Patents by Inventor Sean R. Atsatt

Sean R. Atsatt 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: 10187064
    Abstract: An integrated circuit may include multiple programmable logic regions and a first plurality of routers. Each of the first plurality of routers is coupled to a respective region of a first portion of the programmable logic regions, and each of the first portion of the plurality of regions transmits configuration data to a first set of adjacent regions of the first portion of regions. The integrated circuit may also include a second plurality of routers, and each of the second plurality of routers is coupled to a respective region of a second portion of the regions. Each of the second portion of the regions transmits the configuration data to a second set of adjacent regions of the first portion of regions. The integrated circuit may also include a voltage regulator that distributes a voltage to each of the regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sean R. Atsatt, Herman Henry Schmit
  • Patent number: 10181001
    Abstract: A compensating initialization module may be automatically inserted into a design to compensate for register retiming which changes the designs behavior under reset. The device configuration circuitry may provide an adjustment sequence length as well as a start signal to the initialization module to properly reset the retimed user logic implemented on the integrated circuit after initial configuration and unfreezing of the integrated circuit. The auto initialization module may control the c-cycle initialization process and indicate to the user logic when c-cycle initialization has completed. The user logic may subsequently begin a user-specified reset sequence. When the user-specified reset sequence ends, the user logic implemented on the integrated circuit may begin normal operations. Additionally, a user reset request may also trigger the auto initialization module to begin a reset process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Sean R. Atsatt, Mahesh A. Iyer
  • Publication number: 20190007050
    Abstract: Devices and methods for reconfiguring a programmable fabric include identifying resources in a programmable fabric of the programmable device as belonging to a partition. Reconfiguring the programmable fabric also includes creating a mask for the partition that indicates that the identified resources belong to the partition. Reconfiguring the partition also includes reconfiguring resources, via a configuration controller, in programmable fabric associated with the partition using the mask without changing resources associated with other partitions in the programmable fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Sean R. Atsatt, Andrew Draper
  • Patent number: 10063526
    Abstract: A method of operating an integrated circuit may include generating a session key with a random number generator circuit. The session key may then be used to establish a secure communications channel between the integrated circuit and a remote server. The integrated circuit may be placed in a non-operational mode prior to establishing the secure communications channel. Accordingly, in response to establishing the secure communications channel, the integrated circuit may be placed in an operational mode to allow user operation. In some scenarios, the integrated circuit may receive license files from the remote server to enable implementation of specific logic blocks on the integrated circuit via the established secure communications channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventor: Sean R. Atsatt
  • Publication number: 20180239665
    Abstract: An integrated circuit may include a plurality of configuration random access memory (CRAM) sectors that configure logic sectors to perform user-defined functions. The logic circuits configured by the CRAM sectors may vary in their criticality to the operation of the integrated circuit. A prioritized error detection schedule may be provided to error detection circuitry, allowing a more frequent check of sectors that are used to configure logical circuitry that is critical to the operation of the integrated circuit. Upon detecting an error in a given CRAM sector, a sensitivity map may be used to determine the logical location corresponding to the errant CRAM sector. A sensitivity processor may assign a criticality level to the logical location, and appropriate corrective action for the errant CRAM sector may be determined based on the criticality level and the logical location corresponding to the sector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Applicant: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Michael David Hutton, Sean R. Atsatt
  • Publication number: 20180218104
    Abstract: A compensating initialization module may be automatically inserted into a design to compensate for register retiming which changes the designs behavior under reset. The device configuration circuitry may provide an adjustment sequence length as well as a start signal to the initialization module to properly reset the retimed user logic implemented on the integrated circuit after initial configuration and unfreezing of the integrated circuit. The auto initialization module may control the c-cycle initialization process and indicate to the user logic when c-cycle initialization has completed. The user logic may subsequently begin a user-specified reset sequence. When the user-specified reset sequence ends, the user logic implemented on the integrated circuit may begin normal operations. Additionally, a user reset request may also trigger the auto initialization module to begin a reset process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Applicant: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Sean R. Atsatt, Mahesh A. Iyer
  • Patent number: 9893727
    Abstract: An field programmable gate array (FPGA) includes a circuit implemented using the FPGA fabric. The FPGA further includes another circuit implemented as hardened circuitry. The FPGA also includes a configurable interface circuit that is adapted to couple together the two circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Sean R. Atsatt, Kent Orthner, Daniel R. Mansur
  • Publication number: 20180026638
    Abstract: An field programmable gate array (FPGA) includes a circuit implemented using the FPGA fabric. The FPGA further includes another circuit implemented as hardened circuitry. The FPGA also includes a configurable interface circuit that is adapted to couple together the two circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Sean R. Atsatt, Kent Orthner, Daniel R. Mansur
  • Publication number: 20170339116
    Abstract: A method of operating an integrated circuit may include generating a session key with a random number generator circuit. The session key may then be used to establish a secure communications channel between the integrated circuit and a remote server. The integrated circuit may be placed in a non-operational mode prior to establishing the secure communications channel. Accordingly, in response to establishing the secure communications channel, the integrated circuit may be placed in an operational mode to allow user operation. In some scenarios, the integrated circuit may receive license files from the remote server to enable implementation of specific logic blocks on the integrated circuit via the established secure communications channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventor: Sean R. Atsatt
