Abstract: The invention allows the implementation of common wide logic functions using only two function generators of a field programmable gate array. One embodiment of the invention provides a structure for implementing a wide AND-gate in an FPGA configurable logic element (CLE) or portion thereof that includes no more than two function generators. First and second function generators are configured as AND-gates, the output signals (first and second AND signals) being combined in a 2-to-1 multiplexer controlled by the first AND signal, “0” selecting the first AND signal and “1” selecting the second AND signal. Therefore, a wide AND-gate is provided having a number of input signals equal to the total number of input signals for the two function generators. In another embodiment, a wide OR-gate is provided by configuring the function generators as OR-gates and controlling the multiplexer using the second OR signal.

Abstract: An FPGA configuration memory is divided into columnar frames each having a unique address. Configuration data is loaded into a configuration register, which transfers configuration data frame by frame in parallel. In a preferred embodiment, an input register, a shadow input register and a multiplexer array permit efficient configuration data transfer using a larger number of input bits than conventional FPGAs. A flexible external interface enables connection with bus sizes varying from a predetermined maximum width down to a selected fraction thereof. Configuration data transfer is made more efficient by using shadow registers to drive such data into memory cells on a frame-by-frame basis with a minimum of delay, and by employing a multiplexer array to exploit a wider configuration data transfer bus. The speed of configuration readback is made substantially equal to the rate of configuration data input by employing configuration register logic that supports bidirectional data transfer.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a programming bitstream for a programmable gate array. A programming bitstream for the programmable gate array is generated in response to an input design specification. The programming bitstream includes one or more unused segments, either interspersed through the bitstream or appended to the end of the bitstream, wherein an unused segment includes bits that are not used for programming the programmable gate array. One or more selected items of information are encoded to form binary representations of the items. The binary representations are inserted into one or more of the unused segments of the programming bitstream.

Abstract: An FPGA configuration memory is divided into columnar frames each having a unique address. Configuration data is loaded into a configuration register, which transfers configuration data frame by frame in parallel. In a preferred embodiment, an input register, a shadow input register and a multiplexer array permit efficient configuration data transfer using a larger number of input bits than conventional FPGAs. A flexible external interface enables connection with bus sizes varying from a predetermined maximum width down to a selected fraction thereof. Configuration data transfer is made more efficient by using shadow registers to drive such data into memory cells on a frame-by-frame basis with a minimum of delay, and by employing a multiplexer array to exploit a wider configuration data transfer bus. The speed of configuration readback is made substantially equal to the rate of configuration data input by employing configuration register logic that supports bidirectional data transfer.

Abstract: The invention allows the implementation of common wide logic functions using only two function generators of a field programmable gate array. One embodiment of the invention provides a structure for implementing a wide AND-gate in an FPGA configurable logic element (CLE) or portion thereof that includes no more than two function generators. First and second function generators are configured as AND-gates, the output signals (first and second AND signals) being combined in a 2-to-1 multiplexer controlled by the first AND signal, “0” selecting the first AND signal and “1” selecting the second AND signal. Therefore, a wide AND-gate is provided having a number of input signals equal to the total number of input signals for the two function generators. In another embodiment, a wide OR-gate is provided by configuring the function generators as OR-gates and controlling the multiplexer using the second OR signal.

Abstract: An FPGA configuration memory is divided into columnar frames each having a unique address. Configuration data is loaded into a configuration register, which transfers configuration data frame by frame in parallel. In a preferred embodiment, an input register, a shadow input register and a multiplexer array permit efficient configuration data transfer using a larger number of input bits than conventional FPGAs. A flexible external interface enables connection with bus sizes varying from a predetermined maximum width down to a selected fraction thereof. Configuration data transfer is made more efficient by using shadow registers to drive such data into memory cells on a frame-by-frame basis with a minimum of delay, and by employing a multiplexer array to exploit a wider configuration data transfer bus. The speed of configuration readback is made substantially equal to the rate of configuration data input by employing configuration register logic that supports bidirectional data transfer.

