Patents by Inventor L. Todd Cope

L. Todd Cope has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6897679
    Abstract: A programmable logic array integrated circuit has a number of programmable logic modules which are grouped together in a plurality of logic array blocks (“LABs”). The LABs are arranged on the circuit in a two dimensional array. A conductor network is provided for interconnecting any logic module with any other logic module. In addition, adjacent or nearby logic modules are connectable to one another for such special purposes as providing a carry chain between logic modules and/or for connecting two or more modules together to provide more complex logic functions without having to make use of the general interconnection network. Another network of so-called fast or universal conductors is provided for distributing widely used logic signals such as clock and clear signals throughout the circuit. Multiplexers can be used in various ways to reduce the number of programmable interconnections required between signal conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Richard G. Cliff, L. Todd Cope, Cameron R. Mc Clintock, William Leong, James A. Watson, Joseph Huang, Bahram Ahanin
  • Patent number: 6815981
    Abstract: A programmable logic array integrated circuit device includes a plurality of regions of programmable logic disposed on the device in a two-dimensional array of intersecting rows and columns. Interconnection conductors are associated with each row and column. The interconnection conductors associated with each row include some that extend continuously along the entire length of the row and some that extend continuously along only the left or right half of the row. To increase the flexibility with which the logic regions can be connected to the row and column conductors, adjacent regions are paired and circuitry is provided for allowing the outputs of each pair to be swapped for driving the row and column conductors. Registers in logic regions can still be used for other purposes when not being used to register the main combinatorial outputs of the logic regions. Many other enhanced features are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Richard G. Cliff, Srinivas T. Reddy, David Edward Jefferson, Rina Raman, L. Todd Cope, Christopher F. Lane, Joseph Huang, Francis B. Heile, Bruce B. Pedersen, David Wolk Mendel, Craig Schilling Lytle, Robert Richard Noel Bielby, Kerry Veenstra
  • Publication number: 20040066212
    Abstract: A programmable logic array integrated circuit has a number of programmable logic modules which are grouped together in a plurality of logic array blocks (“LABs”). The LABs are arranged on the circuit in a two dimensional array. A conductor network is provided for interconnecting any logic module with any other logic module. In addition, adjacent or nearby logic modules are connectable to one another for such special purposes as providing a carry chain between logic modules and/or for connecting two or more modules together to provide more complex logic functions without having to make use of the general interconnection network. Another network of so-called fast or universal conductors is provided for distributing widely used logic signals such as clock and clear signals throughout the circuit. Multiplexers can be used in various ways to reduce the number of programmable interconnections required between signal conductors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Applicant: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Richard G. Cliff, L. Todd Cope, Cameron R. Mc Clintock, William Leong, James A. Watson, Joseph Huang, Bahram Ahanin
  • Patent number: 6657456
    Abstract: A programmable logic device or field programmable gate array includes an on-chip clock synchronization circuit to synchronize a reference or system clock signal. The clock synchronization circuit is a delay-locked loop (DLL) circuit in one implementation and a phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit in another implementation. The DLL or PLL circuits may be analog or digital. The clock synchronization circuit generates a synchronized clock signal that is distributed throughout the programmable integrated circuit. The synchronized clock signal is programmably connected to the programmable logic elements or logic array blocks (LABs) of the integrated circuit. The clock synchronization circuit reduces or minimizes clock skew when distributing a clock signal within the integrated circuit. The clock synchronization circuit improves the overall performance of the programmable logic integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: David E. Jefferson, L. Todd Cope, Srinivas Reddy, Richard G. Cliff
  • Publication number: 20030128051
    Abstract: A programmable logic array integrated circuit device includes a plurality of regions of programmable logic disposed on the device in a two-dimensional array of intersecting rows and columns. Interconnection conductors are associated with each row and column. The interconnection conductors associated with each row include some that extend continuously along the entire length of the row and some that extend continuously along only the left or right half of the row. To increase the flexibility with which the logic regions can be connected to the row and column conductors, adjacent regions are paired and circuitry is provided for allowing the outputs of each pair to be swapped for driving the row and column conductors. Registers in logic regions can still be used for other purposes when not being used to register the main combinatorial outputs of the logic regions. Many other enhanced features are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Richard G. Cliff, Srinivas T. Reddy, David Edward Jefferson, Rina Raman, L. Todd Cope, Christopher F. Lane, Joseph Huang, Francis B. Heile, Bruce B. Pedersen, David Wolk Mendel, Craig Schilling Lytle, Robert Richard Noel Bielby, Kerry Veenstra