  • Patent number: 9780789
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) includes a first circuit implemented using programmable circuitry of the IC, and a second circuit implemented using hardened circuitry of the IC. The IC further includes a configurable interface circuit to couple the first circuit to the second circuit using ready/valid signaling with a configurable ready-latency value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Sean R. Atsatt, Robert Landon Pelt
  • Patent number: 9729518
    Abstract: A method of operating an integrated circuit may include generating a session key with a random number generator circuit. The session key may then be used to establish a secure communications channel between the integrated circuit and a remote server. The integrated circuit may be placed in a non-operational mode prior to establishing the secure communications channel. Accordingly, in response to establishing the secure communications channel, the integrated circuit may be placed in an operational mode to allow user operation. In some scenarios, the integrated circuit may receive license files from the remote server to enable implementation of specific logic blocks on the integrated circuit via the established secure communications channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventor: Sean R. Atsatt
  • Patent number: 9600291
    Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for ensuring security in an integrated circuit system that includes a processor subsystem and a configurable-logic (e.g., FPGA) subsystem, which is capable of storing code executed by the processor. Techniques for utilizing the configurable-logic to control the process of booting a processor in the processor subsystem securely are described. Because the configurable-logic may be on the same die as the processor in the integrated circuit, the configurable-logic may securely boot the processor inside the security boundary of the package containing the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventor: Sean R. Atsatt
  • Patent number: 9584130
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for coordinating the partial reconfiguration of a region of a configurable device (e.g., a SDM/CNoC/LSM system or device) through an interface that coordinates the stopping of the current persona in that region, the resetting of the new current persona, and the starting of the new persona in a manner that does not corrupt the memory of the affected region. The interface further provides signaling that the static region can use to protect itself during the partial reconfiguration, and disallows multiple partial reconfigurations of the same region at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Scott J. Weber, Sean R. Atsatt, Yi Peng
  • Patent number: 9553762
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for providing an NoC including a configurable array of nodes, where a node of the configurable array of nodes operates in a default operating mode until a replacement operating mode is triggered. For example, when an NoC is unconfigured, a latch bank may be initialized to “clear,” such that no routing decisions are stored. This may enable a default operating mode where routing logic updates the latches' values as needed to implement required routing behavior in a dynamic fashion until configuration is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Dana How, Herman Henry Schmit, Sean R. Atsatt
  • Patent number: 9537488
    Abstract: An field programmable gate array (FPGA) includes a circuit implemented using the FPGA fabric. The FPGA further includes another circuit implemented as hardened circuitry. The FPGA also includes a configurable interface circuit that is adapted to couple together the two circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Sean R. Atsatt, Kent Orthner, Daniel R. Mansur
  • Patent number: 9355198
    Abstract: A method for designing a system on a target device includes identifying requirements for a control status register (CSR) to be implemented on the system. Register transfer level description for the CSR is generated in response to the requirements identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventor: Sean R. Atsatt
  • Publication number: 20160049941
    Abstract: Systems and methods relating to a programmable circuit. The programmable circuit includes multiple sectors. Each sector includes configurable functional blocks, configurable routing wires, configuration bits for storing configurations for the functional blocks and routing wires, and local control circuitry for interfacing with the configuration bits to configure the sector. The programmable circuit may include global control circuitry for interfacing with the local control circuitry to configure the sector. Each sector may be independently operable and/or operable in parallel with other sectors. Operating the programmable circuit may include using the local control circuitry to interface with the configurations bit and configure the sector. Additionally, operating the programmable circuit may include using the global control circuitry to interface with respective local control circuitry and configure the sector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Dana How, Sean R. Atsatt, Michael David Hutton, Herman Henry Schmit
  • Patent number: 9170911
    Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms detect deviations from a protocol being used to communicate between devices, for example, in hard logic (e.g., implemented as an ASIC or fixed circuitry) and soft logic (e.g., implemented in configurable logic of an FPGA). Techniques and mechanisms are described for detecting a variety of deviations from a protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Sean R. Atsatt, Samuel Johannes Hedinger, Steve Jahnke, Lean Kim Ong
  • Publication number: 20140145758
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) includes a first circuit implemented using programmable circuitry of the IC, and a second circuit implemented using hardened circuitry of the IC. The IC further includes a configurable interface circuit to couple the first circuit to the second circuit using ready/valid signaling with a configurable ready-latency value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Sean R. Atsatt, Robert Landon Pelt
  • Patent number: 8680886
    Abstract: An apparatus for implementing an electronic design includes a structured application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The structured ASIC includes circuitry that is adapted to implement functionality of a field programmable gate array (FPGA) that implements a part of the electronic design, as well as circuitry that is adapted to implement the functionality of at least one more FPGA that implement(s) another part (or additional parts) of the electronic design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventor: Sean R. Atsatt