Abstract: An FPGA configuration memory is divided into columnar frames each having a unique address. Configuration data is loaded into a configuration register, which transfers configuration data frame by frame in parallel. In a preferred embodiment, an input register, a shadow input register and a multiplexer array permit efficient configuration data transfer using a larger number of input bits than conventional FPGAs. A flexible external interface enables connection with bus sizes varying from a predetermined maximum width down to a selected fraction thereof. Configuration data transfer is made more efficient by using shadow registers to drive such data into memory cells on a frame-by-frame basis with a minimum of delay, and by employing a multiplexer array to exploit a wider configuration data transfer bus. The speed of configuration readback is made substantially equal to the rate of configuration data input by employing configuration register logic that supports bidirectional data transfer.

Abstract: The invention provides a Configurable Logic Element (CLE) preferably included in each of an array of identical tiles. A CLE according to the invention has four function generators. The outputs of two function generators are combined with a fifth independent input in a five-input-function multiplexer or function generator to produce an output that can be any function of five inputs, or some functions of up to nine inputs. The outputs of the other two function generators are similarly combined. The outputs of the two five-input-function multiplexers or function generators are then combined with a sixth independent input in a six-input-function multiplexer or function generator. The six-input-function multiplexer or function generator therefore produces an output that can be any function of up to six inputs. Some functions of up to nineteen inputs can also be generated in a single CLE.

Abstract: An FPGA configuration memory is divided into columnar frames each having a unique address. Configuration data is loaded into a configuration register, which transfers configuration data frame by frame in parallel. In a preferred embodiment, an input register, a shadow input register and a multiplexer array permit efficient configuration data transfer using a larger number of input bits than conventional FPGAs. A flexible external interface enables connection with bus sizes varying from a predetermined maximum width down to a selected fraction thereof. Configuration data transfer is made more efficient by using shadow registers to drive such data into memory cells on a frame-by-frame basis with a minimum of delay, and by employing a multiplexer array to exploit a wider configuration data transfer bus. The speed of configuration readback is made substantially equal to the rate of configuration data input by employing configuration register logic that supports bidirectional data transfer.

Abstract: An FPGA configuration memory is divided into columnar frames each having a unique address. Configuration data is loaded into a configuration register, which transfers configuration data frame by frame in parallel. In a preferred embodiment, an input register, a shadow input register and a multiplexer array permit efficient configuration data transfer using a larger number of input bits than conventional FPGAs. A flexible external interface enables connection with bus sizes varying from a predetermined maximum width down to a selected fraction thereof. Configuration data transfer is made more efficient by using shadow registers to drive such data into memory cells on a frame-by-frame basis with a minimum of delay, and by employing a multiplexer array to exploit a wider configuration data transfer bus. The speed of configuration readback is made substantially equal to the rate of configuration data input by employing configuration register logic that supports bidirectional data transfer.

Abstract: The invention provides a Configurable Logic Element (CLE) preferably included in each of an array of identical tiles. A CLE according to the invention has four function generators. The outputs of two function generators are combined with a fifth independent input in a five-input-function multiplexer or function generator to produce an output that can be any function of five inputs, or some functions of up to nine inputs. The outputs of the other two function generators are similarly combined. The outputs of the two five-input-function multiplexers or function generators are then combined with a sixth independent input in a six-input-function multiplexer or function generator. The six-input-function multiplexer or function generator therefore produces an output that can be any function of up to six inputs. Some functions of up to nineteen inputs can also be generated in a single CLE.

Abstract: The invention provides a Configurable Logic Element (CLE) preferably included in each of an array of identical tiles. A CLE according to the invention has four function generators. The outputs of two function generators are combined with a fifth independent input in a five-input-function multiplexer or function generator to produce an output that can be any function of five inputs, or some functions of up to nine inputs. The outputs of the other two function generators are similarly combined. The outputs of the two five-input-function multiplexers or function generators are then combined with a sixth independent input in a first six-input-function multiplexer or function generator, and with a different sixth independent input in a second six-input-function multiplexer or function generator.