IP Library Granted Patent US 7,755,386
Granted Patent B2
US 7,755,386 · App. 12/111,660 · Granted Jul 13, 2010

Enhanced field programmable gate array

Assignee: Actel Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,755,386
App. No.
12/111,660
Filed
Apr 29, 2008
Granted
Jul 13, 2010
Kind
B2
Examiner
TAN, VIBOL
Art Unit
2819
USPC
326/39
Abstract

An enhanced performance field programmable gate array integrated circuit comprises a field programmable gate array and other functional circuitry such as a mask-programmable gate array in the same integrated circuit. A circuit interface provides communication between the field programmable gate array, the mask-programmable gate array and the integrated circuit I/O.

Claims (145)

1. An integrated circuit device comprising:

a field programmable gate array region having: an input line, an output line, and an enable line;

a mask-programmable gate array region having: an input line, an output line, and an enable line;

an I/O system including I/O pads and associated driver circuits having: an input line, and output line, and an enable line; and

a user-programmable interconnect architecture for selectively making connections between and coupled to the input line, the output line, and the enable line for said field programmable gate array region, said mask-programmable gate array region, and said I/O system, wherein:

the user-programmable interconnect architecture comprises:

a first multiplexer having:

a first data input responsively coupled to the enable signal line of the field programmable gate array region;

a second data input responsively coupled to the enable signal line of the mask-programmable gate array region;

an output coupled to the enable signal line for the I/O system; and

a select input.

2. The integrated circuit device in claim 1 wherein:

the user-programmable interconnect architecture comprises:

a second multiplexer having:

a first data input responsively coupled to the output signal line of the field programmable gate array region;

a second data input responsively coupled to the output signal line of the mask-programmable gate array region;

an output coupled to the output signal line for the I/O system; and

a select input.

3. The integrated circuit device in claim 1 wherein:

the user-programmable interconnect architecture comprises:

a third multiplexer having:

a first data input responsively coupled to the input signal line of the I/O system;

a second data input responsively coupled to the output signal line of the mask-programmable gate array region;

an output coupled to the output signal line for the field programmable gate array region; and

a select input.

4. The integrated circuit device in claim 3 wherein:

the user-programmable interconnect architecture further comprises:

a fifth multiplexer having:

a first data input responsively coupled to the enable signal line of the I/O system;

a second data input;

an output coupled to the enable for the third multiplexer; and

a select input.

5. The integrated circuit device in claim 3 wherein:

the integrated circuit device further comprises:

a second programmable element coupled to and controlling the enable of the third multiplexer; and

a third programmable element coupled to and controlling the second data input of the third multiplexer.

6. The integrated circuit device in claim 1 wherein:

the user-programmable interconnect architecture comprises:

a fourth multiplexer having:

a first data input responsively coupled to the input signal line of the I/O

system;

a second data input responsively coupled to the output signal line of the field programmable gate array region;

an output coupled to the output signal line for the mask-programmable gate array region; and

a select input.

7. The integrated circuit device in claim 6 wherein:

the user-programmable interconnect architecture further comprises:

a sixth multiplexer having:

a first data input responsively coupled to the enable signal line of the I/O system;

a second input; and

an output coupled to the enable for the fourth multiplexer; and

a select input.

8. The integrated circuit device in claim 7 wherein:

the integrated circuit device further comprises:

a fourth programmable element coupled to and controlling the enable of the fourth multiplexer; and

a fifth programmable element coupled to and controlling the second data input of the fourth multiplexer.

9. The integrated circuit device in claim 1 wherein:

the user-programmable interconnect architecture further comprises:

a first control line, a second control line, a third control line, a fourth control line, and fifth control line;

a first multiplexer having:

a first data input responsively coupled to the enable signal line of the field programmable gate array region;

a second data input responsively coupled to the enable signal line of the mask-programmable gate array region and

an output coupled to the enable signal line for the I/O system; and

a select input responsively coupled to the first control line;

a second multiplexer having:

a first data input responsively coupled to the output signal line of the field programmable gate array region;

a second data input responsively coupled to the output signal line of the mask-programmable gate array region; and

an output coupled to the output signal line for the I/O system; and

a select input responsively coupled to the first control line;

a fifth multiplexer having:

a first data input responsively coupled to the enable signal line of the I/O system;

a second input responsively coupled to the third control line; and

an output; and

a select input responsively coupled to the second control line;

a sixth multiplexer having:

a first data input responsively coupled to the enable signal line of the I/O system;

a second data input responsively coupled to the fourth control line; and

an output; and

a select input responsively coupled to the firth control line;

a third multiplexer having:

a first data input responsively coupled to the input signal line of the I/O system;

a second data input responsively coupled to the output signal line of the mask-programmable gate array region; and

an output coupled to the output signal line for the field programmable gate array region; and

a select input responsively coupled to the output of the fifth multiplexer;

a fourth multiplexer having:

a first data input responsively coupled to the input signal line of the I/O system; and

a second data input responsively coupled to the output signal line of the field programmable gate array region;

an output coupled to the output signal line for the mask-programmable gate array region; and

a select input responsively coupled to the output of the sixth multiplexer.

