Patents Assigned to Actel Corporation
  • Patent number: 7884636
    Abstract: A method for single event transient filtering in an integrated circuit device is described. The device comprises three sequential elements, each having a data input and a data output with each of the three data outputs coupled to one of three inputs of a voting gate. The method comprises generating first and second nominally equivalent logic signals in first and second SET domains, converting the first and second nominally equivalent logic signals into first, second and third nominally equivalent data channels, and transmitting the first, second and third nominally equivalent data channels to the data inputs of the first, second and third sequential elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Actel Corporation
    Inventors: Sana Rezgui, John McCollum, Jih-Jong Wang
  • Patent number: 7884640
    Abstract: A programmable logic device (PLD) with a plurality of programmable regions is disclosed. Some of the programmable regions have switch power or ground supplies to allow them to be put into a low-power state in one or more low-power modes. At least one of the programmable regions always remains on during the low-power modes to enable the user to design custom PLD power management logic that may be placed in the always-on programmable region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Actel Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan W Greene, Gregory Bakker, Vidyadhara Bellippady, Volker Hecht, Theodore Speers
  • Patent number: 7872497
    Abstract: A fast, flexible carry scheme for use in clustered field programmable gate array architectures is described. Each cluster has a cluster carry input node, a cluster carry output node, a cluster carry output circuit having an output coupled to the cluster carry output node, a first input coupled to the cluster carry input node, and a second input and a plurality of logic modules each comprising a logic function generator circuit coupled to a carry circuit. The logic modules are coupled in a series carry arrangement between the cluster carry input node and the second input of the cluster carry output circuit such that the least significant bit of an arithmetic logic circuit can be programmably placed in any of the logic modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Actel Corporation
    Inventor: William C. Plants
  • Patent number: 7859302
    Abstract: A programmable system-on-a-chip integrated circuit device includes a programmable logic block, at least one user non-volatile memory block, and voltage-measuring and control analog and digital circuits on a single semiconductor integrated circuit chip or a flip chip, face-to-face, or other multiple die configuration. The programmable system-on-a-chip integrated circuit with voltage-measuring, current-measuring and control circuitry performs voltage measurement and control functions and can be used to control and monitor external power supplies connected to external loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Actel Corporation
    Inventors: Rabindranath Balasubramanian, Gregory Bakker
  • Patent number: 7839681
    Abstract: A flash memory cell includes a p-channel flash transistor having a source, a drain, a floating gate, and a control gate, an n-channel flash transistor having a source, a drain coupled to the drain of the p-channel flash transistor, a floating gate, and a control gate, a switch transistor having a gate coupled to the drains of the p-channel flash transistor and the n-channel flash transistor, a source, and a drain, and an n-channel assist transistor having a drain coupled to the drains of the p-channel flash transistor and the n-channel flash transistor, a source coupled to a fixed potential, and a gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Actel Corporation
    Inventors: Zhigang Wang, Fethi Dhaoui, Michael Sadd, John McCollum, Frank Hawley
  • Patent number: 7838944
    Abstract: A non-volatile programmable memory cell suitable for use in a programmable logic array includes a non-volatile MOS transistor of a first conductivity type in series with a volatile MOS transistor of a second conductivity type. The non-volatile MOS transistor may be a floating gate transistor, such as a flash transistor, or may be another type of non-volatile transistor such as a floating charge-trapping SONOS, MONOS transistor, or a nano-crystal transistor. A volatile MOS transistor, an inverter, or a buffer may be driven by coupling its gate or input to the common connection between the non-volatile MOS transistor and the volatile MOS transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Actel Corporation
    Inventors: Fethi Dhaoui, John McCollum, Frank Hawley, Leslie Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 7830173
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Actel Corporation
    Inventors: Peter M. Pani, Benjamin S. Ting
  • Patent number: 7816946
    Abstract: A flip-flop for use in a field programmable gate array integrated circuit device is disclosed. The flip-flop comprises a data output terminal coupled to a first programmable routing element, a data input terminal coupled to a second programmable routing element, and a clock input terminal, wherein a signal appearing at the data output terminal in response to a signal applied to the clock input terminal has the opposite logical polarity with respect to the corresponding logical signal applied to the data input terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Actel Corporation
    Inventors: Volker Hecht, Fei Li, Jonathan W. Greene
  • Patent number: 7804321
    Abstract: An FPGA architecture includes multiplexers having non-volatile switches having control gates coupled to word lines W, each word line associated with a row, the switches connecting to wiring tracks through buffers having a controllable ground connection NGND, at least some of the switches being a tie-off switch coupleable to one of a plurality of bitlines B, each bitline associated with column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Actel Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan W. Greene, John McCollum, Volker Hecht
  • Patent number: 7772874
    Abstract: A method for single event transient filtering in an integrated circuit device is described. The device comprises three sequential elements, each having a data input and a data output with each of the three data outputs coupled to one of three inputs of a voting gate. The method comprises generating first and second nominally equivalent logic signals in first and second SET domains, converting the first and second nominally equivalent logic signals into first, second and third nominally equivalent data channels, and transmitting the first, second and third nominally equivalent data channels to the data inputs of the first, second and third sequential elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Actel Corporation
    Inventors: Sana Rezgui, John McCollum, Jih-Jong Wang
  • Patent number: 7772879
    Abstract: A logic module for an FPGA includes a LUT formed from an N-level tree of 2:1 multiplexers. Each of the N inputs to the LUT is connected to the select inputs of the multiplexers in one level of the tree. Each of the data inputs at the leaves of the tree is driven by a configuration memory cell that produces either a logic 0 or a logic 1. The output of the single multiplexer at the last level of the tree forms a Y output and is coupled to one input of an XOR gate and to the select input of a two-input carry multiplexer. The 0 input of the carry multiplexer is coupled to a G input. A CI input is coupled to the other input of the XOR gate and to the 1 input of the carry multiplexer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Actel Corporation
