Abstract: A performance monitor is realized from programmable logic on the same integrated circuit as a processor. A user may use a programming and analysis tool to select a performance monitor soft core and to program it into the integrated circuit. The performance monitor is used to debug and/or monitor operation of the processor. After the debugging and/or performance monitoring, the portion of the programmable logic used to realize the performance monitor can be reconfigured and used to realize another portion of the user-specific circuit. Because the portion of the integrated circuit used to realize the performance monitor can be later used in the user-specific design, the cost of having to provide a no-longer-desired performance monitor in each integrated circuit used in the user's design is avoided. Because the performance monitor is realized from programmable logic, the performance monitor is more flexible than a conventional hardwired configurable performance monitor.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for facilitating signal routing within a programmable logic device having routing resources is described. In an example, the routing resources are formed into groups where, for each of the groups, the routing resources are of a same type. Pairs of the groups are related by an association of at least one routing resource in one group of a pair of groups capable of being electrically connected to at least one other routing resource in another group of the pair of groups.

Abstract: Testing signal propagation delay of a shift register circuit is described. A ring oscillator has a first sequential element, a second sequential element, and a shift register circuit. The shift register circuit is coupled in series between the first sequential element and the second sequential element. The shift register circuit includes the at least one shift register and combinational logic coupled to the at least one shift register. The at least one shift register is configured to store a test data pattern of alternating logic ones and zeros. The combinational logic is coupled to receive a data signal from the first sequential element of the ring oscillator and coupled to receive a shift output signal from the at least one shift register. The combinational logic is configured to provide an exclusive logic function.

Abstract: First and second clock signals are provided to first and second sequential circuits, where the first and second clock signals are inversely coupled to logic high and low levels for clocking of the first and second sequential circuits. A third sequential circuit is clocked responsive to a first output from the first sequential circuit and receives first signature data. A fourth sequential circuit is clocked responsive to a second output from the second sequential circuit and receives second signature data. A third output from the third sequential circuit is monitored responsive to the first signature data and the first output. A fourth output from the fourth sequential circuit is monitored responsive to the second signature data and the second output. Whether the first clock signal and the second clock signal are phase aligned may be determined responsive to the third output and the fourth output.

Abstract: Method and system for a programmable device programmer. The disclosure describes various embodiments for programming a target programmable device by a programmer. In one embodiment, the programmer determines availability of updated configuration data for a hardware component of the programmer. The programmer includes the software component coupled to the hardware component. An update mode of the hardware component is enabled in response to availability of the updated configuration data, and programming of the target programmable device is disabled while the hardware component is in the update mode. A programmable device internal to the hardware component is programmed with the updated configuration data while the hardware component is in the update mode, and the update mode is disabled in response to completion of programming of the at least one programmable device. A target programmable device may then be programmed by the programmer having the updated configuration data.

Abstract: Automatic antenna diode insertion for integrated circuits is described. In an example, at least a portion of an integrated circuit is defined by a block of standard cells selected from a cell library. A diode circuit is associated with at least one input port of the block of standard cells to form an augmented block. The augmented block is then implemented on a chip to form the integrated circuit. In another example, an integrated circuit is formed by associating a diode circuit with each primary input port of an embedded logic circuit that defines a portion of the integrated circuit. A remaining portion of the integrated circuit is defined by existing logic circuitry. Components of the embedded logic circuit are placed on a chip and conductors are routed connecting the components. The embedded logic circuit is then integrated with the existing circuitry onto the chip.

Abstract: A Built-in Self Test (BIST) system is provided in a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) that can adjust test signal patterns provided for testing after partial reconfiguration of the FPGA. The BIST system includes a decoder that monitors I/O signals and provides an output indicating when I/O signals change indicating partial reconfiguration has occurred. The decoder output is provided to a BIST test signal generator providing signals to an IP core of the FPGA as well as a BIST comparator for monitoring test results to change test signals depending on the partial configuration mode.

Abstract: A cost efficient nonvolatile memory cell may include an inverter, an access gate coupled to the inverter for controlling access to the memory cell, and a control gate. The inverter may include a floating gate at an input of the inverter, the floating gate formed in a first polysilicon layer, and a tunnel window formed in a tunnel oxide area, wherein the tunnel oxide area is covered by at least a portion of the floating gate. The control gate may control charge on the floating gate, and may be formed in a second polysilicon layer, wherein the second polysilicon layer is above the first polysilicon layer.

Abstract: An event queue for use with a software-enabled logic simulation tool can include a heap array and a hash table data structure. The heap array can include time slots organized such that each time slot conforms to heap properties which specify, at least in part, that a root node of the array indicates a time slot having a minimum simulation time value. The hash table data structure can include a plurality of entries, wherein selected ones of the entries specify references to at least one of the time slots.

