Abstract: A highly efficient CMOS cell structure for use in a metal mask programmable gate array, such as a sea-of-gates type gate array, is disclosed herein. In a basic cell, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, three or more sizes of N-channel transistors and three or more sizes of P-channel transistors are used. The larger size transistors are incorporated in a drive section of a cell, while the smaller size transistors are incorporated in each compute section of a cell. The particular transistors in the compute and drive sections and the arrangements of the compute and drive sections provide a highly efficient use of silicon real estate while enabling the formation of a wide variety of macrocells to be formed.

Abstract: A logic module includes first and second multiplexers each having two data inputs and a select input. Both select inputs are connected to the output of a two-input logic gate of a first type. The inputs to the first and second multiplexers comprise data signals from a first group. One input of each logic gate comprises a data signal of a second group and the other input of each logic gate comprises a data signal of a third group. A third multiplexer has first and second data inputs connected the outputs of the first and second multiplexers, respectively, and a select input connected to the output of a two-input logic gate of a second type. Its output is connected to a first data input of a fourth multiplexer having a HOLD1 input coupled to its select input. Its output and a CLEAR input are presented to an AND gate whose output is connected to the second data input of the fourth multiplexer and to the first data input of a fifth multiplexer. The fifth multiplexer select input comprises a HOLD2 input.

Abstract: A user-configurable circuit architecture includes a two dimensional array of functional circuit modules disposed within a semiconductor substrate. A first interconnect layer disposed above and insulated from the semiconductor substrate contains a plurality of conductors and is used for internal connections within the functional circuit modules. A second interconnect layer disposed above and insulated from the first interconnect layer contains a plurality of segmented tracks of conductors running in a first direction and is used to interconnect functional circuit module inputs and outputs. A third interconnect layer disposed above and insulated from the second interconnect layer contains a plurality of segmented tracks of conductors running in a second direction, some of the segments of conductors forming intersections with ones of the segments of the conductors in the second interconnect layer, and is used to interconnect functional circuit module inputs and outputs to implement the desired applications.

Abstract: A user-programmable interconnect architecture, which may be used for logic arrays for digital and analog system design, is disclosed. In one embodiment, a plurality of logic cells or modules in a matrix are connected by vertical and horizontal wiring channels. The wiring channels may in turn be programmed by the user to interconnect the various logic cells to implement the required logic function. The wiring channels comprise wiring segments connected by normally open programmable elements situated at the intersection of any two segments to be connected.

Abstract: A user-programmable interconnect architecture, which may be used for logic arrays for digital and analog system design, is disclosed. In one embodiment, a plurality of logic cells or modules in a matrix are connected by vertical and horizontal wiring channels. The wiring channels may in turn be programmed by the user to interconnect the various logic cells to implement the required logic function. The wiring channels comprise wiring segments connected by normally open programmable elements situated at the intersection of any two segments to be connected.

Abstract: A user-configurable circuit architecture includes a two dimensional array of functional circuit modules disposed within a semiconductor substrate. A first interconnect layer disposed above and insulated from the semiconductor substrate contains a plurality of conductors and is used for internal connections within the functional circuit modules. A second interconnect layer disposed above and insulated from the first interconnect layer contains a plurality of segmented tracks of conductors running in a first direction and is used to interconnect functional circuit module inputs and outputs. A third interconnect layer disposed above and insulated from the second interconnect layer contains a plurality of segmented tracks of conductors running in a second direction, some of the segments of conductors forming intersections with ones of the segments of the conductors in the second interconnect layer, and is used to interconnect functional circuit module inputs and outputs to implement the desired applications.

Abstract: A segmented routing architecture includes three or more different interior segment lengths within all of the segmented tracks in a channel. Four or more different segment lengths of interior segments are present in a channel if the sole segment in each unsegmented track is considered, too. Two or more different segment lengths of interior segments exist within a single wiring track. Lengths of adjacent segments within a track are balanced with a ratio not exceeding about two. In any given channel, the average length of all the segments in each column is relatively low in the interior and increases substantially monotonically towards the ends of the channel.

Abstract: A logic module includes a first and a second two-input multiplexer each having first and second data inputs. Both the first and second multiplexer include a select input, both of which are connected to the output of a two-input logic gate of a first type having first and second data inputs. The inputs to the first and second two-input multiplexers are sourced with data signals from a first group. One input of each of the logic gates is sourced from a data signal of a second group and the other input of each of the logic gates is sourced from a data signal of a third group. A third two-input multiplexer has its first and second data inputs connected the outputs of the first and second multiplexers, respectively. A select input of the third two-input multiplexer is connected to the output of a two-input logic gate of a second type having first and second data inputs.

Abstract: A user-programmable interconnect architecture, which may be used for logic arrays for digital and analog system design, is disclosed. In one embodiment, a plurality of logic cells or modules in a matrix are connected by vertical and horizontal wiring channels. The wiring channels may in turn by programmed by the user to interconnect the various logic cells to implement the required logic function. The wiring channels comprise wiring segments connected by normally open reconfigurable programmable elements situated at the intersection of any two segments to be connected. Sensing circuitry and wiring may be included to allow 100% observability of internal circuit nodes, such as module outputs, from an external pad interface.

Abstract: A user-programmable interconnect architecture, which may be used for logic arrays for digital and analog system design, is disclosed. In one embodiment, a plurality of logic cells or modules in a matrix are connected by vertical and horizontal wiring channels. The wiring channels may in turn be programmed by the user to interconnect the various logic cells to implement the required logic function. The wiring channels comprise wiring segments connected by normally open programmable elements situated at the intersection of any two segments to be connected. Sensing circuitry and wiring may be included to allow 100% observability of internal circuit nodes, such as module outputs, from an external pad interface. A universal function module may be configured to implement the popular logic functions and has a physical layout which is conductive to custom circuit design.

Abstract: A user-programmable interconnect architecture, which may be used for logic arrays for digital and analog system design, is disclosed. In one embodiment, a plurality of logic cells or modules in a matrix are connected by vertical and horizontal wiring channels. The wiring channels may in turn be programmed by the user to interconnect the various logic cells to implement the required logic function. The wiring channels comprise wiring segements connected by normally open programmable elements situated at the intersection of any two segments to be connected. Sensing circuitry and wiring may be included to allow 100% observability of internal circuit nodes, such as module outputs, from an external pad interface. A universal function module may be configured to implement the popular logic functions and has a physical layout which is conducive to custom circuit design.

Abstract: A user-programmable interconnect architecture, which may be used for logic arrays for digital and analog system design, is disclosed. In one embodiment, a plurality of logic cells or modules in a matrix are connected by vertical and horizontal wiring channels. The wiring channels may in turn be programmed by the user to interconnect the various logic cells to implement the required logic function. The wiring channels comprise wiring segments connected by normally open programmable elements situated at the intersection of any two segments to be connected. Sensing circuitry and wiring may be included to allow 100% observability of internal circuit nodes, such as module outputs, from an external pad interface.