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: 5926036
    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: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Richard G. Cliff, L. Todd Cope, Kerry Veenstra, Bruce B. Pedersen
  • Patent number: 5883850
    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: June 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Fung Fung Lee, Richard G. Cliff, L. Todd Cope, Cameron R. McClintock, William Leong, James A. Watson, Joseph Huang, Bahram Ahanin
  • Patent number: 5850152
    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: April 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Richard G. Cliff, Srinivas T. Reddy, David E. Jefferson, Rina Raman, L. Todd Cope, Christopher F. Lane, Joseph Huang, Francis B. Heile, Bruce B. Pedersen, David W. Mendel, Craig S. Lytle, Robert R. N. Bielby, Kerry Veenstra
  • Patent number: 5850151
    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: April 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Richard G. Cliff, Srinivas T. Reddy, David E. Jefferson, Rina Raman, L. Todd Cope, Christopher F. Lane, Joseph Huang, Francis B. Heile, Bruce B. Pedersen, David W. Mendel, Craig S. Lytle, Robert R. N. Bielby, Kerry Veenstra
  • Patent number: 5848005
    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: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Richard G. Cliff, L. Todd Cope, Cameron R. McClintock, William Leong, James A. Watson, Joseph Huang, Bahram Ahanin
  • Patent number: 5838628
    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: April 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    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: 5828229
    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 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Richard G. Cliff, L. Todd Cope, Cameron McClintock, William Leong, James Allen Watson, Joseph Huang, Bahram Ahanin, Chiakang Sung, Wanli Chang
  • Patent number: 5812479
    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: September 22, 1998
    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: 5764583
    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: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Richard G. Cliff, L. Todd Cope, Cameron R. McClintock, William Leong, James A. Watson, Joseph Huang, Bahram Ahanin
  • Patent number: 5744991
    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: October 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: David E. Jefferson, L. Todd Cope, Srinivas Reddy, Richard G. Cliff
  • Patent number: 5689195
    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: May 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Richard G. Cliff, Srinivas T. Reddy, Rina Raman, L. Todd Cope, Joseph Huang, Bruce B. Pedersen
  • Patent number: 5668771
    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 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Richard G. Cliff, L. Todd Cope, Cameron R. McClintock, William Leong, James A. Watson, Joseph Huang, Bahram Ahanin
  • Patent number: 5563592
    Abstract: A method of utilizing compression in programming programmable logic devices is disclosed. The present invention compresses the configuration file to be used in programming a programmable logic device. The compression step reduces the size of the configuration file. The reduction in the size of the compression file results in the reduction in the size of the memory device used to store the configuration file before it is used to program the programmable logic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Richard G. Cliff, L. Todd Cope
  • Patent number: 5550782
    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 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Richard G. Cliff, L. Todd Cope, Cameron R. McClintock, William Leong, James A. Watson, Joseph Huang, Bahram Ahanin
  • Patent number: 5481486
    Abstract: Look up tables for use in programmable logic devices are modified to facilitate use of those tables to provide adders (including subtracters) and various types of counters. Each look up table is effectively partitioned into smaller look up tables when an adder or counter is required. One portion of the partitioned table is used to provide a sum out signal, while the other portion of the partitioned table is used to provide a fast carry out signal for application to the next stage of the adder or counter. If desired, each logic module including such a look up table may further include logic circuitry for logically combining its normal output with the signal applied to its carry in input to facilitate the provision of wide fan in functions having more inputs than can be accepted by a single logic module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Richard G. Cliff, L. Todd Cope
  • Patent number: 5463328
    Abstract: A reprogrammable logic device and method of operation. The logic device is divided into a first hemisphere 101 and a second hemisphere 102. The first and second hemispheres of the arrays are internally connected by horizontal 20 and vertical 22 conductors. A global interconnect array 107 is placed between the hemispheres and is used to selectively connect the horizontal conductors of the hemispheres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: L. Todd Cope, James A. Watson
  • Patent number: 5274581
    Abstract: Look up tables for use in programmable logic devices are modified to facilitate use of those tables to provide adders (including subtracters) and various types of counters. Each look up table is effectively partitioned into smaller look up tables when an adder or counter is required. One portion of the partitioned table is used to provide a sum out signal, while the other portion of the partitioned table is used to provide a fast carry out signal for application to the next stage of the adder or counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Richard G. Cliff, L. Todd Cope, Kerry Veenstra, Bruce B. Pedersen
  • Patent number: RE35977
    Abstract: Look up tables for use in programmable logic devices are modified to facilitate use of those tables to provide adders (including subtracters) and various types of counters. Each look up table is effectively partitioned into smaller look up tables when an adder or counter is required. One portion of the partitioned table is used to provide a sum out signal, while the other portion of the partitioned table is used to provide a fast carry out signal for application to the next stage of the adder or counter. If desired, each logic module including such a look up table may further include logic circuitry for logically combining its normal output with the signal applied to its carry in input to facilitate the provision of wide fan in functions having more inputs than can be accepted by a single logic module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Richard G. Cliff, L. Todd Cope, Kerry Veenstra, Bruce B. Pedersen