IP Library Granted Patent US 7,375,553
Granted Patent B1
US 7,375,553 · App. 11/387,636 · Granted May 20, 2008

Clock tree network in a field programmable gate array

Assignee: Actel Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,375,553
App. No.
11/387,636
Filed
Mar 22, 2006
Granted
May 20, 2008
Kind
B1
Examiner
TAN, VIBOL
Art Unit
2819
USPC
326/41
Abstract

A clock tree distribution network for a field programmable gate array comprises an interface with a root signal chosen from at least one of an external clock signal, an internal clock signal, a plurality of phase lock loop cell output signals and programmable elements. The FPGA includes a logic array with programmable elements coupling the logic array to a programmable routing architecture and the interface. A routed clock network selects a signal from a clock signal from the interface, a local signal from the logic array through the routing architecture, Vcc or ground, and routes the selected signal to the logic array through the clock tree distribution network. A hardwired clock network selects a signal from a clock signal from the interface or a local signal from the routing architecture, and routes the selected signal to a plurality of flip-flops in the logic array through the clock tree distribution network.

Claims (18)

1. A method for providing a clock tree distribution network for a field programmable gate array (FPGA), said method comprising:

providing an interface having a root signal selected from at least one of an external clock signal, an internal clock signal and a plurality of phase lock loop cell output signals, said interface having programmable elements;

coupling a logic array to said interface, said logic array having a plurality of local signals and programmable elements;

coupling a programmable routing architecture to said programmable elements of said interface and said logic array;

providing a routed clock network that selects a signal from at least one of said root signal, a local signal from said logic array, a positive power supply signal, and a ground signal and routes said selected signal to at least one of a plurality of logic modules and a plurality of flip-flops in said logic array; and

providing a hardwired clock network configured to select a signal from at least one of said root signal and a local signal from said logic array, a positive power supply signal, and a ground signal and routes said selected signal to said plurality of flip-flops in said logic array.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

providing at least one clock tile distribution cluster having at least one hardwired clock distribution module to receive said root signal for said hardwired clock network and at least one routed clock distribution module to receive said root signal for said routed clock network.

3. The method of claim 2 ; wherein said clock tile distribution cluster further comprises a plurality of routed clock modules, said modules comprising logic components programmed to select route one of a clock signal, a local signal, a positive power supply signal and a ground signal.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein said clock tile distribution cluster further comprises plurality of hardwired clock modules, said hardwired clock modules comprising logic components programmed to select route one of a clock signal, a local signal, a positive power supply signal and a ground signal.

5. The method of claim 2 , wherein said routed clock network comprises a plurality of routed clock clusters arranged in a column in said logic array that are programmably coupled to said routed clock distribution module in said clock tile distribution cluster.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein said routed clock clusters further comprises a plurality of routed clock modules, said modules comprising logic components programmed to select and route one of a clock signal, a local signal from said routing architecture, a positive power supply signal and ground signal.

7. The method of claim 2 , wherein said hardwired clock network comprises a plurality of hardwired clock clusters arranged in a row in said logic array that are programmably coupled to said hardwired clock distribution module in said clock tile distribution cluster.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein said hardwired clock clusters further comprises a plurality of hardwired clock modules, said hardwired clock modules comprising logic components programmed to select and route one of a clock signal, a local signal, a positive power supply signal and a ground signal.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

providing an I/O pad coupled to said interface.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

providing a selection circuit, wherein said I/O pad is coupled to said interface through said selection circuit.

Assignments (4)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 19, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORP.-ANALOG MIXED SIGNAL GROUP, A DELAWARE CORPORATION; MICROSEMI SOC CORP., A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION; MICROSEMI SEMICONDUCTOR (U.S.) INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION; MICROSEMI FREQUENCY AND TIME CORPORATION, A DELAWARE CORPORATION; MICROSEMI COMMUNICATIONS, INC. (F/K/A VITESSE SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION), A DELAWARE CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORP.-MEMORY AND STORAGE SOLUTIONS (F/K/A WHITE ELECTRONIC DESIGNS CORPORATION), AN INDIANA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 037558/0711 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 28, 2015
From: ACTEL CORPORATION
To: MICROSEMI SOC CORP.
Reel/Frame 037393/0562 →
NOTICE OF SUCCESSION OF AGENCY Recorded Apr 9, 2015
From: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA (AS SUCCESSOR TO MORGAN STANLEY & CO. LLC)
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS SUCCESSOR AGENT
Reel/Frame 035657/0223 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 11, 2011
From: WHITE ELECTRONIC DESIGNS CORP.; ACTEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION
To: MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 025783/0613 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 1091692600 · Aug 11, 2004
Continuation 1044825800 · May 28, 2003