Abstract: A method of verifying configuration data to be loaded into a device having programmable logic is described. The method comprising the steps of validating a configuration bitstream to be loaded into the device having programmable logic; storing a validation indicator with the configuration bitstream in a non-volatile memory device; and configuring the programmable logic according to the configuration bitstream if the validation indicator indicates that valid data is stored in the non-volatile memory device. A system for verifying configuration data to be loaded into a device having programmable logic is also described.

Abstract: Integrated circuits (ICs) having pipelined unidirectional programmable interconnect structures are provided. Substantially similar logic blocks in an IC each include at least one storage element driving an output of the logic block. The IC also includes programmable routing structures, each of which includes at least one storage element unidirectionally driving an output of the routing structure without traversing any pass gates. Each routing structure has at least one unidirectional output that drives another of the routing structures or one of the logic blocks. Each logic block has at least one output that drives an input of a programmable routing structure. The logic blocks and the programmable routing structures may be interconnected by unidirectional data lines organized as multi-bit busses coupled to multi-bit ports of the logic blocks and routing structures. Each routing structure may include a handshake circuit coupled to control all bits in one of the multi-bit busses.

Abstract: A clock distribution network having: a backbone clock signal line configured to provide a differential clock signal; multiple branches coupled to the backbone clock signal line for distributing the differential clock signal to multiple programmable function elements; a first leaf node coupled to a first branch, where the first leaf node is configured to provide the differential clock signal to a first programmable function element; and a second leaf node coupled to a second branch, where the second leaf node is configured to provide a single ended clock signal derived from the differential clock signal to a second programmable function element.

Abstract: A media access controller system embedded in an integrated circuit is described. A platform dependent bridge for communicating with a first processor, where the platform dependent bridge is associated with a platform of the first processor and where the first processor is embedded in an integrated circuit. Host interface circuitry is coupled to the platform dependent bridge and is configured to provide a processor interface, where the processor interface is for communicating with the first processor via the platform dependent bridge and where the processor interface has a platform independent bus for communication with a second processor. At least one media access controller is coupled to the host interface circuitry.

Abstract: An IC uses a tunable interconnect driver between a data source and a data destination to selectively slow down (“de-tune”) data signals. Data sent along relatively short paths are de-tuned to reduce power supply noise during synchronous switching events. In some embodiments, the tunable interconnect driver delays data transmission relative to an un-delayed signal path, in other embodiments, the slew rate of the tunable interconnect driver is selectively reduced.

Abstract: A method and system for maintaining the security of design information is disclosed. The method includes generating an encrypted IP core by encrypting an IP core using a public key, downloading the encrypted IP core to a programmable logic device (PLD), and recovering the IP core by decrypting the encrypted IP core using a private key. The private key is associated with the PLD, and the public key and the private key correspond to one another. The method may further include the PLD receiving authorization information corresponding to the IP core and comparing local authorization information stored at the PLD with the authorization information.

Abstract: A method and system for generating implementation files from a high level specification are described. In one example, a method for creating a package file for an integrated circuit is described. First, a grid is formed having a plurality of blocks. A height and a width are then determined for each block. At least one bump is placed on a block and a corresponding package pin is assigned to the at least one bump. Finally, the package file is output.

Abstract: Systems and methods of performing co-simulation of a partitioned circuit design using multiple programmable logic devices (PLDs) coupled together to form a boundary scan chain. A host computer is coupled to the scan chain via a programming cable. Resident on the host computer are run-time co-simulation blocks corresponding to blocks from the circuit design, where each block is designated to run on one of the PLDs in the scan chain; a programming cable device driver interfacing with the programming cable; and a proxy component. The proxy component is coupled to all of the run-time co-simulation blocks and the programming cable device driver. Each co-simulation block includes a unique pattern identifier, which is also present in the associated PLD. Using this pattern identifier, data and commands targeted to a specific PLD can be extracted from the scan chain, while ignoring data and commands targeted to other PLDs in the scan chain.

Abstract: An exemplary circuit for implementing logic sharing in self-timed circuits includes a shared logic circuit, an input circuit, an output circuit, and a pipelined routing path. The shared logic circuit has first and second self-timed inputs and first and second self-timed outputs. The input circuit is coupled to output a selected one of the first or second self-timed inputs to the shared logic circuit, the selected one of the first or second inputs being determined by an arbitration circuit within the input circuit, and further to output a self-timed select signal. The output circuit is coupled to receive the first and second self-timed outputs from the shared logic circuit and to provide a selected one of the first or second outputs, the selected output being determined by the self-timed select signal. The pipelined routing path routes the self-timed enable signal from the input circuit to the output circuit.

Abstract: A memory has first and second storage cells, each with a floating node, that store complementary data values. Interlaced inverters quickly sense a voltage difference between the storage cells and provide a data value output when the memory is read. Each floating node includes a tunneling gate of a tunneling transistor, a gate of a bitline transistor, and a plate of a coupling capacitor.

Abstract: Integrated circuits having a compute-centric architecture. An integrated circuit may include an array of interconnected substantially similar logic blocks, each including a multiplier circuit and a lookup table circuit. The multiplier circuit has first and second inputs coupled to first and second data inputs of the logic block, and an output, and may include a non-uniform array of sub-circuits. The lookup table circuit has a first input coupled to a third data input of the logic block, a second input coupled to the output of the multiplier circuit, and an output coupled to a data output of the logic block. The multiplier circuits in adjacent logic blocks may be coupled together via a multi-bit partial product bus. Optional storage elements store the first and second inputs and the output of the multiplier circuit, the partial product bus, and the output of the lookup table circuit.