  • Publication number: 20030016053
    Abstract: A programmable logic array integrated circuit device includes a plurality of regions of programmable logic disposed on the device in a two-dimensional array of intersecting rows and columns. Interconnection conductors are associated with each row and column. The interconnection conductors associated with each row include some that extend continuously along the entire length of the row and some that extend continuously along only the left or right half of the row. To increase the flexibility with which the logic regions can be connected to the row and column conductors, adjacent regions are paired and circuitry is provided for allowing the outputs of each pair to be swapped for driving the row and column conductors. Registers in logic regions can still be used for other purposes when not being used to register the main combinatorial outputs of the logic regions. Many other enhanced features are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventors: Richard G. Cliff, Srinivas T. Reddy, David Edward Jefferson, Rina Raman, L. Todd Cope, Christopher F. Lane, Joseph Huang, Francis B. Heile, Bruce B. Pedersen, David Wolk Mendel, Craig Schilling Lytle, Robert Richard Noel Bielby, Kerry Veenstra
  • Publication number: 20020130681
    Abstract: A programmable logic array integrated circuit has a number of programmable logic modules which are grouped together in a plurality of logic array blocks (“LABs”). The LABs are arranged on the circuit in a two dimensional array. A conductor network is provided for interconnecting any logic module with any other logic module. In addition, adjacent or nearby logic modules are connectable to one another for such special purposes as providing a carry chain between logic modules and/or for connecting two or more modules together to provide more complex logic functions without having to make use of the general interconnection network. Another network of so-called fast or universal conductors is provided for distributing widely used logic signals such as clock and clear signals throughout the circuit. Multiplexers can be used in various ways to reduce the number of programmable interconnections required between signal conductors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: Richard G. Cliff, L. Todd Cope, Cameron R. Mc Clintock, William Leong, James A. Watson, Joseph Huang, Bahram Ahanin
  • Patent number: 6392438
    Abstract: A programmable logic array integrated circuit device includes a plurality of regions of programmable logic disposed on the device in a two-dimensional array of intersecting rows and columns. Interconnection conductors are associated with each row and column. The interconnection conductors associated with each row include some that extend continuously along the entire length of the row and some that extend continuously along only the left or right half of the row. To increase the flexibility with which the logic regions can be connected to the row and column conductors, adjacent regions are paired and circuitry is provided for allowing the outputs of each pair to be swapped for driving the row and column conductors. Registers in logic regions can still be used for other purposes when not being used to register the main combinatorial outputs of the logic regions. Many other enhanced features are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Richard G. Cliff, Srinivas T. Reddy, David Edward Jefferson, Rina Raman, L. Todd Cope, Christopher F. Lane, Joseph Huang, Francis B. Heile, Bruce B. Pedersen, David Wolk Mendel, Craig Schilling Lytle, Robert Richard Noel Bielby, Kerry Veenstra
  • Patent number: 6292016
    Abstract: A programmable logic device or field programmable gate array includes an on-chip clock synchronization circuit to synchronize a reference or system clock signal. The clock synchronization circuit is a delay-locked loop (DLL) circuit in one implementation and a phase locked loop (PLL) circuit in another implementation. The DLL or PLL circuits may be analog or digital. The clock synchronization circuit generates a synchronized clock signal that is distributed throughout the programmable integrated circuit. The synchronized clock signal is programmably connected to the programmable logic elements or logic array blocks (LABs) of the integrated circuit. The clock synchronization circuit reduces or minimizes clock skew when distributing a clock signal within the integrated circuit. The clock synchronization circuit improves the overall performance of the programmable logic integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: David E. Jefferson, L. Todd Cope, Srinivas Reddy, Richard G. Cliff
  • Patent number: 6154055
    Abstract: A programmable logic array integrated circuit device includes a plurality of regions of programmable logic disposed on the device in a two-dimensional array of intersecting rows and columns. Interconnection conductors are associated with each row and column. The interconnection conductors associated with each row include some that extend continuously along the entire length of the row and some that extend continuously along only the left or right half of the row. To increase the flexibility with which the logic regions can be connected to the row and column conductors, adjacent regions are paired and circuitry is provided for allowing the outputs of each pair to be swapped for driving the row and column conductors. Registers in logic regions can still be used for other purposes when not being used to register the main combinatorial outputs of the logic regions. Many other enhanced features are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Richard G. Cliff, Srinivas T. Reddy, Rina Raman, L. Todd Cope, Joseph Huang, Bruce B. Pedersen