Abstract: Testing of a system-on-a-chip having a programmable section and a plurality of high-speed interfaces begins by configuring the programmable section to support a 1st level testing of the plurality of high-speed interfaces. The testing continues by testing one of the plurality of high-speed interfaces at the 1st level of testing via the programmable section. The testing continues by evaluating the tested performance characteristics in accordance with the prescribed performance characteristics of the standard to determine whether the one of the plurality of high-speed interfaces conforms with the standard requirements. When the one of the plurality of high-speed interfaces conforms with the standard requirements, the plurality of high-speed interfaces are configured for a 2nd level testing, where the 1st level testing is more stringent than the 2nd level testing. The testing continues by testing, at the 2nd level, remaining ones of the plurality of high-speed interfaces.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing a scheduler select multiplexer is described. In one example, a multiplexer is provided having a plurality of input ports in respective communication with a plurality of queues, an output port, and a select port. A scheduler is provided to execute a scheduling algorithm to periodically generate a schedule comprising a set of entries. Each of the entries comprises at least one bit for controlling the select port of the multiplexer. A memory is provided to store the schedule. For each of a plurality of clock cycles, the select port of the multiplexer is driven with one of the entries such that the multiplexer sends data from one of the plurality of queues to the output port.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for communication within an integrated circuit is described. In one example, an integrated circuit includes a first logic circuit, a second logic circuit, first first-in-first-out (FIFO) logic, second FIFO logic, and an interconnection network. Each of the first FIFO logic and the second FIFO logic is configured for asynchronous serial communication over the interconnection network. Each of the first FIFO logic and the second FIFO logic is further configured to respectively communicate with each of the first logic circuit and the second logic circuit in respective synchronous time domains.

Abstract: A programmable device having a multi-boot capability is described. The programmable device may initially load first configuration data for configuring programmable resources of the device. Thereafter, a multi-boot operation may be triggered, causing the device to reconfigure and load second configuration data. Prior to loading the second configuration data, the device may store status information. In some cases, further multi-boot operations may be triggered for loading other configuration data.

Abstract: A nonvolatile EEPROM cell having a double poly arrangement provides stored data without sense amplifiers, thereby reducing power requirements. The EEPROM cell has a floating gate in a first poly layer, and a control gate overlapping the floating gate in a second poly layer. This configuration allows for an area-efficient layout that is easily shrinkable as compared to prior art memory cells. In addition, stacking the control and floating gates results in higher capacitive coupling. The EEPROM cell also includes an access gate, a tunnel capacitor, and at least one inverter. In some embodiments, the EEPROM cell can be advantageously used to configure programmable logic without need for a conloading step.

Abstract: Structures and methods of adding metal-to-metal capacitors to static memory cells to reduce susceptibility to SEUs. The addition of metal-to-metal capacitors is particularly suited to programmable logic devices (PLDs), because of the relatively large area required to implement an effective metal-to-metal capacitor, compared (for example) to the size of the static memory cell itself. The configuration memory cells of PLDs are typically placed next to other logic (e.g., the configurable elements controlled by the configuration memory cells) that can be overlain by the metal-to-metal capacitors. Therefore, metal-to-metal capacitors can be used in PLD configuration memory cells where they might be impractical in simple memory arrays. However, metal-to-metal capacitors can also be applied to integrated circuits other than PLDs.

Abstract: A method of testing a programmable logic device (PLD) can include distinguishing between stages within the design that uniquely test a routing resource and stages that do not. The method also can include un-routing at least a portion of the design corresponding to one or more of the stages that do not uniquely test a routing resource. The stage(s) can be excluded from the design. The portion of the design that was un-routed can be re-routed by passing those stages that do not uniquely test a routing resource.

Abstract: A novel method for order processing, manufacturing and distributing integrated circuits (ICs) including the steps of: dry packing a plurality of programmable ICs and placing the dry packed programmable ICs into inventory such that the inventory is re-accessible in an automated manner. A plurality of configuration programs are stored and in response to orders from customers, a subset of the inventoried ICs are unpacked in order to process the order. The process then includes the steps of programming the unpacked ICs with a configuration selected by the customer and re-packing the programmed ICs for shipment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to reduce the probability of programmable logic device (PLD) failure due to single event upset (SEU) of configuration memory. A first portion of configuration memory cells are initially programmed with configuration data, leaving a second portion of configuration memory cells that are un-programmed. The programmed and un-programmed configuration memory cells are grouped into voting groups, where each un-programmed configuration memory cell of each voting group is programmed with the identical configuration data as contained within the originally programmed configuration memory cell of each voting group. The logic values of each configuration memory cell of each voting group are monitored by voting circuits, which enforce a triple modular redundancy (TMR) validation policy. The logical validation results are then applied to control points to mitigate PLD configuration memory errors caused by anomalous events such as neutron induced SEUs.

Abstract: An integrated circuit programmable multiplexer that reduces sub-threshold leakage current in deep sub-micron technology. The multiplexer uses a plurality of transistor stages, wherein each transistor of a subsequent stage is connected to at least two transistors of a prior stage, such that each transistor is in series with at least one other transistor. Transistors that are not part of the signal path through the multiplexer are deactivated, wherein a series of two or more deactivated transistors have significantly less sub-threshold leakage current than a single deactivated transistor. Configuration memory cells that store and communicate control signals to the multiplexer transistors are also connected to a low-voltage power supply when the multiplexer is not in use to reduce leakage current through the memory cells.

Abstract: A method of input/output (I/O) assignment for a circuit design for a programmable logic device (PLD) can include determining I/O types for I/O objects specified by the circuit design, defining a plurality of virtual I/O bank-groups, wherein each virtual I/O bank-group includes at least one virtual I/O bank, and binding I/O objects of the circuit design into I/O groups according to the I/O types. A binary compatibility matrix can be created. The binary compatibility matrix can indicate the compatibility between the virtual I/O bank-groups and the I/O groups based upon the I/O types of I/O objects within each I/O group. A determination can be made as to whether a feasible solution exists for I/O assignment of the I/O objects of the circuit design according to a plurality of constraints and the binary compatibility matrix.