Abstract: A programmable logic integrated circuit device has a plurality of regions of programmable logic disposed on the device in a plurality of intersecting rows and columns of such regions. Interconnection resources (e.g., interconnection conductors, signal buffers/drivers, programmable connectors, etc.) are provided on the device for making programmable interconnections to, from, and/or between the regions. At least some of these interconnection resources are provided in two forms that are architecturally similar (e.g., with similar and substantially parallel routing) but that have significantly different signal propagation speed characteristics. For example, a major or larger portion of such dual-form interconnection resources may have what may be termed normal signal speed, while a smaller minor portion may have significantly faster signal speed. Secondary (e.g.

Abstract: A programmable logic integrated circuit device has a plurality of regions of programmable logic disposed on the device in a plurality of intersecting rows and columns of such regions. Interconnection resources (e.g., interconnection conductors, signal buffers/drivers, programmable connectors, etc.) are provided on the device for making programmable interconnections to, from, and/or between the regions. At least some of these interconnection resources are provided in two forms that are architecturally similar (e.g., with similar and substantially parallel routing) but that have significantly different signal propagation speed characteristics. For example, a major or larger portion of such dual-form interconnection resources may have what may be termed normal signal speed, while a smaller minor portion may have significantly faster signal speed. Secondary (e.g.

Abstract: A programmable logic device has many regions of programmable logic, together with relatively general-purpose, programmable, interconnection resources that can be used to make interconnections between virtually any of the logic regions. In addition, various types of more local interconnection resources are associated with each logic region for facilitating the making of interconnections between adjacent or nearby logic regions without the need to use the general-purpose interconnection resources for those interconnections. The local interconnection resources support flexible clustering of logic regions via relatively direct and therefore high-speed interconnections, preferably in both horizontal and vertical directions in the typically two-dimensional array of logic regions. The logic region clustering options provided by the local interconnection resources are preferably boundary-less or substantially boundary-less within the array of logic regions.

Abstract: A programmable logic device has many regions of programmable logic, together with relatively general-purpose, programmable, interconnection resources that can be used to make interconnections between virtually any of the logic regions. In addition, various types of more local interconnection resources are associated with each logic region for facilitating the making of interconnections between adjacent or nearby logic regions without the need to use the general-purpose interconnection resources for those interconnections. The local interconnection resources support flexible clustering of logic regions via relatively direct and therefore high-speed interconnections, preferably in both horizontal and vertical directions in the typically two-dimensional array of logic regions. The logic region clustering options provided by the local interconnection resources are preferably boundary-less or substantially boundary-less within the array of logic regions.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for performing an incremental recompile of an electronic design that has been previous compiled and then changed by a designer. This is accomplished by identifying a “sub-netlist” within the larger netlist of the changed design. The sub-netlist contains the sphere of influence of the designer's changes to the original design. During incremental recompile, only the sub-netlist is compiled; the remainder of the netlist is left as is from the previous compile. After the sub-netlist is synthesized, it is integrated back into the synthesized netlist from the previous compilation. The newly synthesized netlist for the changed design is mapped to logic cells which are then fit onto a target hardware device.

Abstract: A semiconductor package including a universal substrate with interior pads, peripheral pads, and substrate traces positioned between the interior pads and the peripheral pads. The interior pads are configured for electrical interface with a first semiconductor chip. The peripheral pads are configured for electrical interface with a second semiconductor chip that is larger than the first semiconductor chip. By providing a universal substrate that can accommodate multiple die sizes, package design time and costs can thus be reduced.

Abstract: A programmable logic integrated circuit device has a plurality of regions of programmable logic disposed on the device in a plurality of intersecting rows and columns of such regions. Interconnection resources (e.g., interconnection conductors, signal buffers/drivers, programmable connectors, etc.) are provided on the device for making programmable interconnections to, from, and/or between the regions. At least some of these interconnection resources are provided in two forms that are architecturally similar (e.g., with similar and substantially parallel routing) but that have significantly different signal propagation speed characteristics. For example, a major or larger portion of such dual-form interconnection resources may have what may be termed normal signal speed, while a smaller minor portion may have significantly faster signal speed. Secondary (e.g.

Abstract: A programmable logic integrated circuit device has a plurality of regions of programmable logic disposed on the device in a plurality of intersecting rows and columns of such regions. Interconnection resources (e.g., interconnection conductors, signal buffers/drivers, programmable connectors, etc.) are provided on the device for making programmable interconnections to, from, and/or between the regions. At least some of these interconnection resources are provided in two forms that are architecturally similar (e.g., with similar and substantially parallel routing) but that have significantly different signal propagation speed characteristics. For example, a major or larger portion of such dual-form interconnection resources may have what may be termed normal signal speed, while a smaller minor portion may have significantly faster signal speed. Secondary (e.g.

