Abstract: There is provided a memory unit comprising one or more global bit lines connected to a sense amplifier, and a plurality of memory cells that are grouped into a plurality of memory cell groups, each memory cell group having one or more local bit lines operatively connected to each of the memory cells in the memory cell group. Each memory cell group is configured such that, when a memory cell of the memory cell group is being read, the one or more local bit lines of the memory cell group are provided as inputs to a logic circuit and are not connected to the global bit lines, the logic circuit being configured to cause a capacitance element to be connected to one of the one or more global bit lines in dependence upon the states of the one or more local bit lines of the memory cell group.

Abstract: There is provided a memory unit comprising one or more global bit lines connected to a sense amplifier, and a plurality of memory cells that are grouped into a plurality of memory cell groups, each memory cell group having one or more local bit lines operatively connected to each of the memory cells in the memory cell group. Each memory cell group is configured such that, when a memory cell of the memory cell group is being read, the one or more local bit lines of the memory cell group are provided as inputs to a logic circuit and are not connected to the global bit lines, the logic circuit being configured to cause a capacitance element to be connected to one of the one or more global bit lines in dependence upon the states of the one or more local bit lines of the memory cell group.

Abstract: A combinatorial processing element used in a reconfigurable logic device having a plurality of processing elements interconnected by way of a routing network. The combinatorial processing element includes an arithmetic logic unit, having at least one input, a multiplexer tree, having a data input and a memory device. The processing element is arranged such that the memory can be connected to the data input of the multiplexer tree and/or the at least one input of the arithmetic logic unit.

Abstract: A tree-like signal distribution network comprises a plurality of branches extending from a plurality of branching points. The distribution network comprises a plurality of control blocks, each control block being situated at a branching point of the tree-like distribution network, wherein each of the plurality of control blocks is arranged such that it can distribute a signal received from the tree-like distribution network, a locally generated signal, and a combination of a signal received from the tree-like distribution network and a locally generated signal.

Abstract: A functional logic block for embedding into a reconfigurable array, the functional logic block comprises at least one multi-bit register including a plurality of single-bit registers, the single-bit registers being divided into at least two groups. The functional logic block also comprises a shift chain for connecting each group of single-bit registers, each shift chain being arranged to connect its respective group of single-bit registers into a configuration and test chain.

Abstract: A programming interface device for a programmable logic circuit comprises a series of parallel logic block chains each having first and second connection means, the first and second connection means being disposed at opposite ends of each chain. The programming interface device comprises first and second interfacing means for interfacing with the first and second connection means of each logic block chain, respectively and at least one programming circuit, each programming circuit arranged to configure a plurality of serially connected logic blocks. Finally, the programming interface comprises programmable connection means for connecting the connection means of each logic block chain to either the connection means of another logic block chain or directly to one of the at least one programming circuits, such that the parallel logic block chains can be configured in parallel, series or in any combination thereof.

Abstract: A programmable logic device is described, comprising a uniform routing network, an array of user programmable tiles connected to the uniform routing network and at least one functional block arranged to span at least one tile and further arranged to be connected to the uniform routing network.

Abstract: A method of configuring application-specific functional blocks embedded in a user programmable fabric, the user programmable fabric comprising configuration data control means having an input and an output and the application-specific functional blocks comprising configuration memory means having an input and an output. The method comprises the steps of sending configuration data to configure the application-specific functional block to the configuration control means of the user programmable fabric, routing the output of the configuration data control means of the user programmable fabric to the input of the configuration memory means of the application-specific functional blocks, transferring the configuration data to the configuration memory means of the application-specific functional blocks and configuring, using the configuration data, the application-specific functional blocks.

Abstract: A reconfigurable logic device comprises an array of tiles interconnected through a routing network, each tile comprises both a processing unit including volatile configuration memory and a Random Access Memory unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing an application-specific functional block embedded in a user programmable fabric, the user programmable fabric comprising configuration data control means having an inputs and an outputs and the application-specific functional block having inputs and an outputs.

Abstract: A programming interface device for a programmable logic circuit, the programmable logic circuit comprising a series of parallel logic block chains each having first and second connection means, the first and second connection means being disposed at opposite ends of each chain. The programming interface device comprising first and second interfacing means for interfacing with the first and second connection means of each logic block chain, respectively and at least one programming circuit, each programming circuit arranged to configure a plurality of serially connected logic blocks. Finally, the programming interface comprises programmable connection means for connecting the connection means of each logic block chain to either the connection means of another logic block chain or directly to one of the at least one programming circuits, such that the parallel logic block chains can be configured in parallel, series or in any combination thereof.

