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:
Oct. 18, 2005
Filed:
Nov. 15, 2002
Vaughn Betz, Toronto, CA;
Elias Ahmed, Toronto, CA;
David Neto, Toronto, CA;
Altera Corporation, San Jose, CA (US);
Abstract
Techniques are provided that combine functional blocks in a user design into fewer programmable circuit elements. Systems and methods of the present invention can combine functional blocks in a user design into a single programmable circuit element. A plurality of functional blocks in a user design that can be combined are identified. The possible combinations of functional blocks can be sorted according to a gain function. The gain function can, for example, weigh routing delays caused by a combination. The most desirable combination is selected from the sorted list of possible combinations. The selected combination is checked to see if it is feasible in light of electrical and user-specified constraints. If the combination is feasible, the combination is performed. Combinations continue to be performed by selecting the most desirable combinations from the sorted list.