Abstract: A programmable logic device has many regions of programmable logic, together with relatively general-purpose, programmable, interconnection resources that can be used to make interconnections between virtually any of the logic regions. In addition, various types of more local interconnection resources are associated with each logic region for facilitating the making of interconnections between adjacent or nearby logic regions without the need to use the general-purpose interconnection resources for those interconnections. The local interconnection resources support flexible clustering of logic regions via relatively direct and therefore high-speed interconnections, preferably in both horizontal and vertical directions in the typically two-dimensional array of logic regions. The logic region clustering options provided by the local interconnection resources are preferably boundary-less or substantially boundary-less within the array of logic regions.

Abstract: A programmable logic device has many regions of programmable logic, together with relatively general-purpose, programmable, interconnection resources that can be used to make interconnections between virtually any of the logic regions. In addition, various types of more local interconnection resources are associated with each logic region for facilitating the making of interconnections between adjacent or nearby logic regions without the need to use the general-purpose interconnection resources for those interconnections. The local interconnection resources support flexible clustering of logic regions via relatively direct and therefore high-speed interconnections, preferably in both horizontal and vertical directions in the typically two-dimensional array of logic regions. The logic region clustering options provided by the local interconnection resources are preferably boundary-less or substantially boundary-less within the array of logic regions.

Abstract: A programmable logic integrated circuit device has logic modules with some inputs that are optimized for speed (to enhance the speed-performance of the logic modules). For example, some of the inputs may be programmably swappable within a logic module so that a speed-critical input signal can be more easily routed to a faster part of the logic module circuitry. Alternatively or in addition, drivers may be added to the logic module circuitry to improve the speed performance of some of the inputs to the logic module. The logic module may be provided with enhanced “lonely register” circuitry which allows the lonely register output signal to be fed back for use as an input to the combinatorial logic of the logic module. The registers in multiple logic modules may be directly chained to one another in a series.

Abstract: Programmable input/output cell circuitry for use in an integrated circuit and having various programmably selectable modes of operation which may include (1) a first output mode in which one output signal is applied to a pin during each cycle of a clock signal, (2) a second output mode in which two different output signals are time-division multiplexed to the pin during respective halves of the clock signal cycle, (3) a first input mode in which one input signal value is received from the pin during each cycle of the clock signal, and (4) a second input mode in which two time-division multiplexed input signals are received from the pin during respective halves of the clock signal cycle and demultiplexed by the input/output cell circuitry.

Abstract: A logic array block of a programmable logic device includes a clock generation circuit. The clock generation circuit has an input node to receive a clock signal, an enable signal input node to receive an enable signal, a clock generation circuit output node, and a digital logic circuit connected between the clock generation circuit input node, the enable signal input node, and the clock generation circuit output node. The digital logic circuit generates an enabled clock signal on the clock generation circuit output node in response to the clock signal and the enable signal when the enable signal has been asserted during a previous clock state of the clock signal. A set of logic elements, each of which includes a logic element clock input node, is connected to the clock generation circuit output node such that each logic element of the set of logic elements receives the enabled clock signal from the clock generation circuit.

Abstract: A method of partitioning logic into a programmable logic device includes the steps of synthesizing a logic design into a network of hierarchical components. Each hierarchical component is then mapped to a minimum number of logic array blocks in a programmable logic device. The mapping operation may be performed by independently synthesizing the hierarchical components into a network of virtual logic elements, assigning the virtual logic elements to virtual logic array blocks, and mapping the virtual logic array blocks to the logic array blocks in the programmable logic device.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for performing an incremental recompile of an electronic design that has been previous compiled and then changed by a designer. This is accomplished by identifying a "sub-netlist" within the larger netlist of the changed design. The sub-netlist contains the sphere of influence of the designer's changes to the original design. During incremental recompile, only the sub-netlist is compiled; the remainder of the netlist is left as is from the previous compile. After the sub-netlist is synthesized, it is integrated back into the synthesized netlist from the previous compilation. The newly synthesized netlist for the changed design is mapped to logic cells which are then fit onto a target hardware device.

Abstract: A system for allowing a user to assign timing specifications to points in a circuit and have the timing properties of the circuit analyzed with respect to the timing specifications. The system allows timing specifications such as maximum propagation delay, clock-to-output delay, setup time and maximum clock frequency to be assigned at any point in the circuit. The system uses predefined rules to determine which of multiple possible specifications are to be used in analyzing each path of the circuit. A method of concurrently performing the assignment and analysis is described.