Patents by Inventor Mark Bourgeault

Mark Bourgeault 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: 9584129
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and deploying integrated circuit (IC) applications are provided. Partial reconfiguration functionality of an IC may be used to build reconfigurable application platforms that enable application execution on the IC. These apps may include partial reconfiguration bitstreams that allow ease of access to programming without cumbersome compilation via a set of complex tools. The apps may be acquired via a purchasing website or other mechanism, where the bitstreams may be downloaded to the IC, thus increasing usability of the IC as well providing addition revenue streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua Walstrom, Mark Bourgeault
  • Publication number: 20160267212
    Abstract: A method for designing a system on a target device includes assigning resources on the target device to static logic modules and partial reconfigurable (PR) modules in the system. The instances of one of the PR modules are placed and routed in parallel utilizing resources from those that are assigned. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: David Samuel Goldman, Mark Bourgeault, Vaughn Betz, Alan Louis Herrmann
  • Patent number: 9361421
    Abstract: A method for designing a system on a target device includes assigning resources on the target device to static logic modules and partial reconfigurable (PR) modules in the system. The instances of one of the PR modules are placed and routed in parallel utilizing resources from those that are assigned. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: David Samuel Goldman, Mark Bourgeault, Vaughn Betz, Alan Louis Herrmann
  • Patent number: 9183336
    Abstract: An electronic design automation (EDA) tool alters a user's netlist to provide timing success for distribution of asynchronous signals. Distribution networks are used with the addition of pipeline registers before and/or after the distribution buffer. Or, a tree of pipeline registers is inserted between the asynchronous source and the destination registers. Or, any number of distribution networks are stitched together and pipeline stages may be inserted before and/or after each distribution buffer. Or, beneficial skew is utilized by introducing a delay component that skews a clock signal. The skewed clock signal drives a pipeline register that is inserted before a distribution buffer in order to improve timing margin. Any of various compilation techniques may be used within the EDA tool to solve the problem of distributing high-speed, high-fanout asynchronous signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Bourgeault, Ryan Fung, David Lewis
  • Patent number: 8832627
    Abstract: An electronic design automation (EDA) tool alters a user's netlist to provide timing success for distribution of asynchronous signals. Distribution networks are used with the addition of pipeline registers before and/or after the distribution buffer. Or, a tree of pipeline registers is inserted between the asynchronous source and the destination registers. Or, any number of distribution networks are stitched together and pipeline stages may be inserted before and/or after each distribution buffer. Or, beneficial skew is utilized by introducing a delay component that skews a clock signal. The skewed clock signal drives a pipeline register that is inserted before a distribution buffer in order to improve timing margin. Any of various compilation techniques may be used within the EDA tool to solve the problem of distributing high-speed, high-fanout asynchronous signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Bourgeault, Ryan Fung, David Lewis
  • Publication number: 20140237441
    Abstract: A method for designing a system on a target device includes assigning resources on the target device to static logic modules and partial reconfigurable (PR) modules in the system. The instances of one of the PR modules are placed and routed in parallel utilizing resources from those that are assigned. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: David Samuel Goldman, Mark Bourgeault, Vaughn Betz, Alan Louis Herrmann
  • Patent number: 8671377
    Abstract: A method for designing a system on a target device includes assigning resources on the target device to static logic modules and partial reconfigurable (PR) modules in the system. The instances of one of the PR modules are placed and routed in parallel utilizing resources from those that are assigned. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: David Samuel Goldman, Mark Bourgeault, Vaughn Betz, Alan Louis Herrmann
  • Patent number: 8539414
    Abstract: An electronic design automation (EDA) tool alters a user's netlist to provide timing success for distribution of asynchronous signals. Distribution networks are used with the addition of pipeline registers before and/or after the distribution buffer. Or, a tree of pipeline registers is inserted between the asynchronous source and the destination registers. Or, any number of distribution networks are stitched together and pipeline stages may be inserted before and/or after each distribution buffer. Or, beneficial skew is utilized by introducing a delay component that skews a clock signal. The skewed clock signal drives a pipeline register that is inserted before a distribution buffer in order to improve timing margin. Any of various compilation techniques may be used within the EDA tool to solve the problem of distributing high-speed, high-fanout asynchronous signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Bourgeault, Ryan Fung, David Lewis
  • Patent number: 8504970
    Abstract: A method for generating a design for a system to be implemented on a target device includes compiling the design. Information used to make a compilation decision on the design is stored. A strategy to improve timing closure on a signal path on the design is derived using the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Shawn Malhotra, Mark Ari Teper, Steven Caranci, Ketan Padalia, Mark Bourgeault
