Patents by Inventor San-Ta Kow

San-Ta Kow 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: 11157421
    Abstract: The present application discloses a system level integrated circuit chip, comprising a fixed logic module and a Programmable Logic Module; the fixed logic module comprising a CPU module, a non-volatile memory module, a high speed data transmission module, an analogue-to-digital and/or digital-to-analogue conversion module; the Programmable Logic Module comprising a user-defined field programmable gate array and a programmable control module; the CPU module is interconnected with the user-defined field programmable gate array and the programmable control module; the non-volatile memory is interconnected with the user-defined field programmable gate array and the programmable control module; the analogue-to-digital and/or digital-to-analogue conversion module are connected with the user-defined field programmable gate array; and the high speed data transmission module is interconnected with the user-defined field programmable gate array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: GOWIN Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Jinghui Zhu, San-Ta Kow, Tun Jun Gao, Diwakar Chopperla, Chienkuang Chen, Ning Song
  • Patent number: 10997088
    Abstract: A secrecy system and a decryption method of on-chip data stream of nonvolatile FPGA are provided in the present invention. The nonvolatile memory module of the system is configured to only allow the full erase operation. After the full erase operation is finished, the nonvolatile memory module gets into the initial state. Only the operation to the nonvolatile memory module under the initial state is effective, and thereby the encryption region unit is arranged in the nonvolatile memory module. Only the decryption data written into the encryption region unit under the initial state can make the nonvolatile memory module to be readable, so that the decryption of the system is finished, which greatly improves the secrecy precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: GOWIN Semiconductor Corporation, Ltd.
    Inventors: San-Ta Kow, Jinghui Zhu, Diwakar Chopperla
  • Patent number: 10990556
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a programmable logic device with on-chip user non-volatile memory, comprising: a programmable logic array, which is a user programmable logic array and comprises a SRAM array and a logic block array with an interface; the SRAM array is used to store configuration data to control the logic block array in real time, therefore, the logic block can be formed to perform the function a user desires; a non-volatile memory block, comprising one or more segments storing configuration data and one or more segments storing user data which is used during FPGA's normal operation after configuration; the non-volatile memory block has only one interface, and the non-volatile memory block connects to a programming controller through the interface; a programming controller, which can randomly access the non-volatile memory through a data bus, an address bus, and corresponding control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: GOWIN Semiconductor Corporation, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jinghui Zhu, San-Ta Kow
  • Patent number: 10521150
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a data processing method and a device for a nonvolatile memory and a storage medium. The data processing method comprises: performing a full erase operation on the nonvolatile memory if a full erase operation command is received, such that the nonvolatile memory enters an initial state, wherein the initial state refers to a state in which all operations performed on the nonvolatile memory are valid; in the initial state, storing a data if the data is written in the memory is detected, wherein the data comprises a flag information; detecting the flag information if a data readout command triggered by a user is received; and identifying that the nonvolatile memory is in a default state and prohibiting the user from reading the data stored in the nonvolatile memory if the flag information is detected as an unreadable flag information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Inventors: San-Ta Kow, Jinghui Zhu, Diwakar Chopperla
  • Publication number: 20190361624
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a data processing method and a device for a nonvolatile memory and a storage medium. The data processing method comprises: performing a full erase operation on the nonvolatile memory if a full erase operation command is received, such that the nonvolatile memory enters an initial state, wherein the initial state refers to a state in which all operations performed on the nonvolatile memory are valid; in the initial state, storing a data if the data is written in the memory is detected, wherein the data comprises a flag information; detecting the flag information if a data readout command triggered by a user is received; and identifying that the nonvolatile memory is in a default state and prohibiting the user from reading the data stored in the nonvolatile memory if the flag information is detected as an unreadable flag information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: San-Ta Kow, Jinghui Zhu, Diwakar Chopperla
  • Publication number: 20190114268
    Abstract: The present application discloses a system level integrated circuit chip, comprising a fixed logic module and a Programmable Logic Module; the fixed logic module comprising a CPU module, a non-volatile memory module, a high speed data transmission module, an analogue-to-digital and/or digital-to-analogue conversion module; the Programmable Logic Module comprising a user-defined field programmable gate array and a programmable control module; the CPU module is interconnected with the user-defined field programmable gate array and the programmable control module; the non-volatile memory is interconnected with the user-defined field programmable gate array and the programmable control module; the analogue-to-digital and/or digital-to-analogue conversion module are connected with the user-defined field programmable gate array; and the high speed data transmission module is interconnected with the user-defined field programmable gate array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Applicant: Gowin Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Jinghui Zhu, San-Ta Kow, Tun Jun Gao, Diwakar Chopperla, Chienkuang Chen, Ning Song