10. The integrated circuit device in claim 9 wherein:

the integrated circuit device further comprises:

a first programmable element coupled to the first control line;

a second programmable element coupled to the second control line;

a third programmable element coupled to the third control line;

a fourth programmable element coupled to the fourth control line; and

a fifth programmable element coupled to the fifth control line.

11. The integrated circuit device in claim 9 wherein:

the I/O system comprises:

a first buffer having an input responsively coupled to an I/O pad and an output coupled to the input line for the I/O system;

a second buffer having an input coupled to the output line of the I/O system, and output coupled to the I/O pad and an enable coupled to the enable line of the I/O system.

12. An integrated circuit device comprising:

a field programmable gate array region having: an input line, an output line, and an enable line;

an analog circuit block;

an I/O system including I/O pads and associated driver circuits having: an input line, and output line, and an enable line; and

a user-programmable interconnect architecture for selectively making connections between and coupled to the input line, the output line, and the enable line for said field programmable gate array region, region analog circuit block, and said I/O system, wherein:

the user-programmable interconnect architecture comprises:

a multiplexer having:

a first data input responsively coupled to the enable signal line of the field programmable gate array region;

a second data input responsively coupled to the analog circuit block;

an output coupled to the enable signal line for the I/O system; and

a select input.

13. The integrated circuit device of claim 12 , wherein:

the analog circuit block comprises at least one of an A/D circuit and a D/A circuit.

14. An integrated circuit device comprising:

a field programmable gate array region having: an input line, an output line, and an enable line;

an ALU specialized digital circuit block;

an I/O system including I/O pads and associated driver circuits having: an input line, and output line, and an enable line; and

a user-programmable interconnect architecture for selectively making connections between and coupled to the input line, the output line, and the enable line for said field programmable gate array region, said ALU specialized digital circuit block, and said I/O system, wherein:

the user-programmable interconnect architecture comprises:

a multiplexer having:

a first data input responsively coupled to the enable signal line of the field programmable gate array region;

a second data input responsively coupled to the ALU specialized digital circuit block;

an output coupled to the enable signal line for the I/O system; and

a select input.

15. An integrated circuit device comprising:

a field programmable gate array region having: an input line, an output line, and an enable line;

a DSP specialized digital circuit block;

an I/O system including I/O pads and associated driver circuits having: an input line, and output line, and an enable line; and

a user-programmable interconnect architecture for selectively making connections between and coupled to the input line, the output line, and the enable line for said field programmable gate array region, said DSP specialized digital circuit block, and said I/O system, wherein:

the user-programmable interconnect architecture comprises:

a multiplexer having:

a first data input responsively coupled to the enable signal line of the field programmable gate array region;

a second data input responsively coupled to the DSP specialized digital circuit block;

an output coupled to the enable signal line for the I/O system; and

a select input.

16. An integrated circuit device comprising:

a field programmable gate array region having: an input line, an output line, and an enable line;

a high speed serial connection specialized I/O function circuit block;

an I/O system including I/O pads and associated driver circuits having: an input line, and output line, and an enable line; and

a user-programmable interconnect architecture for selectively making connections between and coupled to the input line, the output line, and the enable line for said field programmable gate array region, said high speed serial connection specialized I/O function circuit block, and said I/O system, wherein:

the user-programmable interconnect architecture comprises:

a multiplexer having:

a first data input responsively coupled to the enable signal line of the field programmable gate array region;

a second data input responsively coupled to the high speed serial connection specialized I/O function circuit block;

an output coupled to the enable signal line for the I/O system; and

a select input.

Assignments (6)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 29, 2018
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI SEMICONDUCTOR (U.S.), INC.; MICROSEMI FREQUENCY AND TIME CORPORATION; MICROSEMI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.; MICROSEMI SOC CORP.; MICROSEMI CORP. - POWER PRODUCTS GROUP; MICROSEMI CORP. - RF INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS
Reel/Frame 046251/0391 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 3, 2016
From: MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI SEMICONDUCTOR (U.S.) INC. (F/K/A LEGERITY, INC., ZARLINK SEMICONDUCTOR (V.N.) INC., CENTELLAX, INC., AND ZARLINK SEMICONDUCTOR (U.S.) INC.); MICROSEMI FREQUENCY AND TIME CORPORATION (F/K/A SYMMETRICON, INC.); MICROSEMI COMMUNICATIONS, INC. (F/K/A VITESSE SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION); MICROSEMI SOC CORP. (F/K/A ACTEL CORPORATION); MICROSEMI CORP. - POWER PRODUCTS GROUP (F/K/A ADVANCED POWER TECHNOLOGY INC.); MICROSEMI CORP. - RF INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS (F/K/A AML COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 037691/0697 →
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 037380/0504 →
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 (4)
Continuation 1091621400 · Aug 10, 2004
Continuation 0981908400 · Sep 25, 2000
Continuation 0880745500 · Feb 28, 1997
Related Publication 20080197878A1 · Aug 21, 2008