Patents by Inventor Michael Hutton

Michael Hutton 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: 10515165
    Abstract: In a first mode, a control circuit can implement a circuit design with storage circuits in an integrated circuit by programming configuration memory bits via configuration resources. The storage circuits can be accessed for read and write operations during execution of the implemented circuit design with the integrated circuit. In a second mode, the control circuit can perform read and write access operations at the storage circuits via configuration resources or via an interface circuit and interconnect resources that are allocated to the circuit design implementation. Typical applications for performing access operations at the storage circuits include fault injection and observation, statistical monitoring of the circuit design, initialization and the distribution of certain signals such as reset signals, event sampling, just to name a few.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Hutton, Sean Atsatt
  • Patent number: 10061879
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes user storage circuits, a local control circuit, and scan storage circuits arranged in a scan chain. At least a portion of a design-under-test is implemented in a subset of the integrated circuit that comprises the user storage circuits. The local control circuit retrieves data stored in the user storage circuits through the scan storage circuits without erasing the data stored in the user storage circuits after halting oscillations in a user clock signal that clocks the user storage circuits. The local control circuit restarts oscillations in the user clock signal after the data is provided from the user storage circuits to the scan storage circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Hutton
  • Publication number: 20180004878
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes user storage circuits, a local control circuit, and scan storage circuits arranged in a scan chain. At least a portion of a design-under-test is implemented in a subset of the integrated circuit that comprises the user storage circuits. The local control circuit retrieves data stored in the user storage circuits through the scan storage circuits without erasing the data stored in the user storage circuits after halting oscillations in a user clock signal that clocks the user storage circuits. The local control circuit restarts oscillations in the user clock signal after the data is provided from the user storage circuits to the scan storage circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Applicant: Altera Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Hutton
  • Patent number: 9798842
    Abstract: An integrated circuit may include observable storage circuits and unobservable or non-observable storage circuits. Among values stored in the observable and the non-observable storage circuits, only the values stored in the observable storage circuits are accessible for read-back and/or write-back operations during hardware emulation. A computer system may receive a circuit design that includes a design-under-test and implement at least a portion of the circuit design in the integrated circuit. The computer system may insert observable storage circuits into the circuit design and couple the observable storage circuits to the non-observable storage circuits such that the data stored in the non-observable storage circuits may be accessed during read-back operations using the inserted observable storage circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Hutton
  • Publication number: 20170262563
    Abstract: In a first mode, a control circuit may implement a circuit design with storage circuits in an integrated circuit by programming configuration memory bits via configuration resources. The storage circuits may be accessed for read and write operations during the execution of the circuit design implementation with the integrated circuit. In a second mode, the control circuit may perform read and write access operations at the storage circuits via configuration resources or via an interface circuit and interconnect resources that are allocated to the circuit design implementation. Typical applications for performing access operations at the storage circuits include fault injection and observation, statistical monitoring of the circuit design, initialization and the distribution of certain signals such as reset signals, event sampling, just to name a few.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Applicant: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Hutton, Sean Atsatt
  • Patent number: 9697318
    Abstract: In a first mode, a control circuit generates a circuit design implementation with storage circuits in an integrated circuit by programming configuration memory bits via configuration resources. The storage circuits can be accessed for read and write operations during the execution of the circuit design implementation with the integrated circuit. In a second mode, the control circuit can perform read and write access operations at the storage circuits via configuration resources or via an interface circuit and interconnect resources that are allocated to the circuit design implementation. Typical applications for performing access operations at the storage circuits include fault injection and observation, statistical monitoring of the circuit design, initialization and distribution of certain signals including reset signals, event sampling, just to name a few.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Hutton, Sean Atsatt
  • Publication number: 20170103157