  • Patent number: 8356358
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided to prevent information leakage between components implemented on a programmable chip such as a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). An automated routing algorithm is effective at enforcing security restrictions with minimal input form the user while providing efficient utilization of the device. Compatible sets of signals are identified and locked, and reservations of routing resources are generated. Remaining signals are rerouted until all signal constraints are met. Specified security constraints with one or more security levels and one or more secure regions may be applied through iterations of the automated routing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: David Samuel Goldman, Mark Bourgeault
  • Publication number: 20120227026
    Abstract: A method for designing a system on a target device includes assigning resources on the target device to static logic modules and partial reconfigurable (PR) modules in the system. The instances of one of the PR modules are placed and routed in parallel utilizing resources from those that are assigned. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: David Samuel Goldman, Mark Bourgeault, Vaughn Betz, Alan Louis Herrmann
  • Patent number: 8191028
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided to improve maximum operating frequency in an integrated circuit. Optimization may be performed during a route phase of a compilation process performed to generate a configuration of the integrated circuit. In some instances, useful clock skew is automatically determined and clock connectivity is rewired on a per-integrated circuit block (per-LAB) basis during the route phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Bourgeault, Vaughn Betz
  • Publication number: 20110138223
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided to prevent information leakage between components implemented on a programmable chip such as a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). An automated routing algorithm is effective at enforcing security restrictions with minimal input form the user while providing efficient utilization of the device. Compatible sets of signals are identified and locked, and reservations of routing resources are generated. Remaining signals are rerouted until all signal constraints are met. Specified security constraints with one or more security levels and one or more secure regions may be applied through iterations of the automated routing mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: David Samuel Goldman, Mark Bourgeault
  • Patent number: 7676768
    Abstract: An electronic design automation (EDA) tool alters a user's netlist to provide timing success for distribution of asynchronous signals. Distribution networks are used with the addition of pipeline registers before and/or after the distribution buffer. Or, a tree of pipeline registers is inserted between the asynchronous source and the destination registers. Or, any number of distribution networks are stitched together and pipeline stages may be inserted before and/or after each distribution buffer. Or, beneficial skew is utilized by introducing a delay component that skews a clock signal. The skewed clock signal drives a pipeline register that is inserted before a distribution buffer in order to improve timing margin. Any of various compilation techniques may be used within the EDA tool to solve the problem of distributing high-speed, high-fanout asynchronous signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Bourgeault, Ryan Fung, David Lewis
  • Patent number: 7415692
    Abstract: A programming method efficiently programs programmable logic devices of the type having specialized multiplier blocks that include multipliers and other arithmetic function elements. Such blocks can be used to perform certain multiplication and multiplication-related functions more efficiently than general-purpose programmable logic. In order to efficiently program devices having such specialized multiplier blocks, so that they are used to their full potential and so that the maximum number of multiplier-related functions can be accommodated on a single programmable logic device, the programming method pre-processes the netlist of function blocks in a user's programmable logic design, grouping multiplication and multiplication-related functions efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Jennifer Farrugia, Elias Ahmed, Mark Bourgeault
  • Patent number: 7412680
    Abstract: A method for designing a system on an integrated circuit includes synthesizing the system. The system is placed on the integrated circuit. Buffer insertion is performed while selecting new branch points during routing of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Vadim Gouterman, Vaughn Betz, Mark Bourgeault
  • Patent number: 6971083
    Abstract: A programming method efficiently programs programmable logic devices of the type having specialized multiplier blocks that include multipliers and other arithmetic function elements. Such blocks can be used to perform certain multiplication and multiplication-related functions more efficiently than general-purpose programmable logic. In order to efficiently program devices having such specialized multiplier blocks, so that they are used to their full potential and so that the maximum number of multiplier-related functions can be accommodated on a single programmable logic device, the programming method pre-processes the netlist of function blocks in a user's programmable logic design, grouping multiplication and multiplication-related functions efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Jennifer Farrugia, Elias Ahmed, Mark Bourgeault