Abstract: A programmable logic device and associated method is provided with repairable regions. In one aspect, general routing interconnect lines are segmented within repairable regions. In another aspect, IO bus lines and associated circuitry are provided that accommodate redundancy in a staggered segmented architecture. In another aspect, a dedicated routing architecture between particular logic regions accommodates shifting to define and utilize repairable regions. Principles of other aspects are illustrated and described in the context of several exemplary embodiments of aspects of the invention.

Abstract: Improved routing architectures including one or more high speed input/output (I/O) bypass paths are provided for use in, for example, programmable logic devices (PLDs) such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). The output bypass paths add additional routing connections to the routing architecture, providing faster connections between the output of a logic element (LE) in the PLD and external circuitry. In one embodiment, an output bypass path is used for directly connecting the output of the LE to the input of an I/O multiplexer of an I/O block. In another embodiment, the output bypass path also bypasses the I/O multiplexer, providing a direct connection between the output of the LE and a bypass multiplexer of the I/O block. Also provided is an input bypass path which provides direct connections between an input buffer of the I/O block and an otherwise dangling conductor at the periphery of the PLD's routing architecture.

Abstract: An embodiment of this invention pertains to a versatile and flexible logic element and logic array block (“LAB”). Each logic element includes a programmable combinational logic function block such as a lookup table (“LUT”) and a flip-flop. Within the logic element, multiplexers are provided to allow the flip-flop and the LUT to be programmably connected such that either the output of the LUT may be connected to the input of the flip-flop or the output of the flip-flop may be connected to the input of the LUT. An additional multiplexer allows the output of the flip-flop in one logic element to be connected to the input of a flip-flop in a different logic element within the same LAB. Output multiplexers selects between the output of the LUT and the output of the flip-flop to generate signals that drive routing lines within the LAB and to routing lines external to the LAB.

Abstract: An embodiment of this invention pertains to a versatile and flexible logic element and logic array block (“LAB”). Each logic element includes a programmable combinational logic function block such as a lookup table (“LUT”) and a flip-flop. Within the logic element, multiplexers are provided to allow the flip-flop and the LUT to be programmably connected such that either the output of the LUT may be connected to the input of the flip-flop or the output of the flip-flop may be connected to the input of the LUT. An additional multiplexer allows the output of the flip-flop in one logic element to be connected to the input of a flip-flop in a different logic element within the same LAB. Output multiplexers selects between the output of the LUT and the output of the flip-flop to generate signals that drive routing lines within the LAB and to routing lines external to the LAB.

Abstract: An embodiment of this invention pertains to a wire that interconnects multiple function blocks within a programmable logic device (“PLD”). An electrically optimum physical length is determined for the wire. A wire having the electrically optimum physical length transmits a signal down the wire as fast as possible. Some of the wires used in the PLD have a physical length substantially the same as the electrically optimum physical length or an adjustment of the electrically optimum physical length to account for non-electrical considerations. The physical length, as used herein, is the measured length of the wire. A logical length of the wire, as used herein, is the number of function blocks that the wire spans. Given that the function blocks have a different height and width, the logical length of the wire varies depending on the orientation of the wire. A routing architecture is an array that includes rows and columns of function blocks.

Abstract: A routing structure in a PLD is implemented in a staggered fashion. Routing lines that would otherwise be “partial” and dangling at a routing architecture boundary are driven, providing additional flexibility for routing signals to the PLD core from the boundaries.

Abstract: In one aspect, flexible routing resources provided are comprising an arrangement of staggered line segments on a periphery of an electronic device. In another aspect, I/O bus lines a re coupled to receive signals from and to provide signals to other bus lines, core routing, and I/O circuitry, thus facilitating the use of the I/O bus for a variety of routes that may include I/O-to-core, core-to-I/O and core-to-core routes. In another aspect, a length of I/O bus lines is optimized for speed over long signal routes with high fanout. In another aspect, the loading effects of high fanout are minimized by using a plurality of tapping buffers to couple lines to both core routing and to I/O circuitry. In another aspect, a spiraling technique is provided that allows a continuous bus having line segments of consistent length whether or not the number of I/O blocks is an integral multiple of the selected logical length for line segments.

Abstract: A routing structure in a PLD is implemented in a staggered fashion. Routing lines that would otherwise be “partial” and dangling at a routing architecture boundary are driven, providing additional flexibility for routing signals to the PLD core from the boundaries.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a hole is formed within an LE array of a PLD by interrupting the LE array base signal routing architecture such that a hole is left for IP function block to be incorporated. An interface region is provided for interfacing the remaining LE array base signal routing architecture to the IP function block.

Abstract: A routing structure in a PLD is implemented in a staggered fashion. Routing lines that would otherwise be “partial” and dangling at a routing architecture boundary are driven, providing additional flexibility for routing signals to the PLD core from the boundaries.

Abstract: An embodiment of this invention pertains to a 3-sided routing architecture to interconnect function blocks, such as logic array blocks (“LABs”), within a programmable logic device (“PLD”). In the 3-sided routing architecture, inputs and outputs on a first side of a function block connect to a first channel, and inputs and outputs on a second side of the function block connect to a second channel where the second side is opposite the first side. Inputs and outputs on a third side of the function block connect to a third channel. A fourth channel associated with a fourth side of the function block, the fourth side opposite the third side, is coupled only to the first channel and the second channel. In one configuration, the inputs and outputs on each of the first side, the second side, and the third side have an equal number of inputs and outputs. In this configuration, each of the first channel, the second channel, and the third channel have the same width.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a hole is formed within an LE array of a PLD by interrupting the LE array base signal routing architecture such that a hole is left for IP function block to be incorporated. An interface region is provided for interfacing the remaining LE array base signal routing architecture to the IP function block.

Abstract: A programmable logic device and associated method is provided with repairable regions. In one aspect, general routing interconnect lines are segmented within repairable regions. In another aspect, IO bus lines and associated circuitry are provided that accommodate redundancy in a staggered segmented architecture. In another aspect, a dedicated routing architecture between particular logic regions accommodates shifting to define and utilize repairable regions. Principles of other aspects are illustrated and described in the context of several exemplary embodiments of aspects of the invention.

Abstract: An embodiment of this invention pertains to a wire that interconnects multiple function blocks within a programmable logic device (“PLD”). An electrically optimum physical length is determined for the wire. A wire having the electrically optimum physical length transmits a signal down the wire as fast as possible. Some of the wires used in the PLD have a physical length substantially the same as the electrically optimum physical length or an adjustment of the electrically optimum physical length to account for non-electrical considerations. The physical length, as used herein, is the measured length of the wire. A logical length of the wire, as used herein, is the number of function blocks that the wire spans. Given that the function blocks have a different height and width, the logical length of the wire varies depending on the orientation of the wire.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a hole is formed within an LE array of a PLD by interrupting the LE array base signal routing architecture such that a hole is left for IP function block to be incorporated. An interface region is provided for interfacing the remaining LE array base signal routing architecture to the IP function block.

Abstract: A routing structure in a PLD is implemented in a staggered fashion. Routing lines that would otherwise be “partial” and dangling at a routing architecture boundary are driven, providing additional flexibility for routing signals to the PLD core from the boundaries.