  • Publication number: 20180011803
    Abstract: A secrecy system and a decryption method of on-chip data stream of nonvolatile FPGA are provided in the present invention. The nonvolatile memory module of the system is configured to only allow the full erase operation. After the full erase operation is finished, the nonvolatile memory module gets into the initial state. Only the operation to the nonvolatile memory module under the initial state is effective, and thereby the encryption region unit is arranged in the nonvolatile memory module. Only the decryption data written into the encryption region unit under the initial state can make the nonvolatile memory module to be readable, so that the decryption of the system is finished, which greatly improves the secrecy precision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Applicant: Gowin Semiconductor Corporation, Ltd
    Inventors: San-Ta Kow, Jinghui Zhu, Diwakar Chopperla
  • Publication number: 20160274816
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a programmable logic device with on-chip user non-volatile memory, comprising: a programmable logic array, which is a user programmable logic array and comprises a SRAM array and a logic block array with an interface; the SRAM array is used to store configuration data to control the logic block array in real time, therefore, the logic block can be formed to perform the function a user desires; a non-volatile memory block, comprising one or more segments storing configuration data and one or more segments storing user data which is used during FPGA's normal operation after configuration; the non-volatile memory block has only one interface, and the non-volatile memory block connects to a programming controller through the interface; a programming controller, which can randomly access the non-volatile memory through a data bus, an address bus, and corresponding control signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Jinghui Zhu, San-Ta Kow
  • Patent number: 8108754
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of verifying a programming operation of a programmable logic device includes storing in non-volatile memory within the programmable logic device configuration data and a pre-calculated code value based on the configuration data. The method further includes transferring the configuration data from non-volatile memory to configuration memory within the programmable logic device; calculating a code value based on the configuration data transferred from the non-volatile memory to the configuration memory; and comparing the calculated code value to the pre-calculated code value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Lattice Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Howard Tang, Roger Spinti, San-Ta Kow, Ann Wu
  • Patent number: 8058898
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of converting an uncompressed bitstream into a compressed bitstream for a programmable logic device (PLD) is disclosed. The method includes embedding a first data frame from the uncompressed bitstream into the compressed bitstream, wherein the first data frame comprises a first data set; embedding a first instruction into the compressed bitstream to load the first data frame into a first row of configuration memory of the PLD at an address associated with the first data frame; identifying a second data frame in the uncompressed bitstream, wherein the second data frame comprises the first data set; and embedding a second instruction into the compressed bitstream to load the first data frame into a second row of the configuration memory at an address associated with the second data frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Lattice Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Chan-Chi Jason Cheng, San-Ta Kow, Ann Wu
  • Patent number: 8060784
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a programmable logic device includes configuration memory and a controller. The controller can read a first bitstream from a first memory block of non-volatile memory and detect whether the first bitstream contains a valid preamble as the first bitstream is read from the non-volatile memory and before configuration data in the first bitstream is programmed into the volatile configuration memory. If a valid preamble is detected in the first bitstream, the controller programs the configuration memory with configuration data in the first bitstream. If a valid preamble is not detected in the first bitstream, the controller reads a second bitstream from a second memory block of the non-volatile memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Lattice Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Roger Spinti, Howard Tang, San-Ta Kow, Ann Wu
  • Patent number: 8010871
    Abstract: A method of recovering from a soft error within configuration data stored in a configured programmable logic device. The method includes repeatedly processing the configuration data stored within configuration memory of the device using an error-detection algorithm to generate a checksum. The generated checksum is compared with a previously generated checksum to detect if a soft error exists in the configuration data. If a soft error is detected, the programmable logic device initiates a reconfiguration of the configuration memory. The configuration memory is then reconfigured with the configuration data while preventing the programmable logic device from responding to the reconfiguration as though the reconfiguration was an initial configuration of the device. An embodiment of a programmable logic device designed for practicing the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Lattice Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: San-Ta Kow, Ann Wu, Tou Nou Thao
  • Patent number: 7902865
    Abstract: Various techniques are provided to compress and decompress configuration data for use with programmable logic devices (PLDs). In one example, a method includes embedding a first data frame comprising a data set from an uncompressed bitstream into a compressed bitstream. The method also includes embedding a first instruction to instruct a PLD to load the first data frame into a data shift register, embedding a second instruction to instruct the PLD to load a first address associated with the first data frame into an address shift register, and embedding a third instruction to instruct the PLD to load the first data frame from the data shift register into a first row of a configuration memory corresponding to the first address. The method further includes identifying a second data frame comprising the data set in the uncompressed bitstream, and embedding fourth and fifth instructions in place of the second data frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Lattice Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Chan-Chi Jason Cheng, San-Ta Kow, Ann Wu
