided. In this method, a vendor can designate the size and ports of a core. Using this information, a user can generate a top-level design that can accommodate the core. The user can then submit that top-level design to the vendor, or a third party designated by the vendor, to generate a complete configuration bitstream for the PLD. The user can use this configuration bitstream to program the PLD, thereby implementing the top-level design including the core. The number of bits in this configuration bitstream is typically large enough to render reverse engineering economically unfeasible. Thus, the method allows vendors to retain control over their proprietary core IP and discourages undetectable use of this IP.