Abstract: A programmable logic device has a plurality of super-regions of programmable logic disposed on the device in a two-dimensional array of intersecting rows and columns of super-regions. Horizontal and vertical inter-super-region interconnection conductors are associated with each row and column, respectively. Each super-region includes a plurality of regions of programmable logic, and each region includes a plurality of subregions of programmable logic. Inter-region interconnection conductors are associated with each super-region, principally for bringing signals into the super-region and interconnecting the regions in the super-region. Local conductors are associated with each region, principally for bringing signals into the region. At the super-region level the device may be horizontally and vertically isomorphic, which helps make it possible to produce devices with low aspect ratios of one or nearly one. Shared driver circuits may be provided (e.g.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 13, 1997
Date of Patent:
November 2, 1999
Assignee:
Altera Corporation
Inventors:
Srinivas T. Reddy, Richard G. Cliff, Christopher F. Lane, Ketan H. Zaveri, Manuel M. Mejia, David Jefferson, Bruce B. Pedersen, Andy L. Lee