Abstract: A user-defined logic device, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), having a dedicated internal bus, a plurality of dedicated bus interface circuits, and a programmable logic array. The dedicated bus interface circuits are connected in parallel to the dedicated internal bus. The programmable logic array is programmable to implement one or more functions. The programmable logic array is coupled to the dedicated bus interface circuits, such that each function is coupled to a corresponding bus interface circuit. The functions can communicate with one another through the bus interface circuits and internal bus, or through communication pathways located within the programmable logic array. In addition, the functions can communicate with devices external to the user-defined logic device through a bus bridge circuit which is coupled to the dedicated internal bus, or directly through the pins of the user-defined logic device.

Abstract: The invention provides a multiplexer structure having an efficient quadrilateral layout. The multiplexer structure includes a first multiplexer and a second multiplexer, both being coupled to receive a plurality of common input signals. Each multiplexer has a first stage and a second stage. The first stages of the first and second multiplexers are fabricated in a plurality of adjacent multiplexer stripes. Each multiplexer stripe includes a plurality of interleaved pass transistors. The multiplexer stripes are fabricated in parallel with each other along a first axis. Gate electrodes of the pass transistors extend in parallel with each other along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. One or more rows of memory cells extend along the second axis, adjacent to the multiplexer stripes. These memory cells control the pass transistors in the multiplexer stripes.

Abstract: A memory cell array includes a first memory cell, a second memory cell, and a bit line which extends between the first and second memory cells. During normal operation, the bit line is used as a write path for data values to be written to the first and second memory cells. If the first memory cell is defective, the bit line is used to route the data value stored in the second memory cell to the first memory cell, effectively replacing the first memory cell with the second memory cell. In another embodiment, a memory cell array includes a first memory cell for storing a first data value and a second memory cell for storing a second data value. A first pair of bit lines are coupled to the first memory cell, and the first data value is written to the first memory cell on the first pair of bit lines. A second pair of bit lines are coupled to the second memory cell, and the second data value is written to the second memory cell on the second pair of bit lines.

Abstract: A programmable logic device (PLD) comprises at least one configurable element, and a plurality of programmable logic elements for configuring the configurable element(s). Alternatively, a PLD comprises an interconnect structure and a plurality of programmable logic elements for configuring the interconnect structure. In either embodiment, at least one of the programmable logic elements includes N memory cells. A predetermined one of the N memory cells forms part of a memory slice, wherein at least a portion of each slice of the programmable logic device is allocated to either configuration data or user data memory. Typically, one memory slice provides one configuration of the programmable logic device. In accordance with one embodiment, a memory access port is coupled between at least one of the N memory cells and either one configurable element or the interconnect, thereby facilitating loading of new configuration data into other memory slices during the one configuration.

Abstract: A memory cell array includes a first memory cell, a second memory cell, and a bit line which extends between the first and second memory cells. During normal operation, the bit line is used as a write path for data values to be written to the first and second memory cells. If the first memory cell is defective, the bit line is used to route the data value stored in the second memory cell to the first memory cell, effectively replacing the first memory cell with the second memory cell. In another embodiment, a memory cell array includes a first memory cell for storing a first data value and a second memory cell for storing a second data value. A first pair of bit lines are coupled to the first memory cell, and the first data value is written to the first memory cell on the first pair of bit lines. A second pair of bit lines are coupled to the second memory cell, and the second data value is written to the second memory cell on the second pair of bit lines.

Abstract: A composable memory array for a programmable logic device includes a plurality of dedicated, serially coupled memory tiles. Each memory tile includes a plurality of dual-port memory cells, each having a first port and a second port, a plurality of first bit lines coupled to the first ports and a plurality of second data lines coupled to the second ports. The first and second bit lines extend across memory tiles. Each memory tile includes a plurality of first configuration circuits which allow the first bit lines of the memory tile to be coupled to the first bit lines of the previous memory tile. Thus, any number of consecutive memory tiles can be concatenated to form a memory array using the first set of bit lines. Non-consecutive memory tiles include a plurality of second configuration circuits which allow the second bit lines of the memory tile to be coupled to the second bit lines of a previous memory tile.