Abstract: A programmable logic system includes a reconfigurable programmable logic device and configuration storage that stores at least two configurations. A default configuration loads first and then loads the desired user application configuration. If the user application configuration fails, the system saves data regarding the failure and then returns to the default configuration for recovery. The default configuration, after reading the failure data, causes an operator to be called to intervene, or loads a different (e.g., previous) configuration if one is available in configuration storage. The system is particularly useful where the user can update configurations remotely. In an alternative mode, the system stores only the user configuration (which is loaded first) and the default configuration. If a newly-loaded configuration fails, the default configuration is loaded and signals the operator or takes other action short of loading a different configuration.

Abstract: A reconfigurable device loads I/O configuration information from a diagnostic interface during testing. The device includes a configurable I/O connection for communicating values with other devices. A diagnostic interface communicates the value of the I/O connection to a tester. A diagnostic controller in the device has a first mode for communicating the value on the I/O connection to the tester via the diagnostic interface, and a second mode for receiving an I/O configuration attribute value for the I/O connection from the diagnostic interface thereby modifying the configuration of the I/O connection. The device also includes a configuration controller that retrieves device configuration information from a configuration device in response to a signal. The signal can originate from an external source or from the diagnostic controller in response to a configuration instruction received via the diagnostic interface. The diagnostic interface may be a JTAG interface.

Abstract: An electronic device comprises a first plurality of configuration elements connected as a shift register for programming a subset of the programmable functions of the electronic device. The subset of programmable functions may be reprogrammed by loading configuration data into the first plurality of configuration elements such that the subset of programmable functions may be reprogrammed without necessarily reprogramming other programmable functions of the electronic device.

Abstract: A programmable logic system includes a reconfigurable programmable logic device and configuration storage that stores at least two configurations. A default configuration loads first and then loads the desired user application configuration. If the user application configuration fails, the system saves data regarding the failure and then returns to the default configuration for recovery. The default configuration, after reading the failure data, causes an operator to be called to intervene, or loads a different (e.g., previous) configuration if one is available in configuration storage. The system is particularly useful where the user can update configurations remotely. In an alternative mode, the system stores only the user configuration (which is loaded first) and the default configuration. If a newly-loaded configuration fails, the default configuration is loaded and signals the operator or takes other action short of loading a different configuration.

Abstract: An electronic device comprises a first plurality of configuration elements connected as a shift register for programming a subset of the programmable functions of the electronic device. The subset of programmable functions may be reprogrammed by loading configuration data into the first plurality of configuration elements such that the subset of programmable functions may be reprogrammed without necessarily reprogramming other programmable functions of the electronic device.

Abstract: A programmable logic device is provided in which logic array blocks (LABs) may be programmably configured for use as one of a variety of memory structures. The configurable memory structures may have separate read and write addresses, thereby making it possible to implement a variety of memory structures such as FIFO memory, ROM, RAM, and shift-registers.