    Inventors: Wenyi Feng, Jonathan Greene
  • Patent number: 7774665
    Abstract: An apparatus for interfacing a phase locked loop in a field programmable gate array. The apparatus comprising a phase locked loop cluster. The phase locked loop further comprising a plurality of RT modules, a plurality of RO modules, at least one TY module, a plurality of receiver modules and at least one buffer module. A phase locked loop selectively coupled to the RT modules, the RO modules, the TY modules, the receiver modules and at least one buffer module in the phase locked loop cluster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Actel Corporation
    Inventors: Wei-Min Kuo, Donald Y. Yu
  • Patent number: 7768056
    Abstract: An isolated-nitride-region non-volatile memory cell is formed in a semiconductor substrate. Spaced-apart source and drain regions are disposed in the semiconductor substrate forming a channel therebetween. An insulating region is disposed over the semiconductor substrate. A gate is disposed over the insulating region and is horizontally aligned with the channel. A plurality of isolated nitride regions are disposed in the insulating region and are not in contact with either the channel or the gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Actel Corporation
    Inventor: John McCollum
  • Patent number: 7768810
    Abstract: In an integrated circuit, a radiation tolerant static random access memory device comprising a first inverter having an input and an output, a second inverter having an input and an output. A first resistor is coupled between the output of the first inverter and the input of the second inverter. A second resistor is coupled between the output of the second inverter and the input of the first inverter. A first write transistor is coupled to the output of the first inverter and has a gate coupled to a source of a first set of write-control signals and a second write transistor is coupled to the output of the second inverter and has a gate coupled to said source of a second set of write-control signals. Finally, a pass transistor has a gate coupled to the output of on of the first and second inverters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Actel Corporation
    Inventor: John McCollum
  • Patent number: 7768317
    Abstract: A radiation-tolerant flash-based FPGA switching element includes a plurality of memory cells each having a memory transistor and a switch transistor sharing a floating gate. Four such memory cells are combined such that two sets of two switch transistors are wired in series and the two sets of series-wired switch transistors are also wired in parallel. The four memory transistors associated with the series-parallel combination of switch transistors are all programmed to the same on or off state. The series combination prevents an “on” radiation-hit fault to one of the floating gates from creating a false connection and the parallel combination prevents an “off” radiation-hit fault to one of the floating gates from creating a false open circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Actel Corporation
    Inventors: Fethi Dhaoui, Zhigang Wang, John McCollum, Richard Chan, Vidyadhara Bellippady
  • Patent number: 7755386
    Abstract: An enhanced performance field programmable gate array integrated circuit comprises a field programmable gate array and other functional circuitry such as a mask-programmable gate array in the same integrated circuit. A circuit interface provides communication between the field programmable gate array, the mask-programmable gate array and the integrated circuit I/O.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Actel Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel W. Beal, Sinan Kaptonoglu, Jung-Cheun Lien, William Shu, King W. Chan, William C. Plants
  • Publication number: 20100149873
    Abstract: A flash memory cell includes a p-channel flash transistor having a source, a drain, a floating gate, and a control gate, an n-channel flash transistor having a source, a drain coupled to the drain of the p-channel flash transistor, a floating gate, and a control gate, a switch transistor having a gate coupled to the drains of the p-channel flash transistor and the n-channel flash transistor, a source, and a drain, and an n-channel assist transistor having a drain coupled to the drains of the p-channel flash transistor and the n-channel flash transistor, a source coupled to a fixed potential, and a gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: ACTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zhigang Wang, Fethi Dhaoui, Michael Sadd, John McCollum, Frank Hawley
  • Patent number: 7718512
    Abstract: A metal interconnect structure formed over a substrate in an integrated circuit that traverses a scribe-line boundary between a first die and a second die includes at least one metal interconnect line that traverses the scribe-line boundary. A switch is coupled between the at least one metal interconnect line and the substrate, the switch having a control element coupled to a scribe-cut control line. The control line turns the switch on if the two dice are separated into individual dice and turns the switch off if the two dice are to remain physically connected so that the interconnect line may be used to make connections between circuits on the two dice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Actel Corporation
    Inventor: John McCollum
  • Publication number: 20100100864
    Abstract: A fast, flexible carry scheme for use in clustered field programmable gate array architectures is described. Each cluster has a cluster carry input node, a cluster carry output node, a cluster carry output circuit having an output coupled to the cluster carry output node, a first input coupled to the cluster carry input node, and a second input and a plurality of logic modules each comprising a logic function generator circuit coupled to a carry circuit. The logic modules are coupled in a series carry arrangement between the cluster carry input node and the second input of the cluster carry output circuit such that the least significant bit of an arithmetic logic circuit can be programmably placed in any of the logic modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: ACTEL CORPORATION
    Inventor: William C. Plants
  • Patent number: 7701250
    Abstract: A logic module and flip-flop includes input multiplexers having data inputs coupled to routing resources. A clock multiplexer has inputs coupled to clock resources, and an output. An input-select multiplexer has a first input coupled to the output of an input multiplexer. A flip-flop has a clock input coupled to the output of the clock multiplexer, and a data output coupled to an input of the input-select multiplexer. A logic module has data inputs coupled to the output of the input select multiplexers. A flip-flop multiplexer is coupled to the data input of the flip-flop, and has inputs input coupled to the output of the first input multiplexer, the data output of the logic module, and a third input coupled to routing resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Actel Corporation
    Inventor: Sinan Kaptanoglu