  • Patent number: 7876125
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide register data retention techniques for a programmable logic device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. For example, in one embodiment, a programmable logic device includes a plurality of logic blocks adapted to generate user data during operation of the programmable logic device; a plurality of registers adapted to store the user data during a reprogramming operation of the programmable logic device; and configurable routing resources adapted to provide a programmed data path between the logic blocks and the registers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Lattice Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Howard Tang, Roger Spinti, San-Ta Kow, Ju Shen
  • Patent number: 7834652
    Abstract: In embodiment of the invention, a programmable logic device includes configuration memory adapted to be programmed with configuration data and a plurality of programmable fuses adapted to store a security key for use with configuration data. The security key includes a plurality of data bit values, wherein each data bit value of the security key is associated with a subset of a least three fuses each storing a bit. Each of a plurality of decoders is adapted to retrieve a data bit value of the security key by providing the bit value stored by a majority of the fuses of the associated subset as the data bit value of the security key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Lattice Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Howard Tang, Ju Shen, San-Ta Kow
  • Patent number: 7768300
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a programmable logic device (PLD) includes a slave port and a master port. The slave port can receive a configuration data bitstream and a slave clock signal from a master port of a first external device. The master port can provide the configuration data bitstream and a master clock signal from the PLD to a slave port of a second external device. An interface block in the PLD can pass the configuration data bitstream from the slave port through the PLD to the master port. In another embodiment, a PLD includes a slave serial peripheral interface (SPI) port and configuration memory. The slave SPI port can receive a configuration data bitstream and a slave clock signal from a master SPI port of an external device. The configuration memory stores the received bitstream for configuring the PLD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Lattice Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Howard Tang, Roger Spinti, San-Ta Kow
  • Patent number: 7725803
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a programmable logic device includes configuration memory to store configuration data to configure the programmable logic device, and a non-volatile memory to store configuration data for transfer to the configuration memory to configure the programmable logic device. The non-volatile memory also stores a first code value based on the configuration data stored in the non-volatile memory. A code block calculates a second code value based on the configuration data transferred to the configuration memory. A comparator compares the first code value to the second code value to verify that the configuration data was not corrupted during the transfer from the non-volatile memory to the configuration memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Lattice Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Howard Tang, Roger Spinti, San-Ta Kow, Ann Wu
  • Patent number: 7675313
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein to provide improved security key techniques for programmable logic devices. For example, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method of providing data security for a programmable logic device (PLD) includes programming a plurality of programmable fuses that stores a security key comprising a plurality of data bit values, wherein each data bit value is associated with a respective subset of at least three of the fuses. The security key is retrieved from the fuses using the data bit values stored by each subset of the fuses. An encrypted configuration data bitstream is decrypted using the retrieved security key to obtain an original configuration data bitstream to configure the PLD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Lattice Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Howard Tang, Ju Shen, San-Ta Kow
  • Patent number: 7652500
    Abstract: Improved reconfiguration techniques are provided for programmable logic devices (PLDs). For example, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a programmable logic device includes logic blocks, input/output blocks and corresponding input/output pins, and configuration memory. The PLD also includes registers adapted to capture output signal values of the input/output pins before a reconfiguration of the programmable logic device and to provide the captured values on the input/output pins during the reconfiguration of the PLD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Lattice Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Howard Tang, Ju Shen, San-Ta Kow
  • Patent number: 7631223
    Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed herein to provide an improved approach to the loading of configuration data into configuration memory of programmable logic devices. For example, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention a method of configuring a programmable logic device includes reading a first bitstream from a first memory block of an external memory device. The first bitstream is checked for errors and a second bitstream is read from a second memory block of the external memory device if an error is detected. Configuration memory of the programmable logic device is programmed with configuration data provided in one of the first bitstream and the second bitstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Lattice Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Roger Spinti, Howard Tang, San-Ta Kow, Ann Wu