Programmable gate array with improved interconnect structure, input/output structure and configurable logic block
US5329460A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 1, 1993 |
| Grant date | Jul 12, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 1, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K19/17744
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A programmable gate array with an improved interconnect structure facilitates multi-source networks, communication of signals long distances across the array, and creation of networks in a symmetrical interconnect structure. The interconnect includes direct connections for each configurable logic block in the array to eight neighbors, including adjacent configurable logic blocks and next adjacent configurable logic blocks. Also, the interconnect includes uncommitted long lines which are driven by outputs of configurable logic blocks but not committed through the interconnect to inputs of any specific logic block. Rather, the uncommitted long lines are committed to connections to other segments of the interconnect. The interconnect structure also includes staggered switching matrices at the intersections of the horizontal and vertical buses in the interconnect. Repowering buffers that are configurable in both directions are associated with bidirectional lines in the interconnect, and include a bypass path. The interconnect provides for communication of control signals from off the chip, from any configurable logic block in the array, and from the input/output structures in the array…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.