Fully programmable and configurable application specific integrated circuit
US6297666A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 23, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 2, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 23, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K19/177
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for a fully programmable and configurable application specific integrated circuit (FPCA). Programmable I/O cells are programmed for selected electrical characteristics, including power and ground. The circuit contains a functional core for programming the circuit, programmable I/O leads to connect to the programmable I/O cells, and programming logic and control for programming the functional core and I/O cells. Certain leads double as programmable I/O leads and programming control leads, and are used to communicate with the programming logic and control and the I/O cells. A method of programming the FPCA comprises the steps of asserting the programming control signal; applying programming voltage and ground to a respective two designated I/O cells' leads; isolating a plurality of the I/O cells from the programming signal; and programming an FPGA array in addition to the isolated I/O cells of the circuit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.