IP Library Granted Patent US 7,915,918
Granted Patent B2
US 7,915,918 · App. 12/915,454 · Granted Mar 29, 2011

Method and apparatus for universal program controlled bus architecture

Assignee: Actel Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,915,918
App. No.
12/915,454
Granted
Mar 29, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

An integrated circuit including a programmable logic array with a plurality of logic cells and programmable interconnections to receive input signals and to perform logical functions to transmit output signals. The integrated circuit may also include megacells comprising a plurality of functional blocks receiving inputs and transmitting outputs. The integrated circuit may also include a programmable interconnections subsystem to cascade the megacells. The megacells are coupled to the programmable logic array.

Claims (90)

1. A programmable integrated circuit device, comprising:

first and second megacells of a first plurality of megacells, each of the first and second megacells having a plurality of input/output ports;

a first line of a first plurality of lines, wherein:

the first plurality of lines comprises a bus associated with the first plurality of megacells,

the first line is programmably coupleable to a first input/output port of the first megacell, and

the first line is programmably coupleable to a second input/output port of the second megacell; and

a first programmable combinatorial logic element programmably coupleable to the first line.

2. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 1 , further comprising:

third and fourth megacells of a second plurality of megacells, each of the third and fourth megacells having a plurality of input/output ports;

a second line of a second plurality of lines, wherein:

the second plurality of lines comprises a bus associated with the second plurality of megacells,

the second line is programmably coupleable to a third input/output port of the third megacell, and

the second line is programmably coupleable to a fourth input/output port of the fourth megacell; and

a second programmable combinatorial logic element programmably coupleable to the second line.

3. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 2 , wherein the first line is programmably coupleable to the second line.

4. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 3 , wherein:

the first plurality of lines is a core bus; and

the second plurality of lines is a core bus.

5. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 3 , wherein:

the first plurality of lines is a core bus; and

the second plurality of lines is a peripheral bus.

6. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 1 , further comprising:

a third input/output port of the first megacell;

a fourth input/output port of the second megacell;

a second programmable combinatorial logic element; and

a second line of the first plurality of lines, wherein:

the third input/output port is programmably coupleable to the second line,

the fourth input/output port is programmably coupleable to the second line, and

the second programmable combinatorial logic element is programmably coupleable to the second line.

7. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 6 , wherein:

the first plurality of lines is a peripheral bus;

the first and second input/output ports are outputs; and

the third and fourth input/output ports are inputs.

8. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 6 , wherein:

the first plurality of lines is a core bus;

the first and second input/output ports are outputs; and

the third and fourth input/output ports are inputs.

9. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 6 , wherein the first line and second lines are bidirectional.

10. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of lines is a peripheral bus.

11. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of lines is a core bus.

12. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 1 , wherein the first input/output port is an output.

13. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 1 , wherein the first input/output port is an input.

14. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 1 , further comprising:

a second line of a second plurality of lines, wherein the first line of the first plurality of lines is programmably coupleable to the second line of the second plurality of lines; and

a first input/output pad coupled to the second line of the second plurality of lines.

15. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 14 , wherein the first input/output pad is coupled to the second line of the second plurality of lines through a programmable connection.

16. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 14 , wherein the first line of the first plurality of lines is programmably coupleable to the second line of the second plurality of lines through a three-statable connection.

17. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 14 , wherein the first input/output pad is coupled to the second line of the second plurality of lines through a direct hardwired connection.

18. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 14 , wherein:

the first plurality of lines is a peripheral bus; and

the second plurality of lines comprises I-matrix lines.

19. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 14 , wherein the first and second lines are bidirectional.

20. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 1 , wherein the first line is bidirectional.

21. A programmable integrated circuit device, comprising:

a first plurality of lines comprising a bus associated with a first plurality of megacells;

a first megacell of the plurality of megacells having a first plurality of input/output ports, wherein:

each input/output port of the first plurality of input/output ports is programmably coupleable to at least one line of the first plurality of lines, and

each line of the first plurality of lines is programmably coupleable to at least one of the input/output ports of the first plurality of input/output ports; and

a programmable combinatorial logic element programmably coupleable to a first line of the first plurality of lines.

22. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 21 , wherein the first plurality of lines is a peripheral bus.

23. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 21 , wherein the first plurality of lines is a core bus.

24. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 21 , further comprising:

a second line of a second plurality of lines programmably coupleable to the programmable combinatorial logic element;

an input/output pad coupled to the second line of the second plurality of lines.

25. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 24 , wherein the input/output pad is coupled to the second line of the second plurality of lines through a direct hardwired connection.

26. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 24 , wherein the first input/output pad is coupled to the second line of the second plurality of lines through a programmable connection.

27. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 26 , wherein:

the first plurality of lines is a peripheral bus; and

the second plurality of lines comprises I-matrix lines.

28. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 24 , wherein:

the first plurality of lines is a peripheral bus; and

the second plurality of lines comprises I-matrix lines.

29. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 24 , further comprising a second megacell of the plurality of megacells having a second plurality of input/output ports, wherein:

each input/output port of the first plurality of input/output ports is programmably coupleable to at least one line of the first plurality of lines, and

each line of the first plurality of lines is programmably coupleable to at least one of the input/output ports.

30. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 29 , wherein the first plurality of lines is a core bus.

31. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 21 , further comprising a second megacell of the plurality of megacells having a second plurality of input/output ports, wherein:

each input/output port of the first plurality of input/output ports is programmably coupleable to at least one line of the first plurality of lines, and

each line of the first plurality of lines is programmably coupleable to at least one of the input/output ports.

32. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 31 , wherein the first plurality of lines is a core bus.

33. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 24 , further comprising:

a third plurality of lines comprising a bus associated with the first plurality of megacells; and

a second plurality of input/output ports of the first megacell, wherein:

each input/output port of the second plurality of input/output ports is programmably coupleable to at least one line of the third plurality of lines, and

each line of the third plurality of lines is programmably coupleable to at least one of the input/output ports of the second plurality of input ports.

34. The programmable integrated circuit device of claim 21 , further comprising:

a second plurality of lines comprising a bus associated with the first plurality of megacells; and

a second plurality of input/output ports of the first megacell, wherein:

each input/output port of the second plurality of input/output ports is programmably coupleable to at least one line of the second plurality of lines, and

each line of the second plurality of lines is programmably coupleable to at least one of the input/output ports of the second plurality of input ports.

Assignments (3)
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 →
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 →
SUPPLEMENTAL PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 11, 2011
From: MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORP. - ANALOG MIXED SIGNAL GROUP; MICROSEMI CORP. - MASSACHUSETTS; ACTEL CORPORATION
To: MORGAN STANLEY & CO. LLC
Reel/Frame 027213/0611 →
Continuity (10)
Continuation 12401055 · Mar 10, 2009
Continuation 12148071 · Apr 15, 2008
Continuation 11219597 · Sep 1, 2005
Continuation 10811422 · Mar 25, 2004
Continuation 10412975 · Apr 11, 2003
Continuation 10231320 · Aug 28, 2002
Continuation 09960916 · Sep 24, 2001
Continuation 09243998 · Feb 4, 1999
Continuation 08708403 · Sep 4, 1996
Related Publication 20110043248A1 · Feb 24, 2011