  • Patent number: 6134173
    Abstract: A programmable logic array integrated circuit has a number of programmable logic modules which are grouped together in a plurality of logic array blocks ("LABs"). The LABs are arranged on the circuit in a two dimensional array. A conductor network is provided for interconnecting any logic module with any other logic module. In addition, adjacent or nearby logic modules are connectable to one another for such special purposes as providing a carry chain between logic modules and/or for connecting two or more modules together to provide more complex logic functions without having to make use of the general interconnection network. Another network of so-called fast or universal conductors is provided for distributing widely used logic signals such as clock and clear signals throughout the circuit. Multiplexers can be used in various ways to reduce the number of programmable interconnections required between signal conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Richard G. Cliff, L. Todd Cope, Cameron R. McClintock, William Leong, James A. Watson, Joseph Huang, Bahram Ahanin
  • Patent number: 6130552
    Abstract: A programmable logic device or field programmable gate array includes an on-chip clock synchronization circuit to synchronize a reference or system clock signal. The clock synchronization circuit is a delay-locked loop (DLL) circuit in one implementation and a phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit in another implementation. The DLL or PLL circuits may be analog or digital. The clock synchronization circuit generates a synchronized clock signal that is distributed throughout the programmable integrated circuit. The synchronized clock signal is programmably connected to the programmable logic elements or logic array blocks (LABs) of the integrated circuit. The clock synchronization circuit reduces or minimizes clock skew when distributing a clock signal within the integrated circuit. The clock synchronization circuit improves the overall performance of the programmable logic integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: David E. Jefferson, L. Todd Cope, Srinivas Reddy, Richard G. Cliff
  • Patent number: 6128692
    Abstract: A programmable logic array integrated circuit device has a relatively large block of programmable memory cells in addition to the usual programmable logic modules and the usual programmable interconnection conductor network. In order to simplify the circuitry associated with the large block, and especially the circuitry for addressing that block during programming and/or verification of the device, the address decoder that is normally used to address the block during use of the device to perform logic is also used during programming and/or verification. During programming and/or verification a counter or other similar coded address signal generating circuitry is used to supply address information to the decoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Chiakang Sung, Wanli Chang, Joseph Huang, Richard G. Cliff, L. Todd Cope, William Leong, deceased, by Louis Leong, legal representative
  • Patent number: 6064599
    Abstract: A programmable logic array integrated circuit has a number of programmable logic modules which are grouped together in a plurality of logic array blocks ("LABs") The LABs are arranged on the circuit in a two dimensional array. A conductor network is provided for interconnecting any logic module with any other logic module. In addition, adjacent or nearby logic modules are connectable to one another for such special purposes as providing a carry chain between logic modules and/or for connecting two or more modules together to provide more complex logic functions without having to make use of the general interconnection network. Another network of so-called fast or universal conductors is provided for distributing widely used logic signals such as clock and clear signals throughout the circuit. Multiplexers can be used in various ways to reduce the number of programmable interconnections required between signal conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Richard G. Cliff, L. Todd Cope, Cameron R. Mc Clintock, William Leong, James A. Watson, Joseph Huang, Bahram Ahanin
  • Patent number: 6028808
    Abstract: A programmable logic array integrated circuit has a number of programmable logic modules which are grouped together in a plurality of logic array blocks ("LABs"). The LABs are arranged on the circuit in a two dimensional array. A conductor network is provided for interconnecting any logic module with any other logic module. In addition, adjacent or nearby logic modules are connectable to one another for such special purposes as providing a carry chain between logic modules and/or for connecting two or more modules together to provide more complex logic functions without having to make use of the general interconnection network. Another network of so-called fast or universal conductors is provided for distributing widely used logic signals such as clock and clear signals throughout the circuit. Multiplexers can be used in various ways to reduce the number of programmable interconnections required between signal conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Richard G. Cliff, L. Todd Cope, Cameron R. Mc Clintock, William Leong, James A. Watson, Joseph Huang, Bahram Ahanin