    Abstract: In a first mode, a control circuit generates a circuit design implementation with storage circuits in an integrated circuit by programming configuration memory bits via configuration resources. The storage circuits can be accessed for read and write operations during the execution of the circuit design implementation with the integrated circuit. In a second mode, the control circuit can perform read and write access operations at the storage circuits via configuration resources or via an interface circuit and interconnect resources that are allocated to the circuit design implementation. Typical applications for performing access operations at the storage circuits include fault injection and observation, statistical monitoring of the circuit design, initialization and the distribution of certain signals including reset signals, event sampling, just to name a few.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Applicant: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Hutton, Sean Atsatt
  • Patent number: 9588176
    Abstract: An integrated circuit may include user storage circuits and scan storage circuits. The scan storage circuits may store data from the user storage circuits and provide the data to a user interface during a read-back operation. The user storage circuits may store data from the scan storage circuits, which the scan storage circuits may have received from the user interface during a write-back operation. The scan storage circuits may be arranged in a scan chain and controlled by a local control circuit. The integrated circuit may include multiple local control circuits that each control a sector of the integrated circuit. The local control circuits may communicate with a global control circuit over a communication network, and the global control circuit may communicate with the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Hutton, Sean Atsatt, James Ball, Dana How, Jeffrey Chromczak, Eng Ling Ho
  • Patent number: 9276582
    Abstract: A cross-point switch having stacked switching dies on a component die is disclosed. The cross point switch allows scalability by adding switching dies. The switching dies include ingress switches that are coupled to multiplexers to a middle stage switches. The inputs and outputs of the ingress switches are connected to the switching interface region via through silicon vias (TSVs). The outputs of the ingress switches are also coupled by TSVs to multiplexers for routing to middle stage switches on a switching die above. If the switching die is stacked on another switching die, the outputs of the ingress switches are coupled by TSVs to the multiplexers for routing to the middle stage switches of the switching die below. By adding switching dies, the switch is configurable to increase the number of ports as well as the width of the ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Schulz, Michael Hutton
  • Publication number: 20150341037
    Abstract: A cross-point switch having stacked switching dies on a component die is disclosed. The cross point switch allows scalability by adding switching dies. The switching dies include ingress switches that are coupled to multiplexers to a middle stage switches. The inputs and outputs of the ingress switches are connected to the switching interface region via through silicon vias (TSVs). The outputs of the ingress switches are also coupled by TSVs to multiplexers for routing to middle stage switches on a switching die above. If the switching die is stacked on another switching die, the outputs of the ingress switches are coupled by TSVs to the multiplexers for routing to the middle stage switches of the switching die below. By adding switching dies, the switch is configurable to increase the number of ports as well as the width of the ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey Schulz, Michael Hutton
  • Patent number: 9077338
    Abstract: A cross-point switch having stacked switching dies on a component die is disclosed. The cross point switch allows scalability by adding switching dies. The switching dies include ingress switches that are coupled to multiplexers to a middle stage switches. The inputs and outputs of the ingress switches are connected to the switching interface region via through silicon vias (TSVs). The outputs of the ingress switches are also coupled by TSVs to multiplexers for routing to middle stage switches on a switching die above. If the switching die is stacked on another switching die, the outputs of the ingress switches are coupled by TSVs to the multiplexers for routing to the middle stage switches of the switching die below. By adding switching dies, the switch is configurable to increase the number of ports as well as the width of the ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: ALTERA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey Schulz, Michael Hutton
  • Patent number: 8082526
    Abstract: A dedicated hardware block is provided for implementing crossbars and/or barrel shifters in programmable logic resources. Crossbar and/or barrel shifter circuitry may replace one or more rows, one or more columns, one or more rectangles, or any combination thereof of programmable logic regions on a programmable logic resource. The functionality of the crossbar and/or barrel shifter circuitry can further be improved by implementing time-multiplexing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Hutton, Sinan Kaptanoglu
  • Patent number: 7839167
    Abstract: A programmable logic integrated circuit device has a plurality of regions of programmable logic disposed on the device in a plurality of intersecting rows and columns of such regions. Interconnection resources (e.g., interconnection conductors, signal buffers/drivers, programmable connectors, etc.) are provided on the device for making programmable interconnections to, from, and/or between the regions. At least some of these interconnection resources are provided in two forms that are architecturally similar (e.g., with similar and substantially parallel routing) but that have significantly different signal propagation speed characteristics. For example, a major or larger portion of such dual-form interconnection resources may have what may be termed normal signal speed, while a smaller minor portion may have significantly faster signal speed. Secondary (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Tony Ngai, Bruce Pedersen, Sergey Shumarayev, James Schleicher, Wei-Jen Huang, Michael Hutton, Victor Maruri, Rakesh Patel, Peter J. Kazarian, Andrew Leaver, David W. Mendel, Jim Park
