Programmable logic cell and array
US5089973A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 11, 1989 |
| Grant date | Feb 18, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 11, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K19/17736
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Programmable logic cells, and arrays of those cells, having certain characteristics, including: (1) the ability to program each cell to act either as a logic element or as a logical identity element(s) between one or more inputs and one or more outputs; (2) the ability to rotate circuits by 90.degree. and to reflect circuits about horizontal and vertical axes; (3) an integrated logic and communication structure which emphasizes strictly local communications; (4) a minimal complexity of logic functions available at the cell level, making available a very fine-grained logic structure; and (5) suitability for implementation of both synchronous and asynchronous logic, including speed-independent circuits. Cells are arranged in a grid, with each cell communicating with its north, east, west and south neighbors. The cells are programmable to several states. Using a graphics-based programming environment, the user may construct systems at a pictorial block diagram level, rather than having to be concerned about the detailed implementation of the internal structure of each block. Blocks may be rotated and they may be reflected about horizontal and vertical axes, to place their input and ou…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.