  • Patent number: 6023439
    Abstract: A programmable logic array integrated circuit has a number of programmable logic modules which are grouped together in a plurality of logic array blocks ("LABs"). The LABs are arranged on the circuit in a two dimensional array. A conductor network is provided for interconnecting any logic module with any other logic module. In addition, adjacent or nearby logic modules are connectable to one another for such special purposes as providing a carry chain between logic modules and/or for connecting two or more modules together to provide more complex logic functions without having to make use of the general interconnection network. Another network of so-called fast or universal conductors is provided for distributing widely used logic signals such as clock and clear signals throughout the circuit. Multiplexers can be used in various ways to reduce the number of programmable interconnections required between signal conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Richard G. Cliff, L. Todd Cope, Cameron R. McClintock, William Leong, James A. Watson, Joseph Huang, Bahram Ahanin
  • Patent number: 6018490
    Abstract: A programmable logic array integrated circuit has a number of programmable logic modules which are grouped together in a plurality of logic array blocks ("LABs"). The LABs are arranged on the circuit in a two dimensional array. A conductor network is provided for interconnecting any logic module with any other logic module. In addition, adjacent or nearby logic modules are connectable to one another for such special purposes as providing a carry chain between logic modules and/or for connecting two or more modules together to provide more complex logic functions without having to make use of the general interconnection network. Another network of so-called fast or universal conductors is provided for distributing widely used logic signals such as clock and clear signals throughout the circuit. Multiplexers can be used in various ways to reduce the number of programmable interconnections required between signal conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Richard G. Cliff, L. Todd Cope, Cameron R. Mc Clintock, William Leong, James A. Watson, Joseph Huang, Bahram Ahanin
  • Patent number: 5986470
    Abstract: A programmable logic array integrated circuit device includes a plurality of regions of programmable logic disposed on the device in a two-dimensional array of interesting rows and columns. Interconnection conductors are associated with each row and column. The interconnection conductors associated with each row include some that extend continuously along the entire length of the row and some that extend continuously along only the left or right half of the row. To increase the flexibility with which the logic regions can be connected to the row and column conductors, adjacent regions are paired and circuitry is provided for allowing the outputs of each pair to be swapped for driving the row and column conductors. Registers in logic regions can still be used for other purposes when not being used to register the main combinatorial outputs of the logic regions. Many other enhanced features are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Richard G. Cliff, Srinivas T. Reddy, Rina Raman, L. Todd Cope, Joseph Huang, Bruce B. Pedersen
  • Patent number: 5963069
    Abstract: A system (100) for distributing a clock signal to many points on an integrated circuit. The system includes using a delay lock loop with specific digital circuits to accomplish the phase error detection and delay element selection. In one embodiment, two flip-flops are used to detect a phase error. In another embodiment, both macro (202) and micro phase detectors (218) are used and the delay element selection is performed in two stages by using a shift register (210) in a first stage and a counter (220) in a second stage. Another feature of the present invention is, the ability to distribute the reference clock or a synchronized clock to different portions of the circuitry on an integrated circuit. Multiple clock distribution systems are provided which may be selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: David E. Jefferson, L. Todd Cope, Srinivas Reddy, Richard G. Cliff
  • Patent number: RE38651
    Abstract: A programmable variable depth and width random-access memory circuit is provided. The memory circuit contains rows and columns of memory cells for storing data. A row decoder is used to address individual rows of the memory cells. Column address circuitry receives a column address signal and a width and depth selection signal. A column decoder within the column address circuitry addresses one or more columns of memory cells of the RAM array based on the selected width of the array. The output of the column decoder is routed to the appropriate column or columns of memory cells by a pattern of fixed connections and a group of programmable multiplexers. The number of data output lines to which data signals are provided is determined by the selected width of the RAM array. The output circuitry contains a group of programmable demultiplexers and a routing array having a pattern of fixed connections suitable for passing data signals from the RAM array to the selected number of data output lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Chiakang Sung, Wanli Chang, Joseph Huang, Richard G. Cliff, L. Todd Cope, Cameron R. McClintock, William Leong, James A. Watson, Bahram Ahanin