Abstract: Memory blocks, such as the embedded memory blocks in a reconfigurable device, are connected together using shared global busses and interface circuits. The interface circuits allow the memory blocks to be selectively connected together to form depth and width expanded memory blocks, and also allow the blocks to be used as standalone blocks. The interface circuits connect the memory array within a memory block to any desired memory input and output lines that are linked on the same shared global busses, to allow use of any convenient input and output lines to access the expanded memory block. A shared global address bus allows memory blocks to broadcast address information to each other, and allows unused address inputs to be re-used for broadcasting information such as block selection information or shared column information. Flexible and configurable depth and width-expanded memory blocks are thereby created.

Abstract: A method of modifying a group of full adder circuits to compute a Boolean function of a set number of input bits, each full adder circuit having first and second data inputs, a data output, a carry input and a carry output, the full adder circuits being interconnected so as to form a carry chain. The method comprises the steps of setting the first input of each full adder circuit to a same fixed value, connecting each respective input bit of the set number of input bits to the second input of a respective one of the full adder circuits and using the output of the carry chain of the array of full adder circuits as the result of the Boolean function.

Abstract: A method of configuring application-specific functional blocks embedded in a user programmable fabric, the user programmable fabric comprising configuration data control means having an input and an output and the application-specific functional blocks comprising configuration memory means having an input and an output. The method comprises the steps of sending configuration data to configure the application-specific functional block to the configuration control means of the user programmable fabric, routing the output of the configuration data control means of the user programmable fabric to the input of the configuration memory means of the application-specific functional blocks, transferring the configuration data to the configuration memory means of the application-specific functional blocks and configuring, using the configuration data, the application-specific functional blocks.

Abstract: Leakage currents across circuit components such as transistors are avoided by placing circuits into a low-leakage standby mode. The circuits are configured such that voltage differentials across leakage-prone circuit components are avoided when in standby mode. Various means are used to configure the circuits, such as configuration ports, data input lines, scan chains, etc. In embodiments containing reconfigurable devices, low-threshold transistors are used to implement the routing network.

Abstract: A heterogeneous array includes clusters of processing elements. The clusters include a combination of ALUs and multiplexers linked by direct connections and various general-purpose routing networks. The multiplexers are controlled by the ALUs in the same cluster, or alternatively by ALUs in other clusters, via a special purpose routing network. Components of applications configured onto the array are selectively implemented in either multiplexers or ALUs, as determined by the relative efficiency of implementing the component in one or the other type of processing element, and by the relative availability of the processing element types. Multiplexer control signals are generated from combinations of ALU status signals, and optionally routed to control multiplexers in different clusters.

Abstract: Leakage currents across circuit components such as transistors are avoided by placing circuits into a low-leakage standby mode. The circuits are configured such that voltage differentials across leakage-prone circuit components are avoided when in standby mode. Various means are used to configure the circuits, such as configuration ports, data input lines, scan chains, etc. In embodiments containing reconfigurable devices, low-threshold transistors are used to implement the routing network.

Abstract: Leakage currents across circuit components such as transistors are avoided by placing circuits into a low-leakage standby mode. The circuits are configured such that voltage differentials across leakage-prone circuit components are avoided when in standby mode. Various means are used to configure the circuits, such as configuration ports, data input lines, scan chains, etc. In embodiments containing reconfigurable devices, low-threshold transistors are used to implement the routing network.

Abstract: A circuit is provided to provide instruction streams to a processing device: embodiments of the circuit are appropriate for use with RISC CPUs, whereas other embodiments are useable with other processing devices, such as small processing devices used in a field programmable array. The circuit receives an external instruction stream which provides a first set of instruction values, and has a memory which contains a second set of instruction values. Two or more outputs provide instruction streams to the processing device. The circuit has a control input in the form of a mask which causes a selection means to allocate bits from the first and second sets of instruction values to different instruction streams to the processing device.

Abstract: A circuit is provided to provide instruction streams to a processing device: embodiments of the circuit are appropriate for use with RISC CPUs, whereas other embodiments are useable with other processing devices, such as small processing devices used in a field programmable array. The circuit receives an external instruction stream which provides a first set of instruction values, and has a memory which contains a second set of instruction values. Two or more outputs provide instruction streams to the processing device. The circuit has a control input in the form of a mask which causes a selection means to allocate bits from the first and second sets of instruction values to different instruction streams to the processing device.