Patent · US Expired

Architecture, circuitry and method for configuring volatile and/or non-volatile memory for programmable logic applications

US6215689A · kind A · utility

25Cited by
5References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 18, 1999
Grant dateApr 10, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 18, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH10D84/90
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Architecture, circuitry, and methods are provided for operating a high speed, volatile programmable logic integrated circuit using back-up non-volatile memory cells configured on an integrated circuit separate from the programmable logic integrated circuit. The lower density non-volatile memory cells can be formed on an integrated circuit using fabrication steps similar to those used to form, e.g., EEPROM devices or, more specifically, flash EEPROM devices. The programmable logic integrated circuit includes high density, volatile memory cells integrated with high speed, low density configurable CMOS-based logic. By using two separate processing technologies on two separate and distinct monolithic substrates, and interconnecting the separate integrated circuits on a singular monolithic substrate, the advantages of non-volatility can be combined with a high speed programmable circuit. The pins extending from the programmable logic device can be mounted in various ways to corresponding receptors on a printed circuit board. The present architecture, circuitry, and method thereby presents a packaged device which inherently has the same characteristics as a single integrated circuit, yet…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.