Abstract: An integrated circuit system (120) includes a memory array (122) storing a configuration data set to configure an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit (121) includes a configuration memory (128) and a configuration controller state machine (126). The configuration controller state machine operates so as to read a read-check signature at a read-check address of the memory array (122) and to compare the read-check signature with a standard signature stored in the integrated circuit (121). If the read-check signature passes the comparison, the configuration controller state machine (126) loads the configuration data set from the memory array to the configuration memory (128) of the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A programmable integrated circuit includes a plurality of interconnected logic blocks, each including a logic circuit and an output multiplexer circuit. The output multiplexer circuit includes a first multiplexer having first and second data inputs respectively coupled to first and second outputs of the logic circuit, a select input coupled to an output of another logic block, and a first data output. A second output multiplexer may also have first and second data inputs respectively coupled to the first and second outputs of the logic circuit, a select input coupled to the output of the another logic block, and a second data output. The output multiplexer circuit is programmably coupled, in one of a plurality of operating modes, to provide an output token with the first output of each logic block only when the output multiplexer circuit of the logic block receives tokens indicating valid new data on each of the first, second, and select inputs of the circuit.

Abstract: A cascading input structure for logic blocks in an integrated circuit. An exemplary integrated circuit includes a plurality of substantially similar logic blocks arrayed to form a column of the logic blocks, and a self-timed vertical cascade chain. Each of the logic blocks has self-timed first and second inputs. The vertical cascade chain has a plurality of self-timed outputs, each of the self-timed outputs being coupled to a first self-timed input of a corresponding logic block in the column. In some embodiments, each logic block includes a multiply block having first and second self-timed inputs, where each output of the vertical cascade chain is coupled to the first input of the multiply block in the corresponding logic block. In some embodiments having a multiply block in the logic block, the inputs and output may not be self-timed.

Abstract: A static random access memory (SRAM) can include an array of memory cells, wherein each memory cell is coupled to one of a plurality of sense amplifiers through a bitline. The SRAM also can include replica bitline circuitry including a replica bitline coupled to a replica bitline amplifier. The replica bitline amplifier can provide a strobe signal to the plurality of sense amplifiers, wherein the replica bitline amplifier includes a feedback path. An SRAM also may include a write replica circuit generating a signal when data has been written to the write replica circuit. A wordline of the memory array can be turned off responsive to the signal.

Abstract: A bus-based logic block in a self-timed integrated circuit includes N first input multiplexers, N second input multiplexers, and N lookup tables, N being greater than one. The select inputs of all N first input multiplexers are coupled together, and the select inputs of all N second input multiplexers are coupled together. A corresponding data input of each first input multiplexer is one bit of a first self-timed N-bit bus, and a corresponding data input of each second multiplexer is one bit of a second self-timed N-bit bus. Each lookup table has first and second inputs coupled to the outputs of the first and second input multiplexers. Corresponding control inputs of all N lookup tables are coupled together. Thus, all operations are performed on one or more N-bit self-timed busses, rather than on individual data signals.

Abstract: Decryptor is utilized in a dual role to maintain privacy of data decryption keys used in configuration bitstream decryption. In a first role, decryptor receives a data decryption key in an encrypted format (ENCRYPTED KEY DATA), which is then decrypted using a mask programmed decryption key. The decrypted key is then stored into one or more of key storage blocks. In a second role, decryptor is utilized to decrypt the encrypted configuration bitstream (ENCRYPTED CONFIGURATION DATA) using the previously decrypted data decryption key.

Abstract: A distributed buffering system includes at least one input buffer, at least one serializing module, a at least one deserializing module, at least one output buffer, and a programmable logic device. The input buffer is operably coupled to store at least one data block of incoming data. The serializing module serializes the data block as it is retrieved from the input buffer to produce a serial stream of data. The programmable logic device receives the serial stream of data and distributes it to one or more of the at least one deserializing modules. The at least one deserializing module converts the serial stream back into the data block. The recaptured data block is then provided to the corresponding output buffer, which stores the recaptured data.

Abstract: Circuits for fanning out data in a self-timed integrated circuit. An exemplary integrated circuit includes a plurality of interconnected logic blocks, each including a logic circuit and an output circuit. The output circuit has a first data input coupled to a first output of the logic circuit, a second data input coupled to a second output of the logic circuit, and a data output coupled to a first output of the logic block. The data output reflects a value on the first data input. The output circuit is programmably coupled, in one of a plurality of operating modes, to provide an output token only when the first data input is accompanied by a first token indicating valid new data on the first data input. The output circuit is further programmably coupled to consume, when the output token is provided, both the first token and a second token accompanying the second data input.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a device including a first storage element and a first clock gating element, wherein a data input of the first storage element is coupled to an output of a combinatorial logic (CL) element, wherein the first storage element is clock-gated with the first clock gating element using a first clock enable signal to generate a clock signal for the first storage element, wherein the first clock enable signal is generated to suppress the clock signal in the first clock gating element when each of the at least one data input of the CL element is in a second quiescence inducing condition with respect to the clock signal at the same time as when each of the at least one control input of the CL element is in the first quiescence inducing condition.