  • Patent number: 7716623
    Abstract: A programmable logic device (“PLD”) architecture includes logic elements (“LEs”) grouped together in clusters called logic array blocks (LABs”). To save area, local feedback resources (for feeding outputs of the LEs in a LAB back to inputs of LEs in the LAB) are reduced or eliminated as compared to in the prior art. Because all (or at least more) of any LE-output-to-LE-input connections of LEs that are working together in a LAB must be routed through the general-purpose input routing resources of the LAB, it is important to conserve those resources. This is accomplished, for example, by giving greater importance to finding logic functions that have common inputs when deciding what logic functions to implement together in a LAB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Tim Vanderhoek, Vaughn Betz, David Cashman, David Lewis, Michael Hutton
  • Patent number: 7671625
    Abstract: Disclosed is an LE that can provide a number of advantageous features. For example, the LE can provide efficient and flexible use of LUTs and input sharing. The LE may also provide for flexible use of one or more dedicated adders and include register functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: James Schleicher, Richard Yuan, Bruce Pedersen, Sinan Kaptanoglu, Gregg Baeckler, David Lewis, Michael Hutton, Andy Lee, Rahul Saini, Henry Kim
  • Publication number: 20090289660
    Abstract: A programmable logic integrated circuit device has a plurality of regions of programmable logic disposed on the device in a plurality of intersecting rows and columns of such regions. Interconnection resources (e.g., interconnection conductors, signal buffers/drivers, programmable connectors, etc.) are provided on the device for making programmable interconnections to, from, and/or between the regions. At least some of these interconnection resources are provided in two forms that are architecturally similar (e.g., with similar and substantially parallel routing) but that have significantly different signal propagation speed characteristics. For example, a major or larger portion of such dual-form interconnection resources may have what may be termed normal signal speed, while a smaller minor portion may have significantly faster signal speed. Secondary (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventors: Tony Ngai, Bruce Pedersen, Sergey Shumarayev, James Schleicher, Wei-Jen Huang, Michael Hutton, Victor Maruri, Rakesh Patel, Peter J. Kazarian, Andrew Leaver, David W. Mendel, Jim Park
  • Patent number: 7619443
    Abstract: A programmable logic device (“PLD”) architecture includes logic elements (“LEs”) grouped together in clusters called logic array blocks (LABs”). To save area, local feedback resources (for feeding outputs of the LEs in a LAB back to inputs of LEs in the LAB) are reduced or eliminated as compared to in the prior art. Because all (or at least more) of any LE-output-to-LE-input connections of LEs that are working together in a LAB must be routed through the general-purpose input routing resources of the LAB, it is important to conserve those resources. This is accomplished, for example, by giving greater importance to finding logic functions that have common inputs when deciding what logic functions to implement together in a LAB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Tim Vanderhoek, Vaughn Betz, David Cashman, David Lewis, Michael Hutton
  • Patent number: 7509618
    Abstract: A method for designing systems on field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) includes caching design information from a compilation of a system design. The design information is utilized in a compilation of a subsequent system design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Hutton, Yean-Yow Hwang, David Mendel
  • Patent number: 7492188
    Abstract: A programmable logic integrated circuit device has a plurality of regions of programmable logic disposed on the device in a plurality of intersecting rows and columns of such regions. Interconnection resources (e.g., interconnection conductors, signal buffers/drivers, programmable connectors, etc.) are provided on the device for making programmable interconnections to, from, and/or between the regions. At least some of these interconnection resources are provided in two forms that are architecturally similar (e.g., with similar and substantially parallel routing) but that have significantly different signal propagation speed characteristics. For example, a major or larger portion of such dual-form interconnection resources may have what may be termed normal signal speed, while a smaller minor portion may have significantly faster signal speed. Secondary (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Tony Ngai, Bruce Pedersen, Sergey Shumarayev, James Schleicher, Wei-Jen Huang, Michael Hutton, Victor Maruri, Rakesh Patel, Peter J. Kazarian, Andrew Leaver, David W. Mendel, Jim Park
  • Publication number: 20080136449
    Abstract: A dedicated hardware block is provided for implementing crossbars and/or barrel shifters in programmable logic resources. Crossbar and/or barrel shifter circuitry may replace one or more rows, one or more columns, one or more rectangles, or any combination thereof of programmable logic regions on a programmable logic resource. The functionality of the crossbar and/or barrel shifter circuitry can further be improved by implementing time-multiplexing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Hutton, Sinan Kaptanoglu