Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting a signal received from a communication path are disclosed. A receiver can receive a signal from a communication path which attenuates at least some frequency components of the signal. The receiver can include an equalization block that adjusts at least some of the frequency content of the received signal, a signal normalization block that provides a normalized signal amplitude and/or a normalized edge slope, and a control block. In one embodiment, the control block controls frequency adjustment in the equalization block for high frequencies but not for low frequencies. For low frequency adjustment, the control block controls the normalized signal amplitude in the signal normalization block. In this manner, controlled adjustment for low frequency content is performed in the signal normalization block.

Abstract: In high speed receiver circuitry (e.g., on a programmable logic device (PLD) or the like), decision feedback equalization (DFE) circuitry is used to at least partly cancel unwanted offset (e.g., from other elements of the receiver). The data input to the receiver is tristated; and then each DFE tap coefficient is varied in turn to find coefficient values that are associated with transitions between oscillation and non-oscillation of the receiver output signal. The coefficient values found in this way are used to select trial values. If the output signal of the receiver does not oscillate when these trial values are used, the process is repeated starting from these (or subsequent) trial values until a final set of trial values does allow oscillation of the receiver output signal.

Abstract: Precision amplitude detection circuitry without pattern dependencies is provided that includes rectifier circuitry to output a rectified voltage signal and delay circuitry to send one or more delayed or phase-shifted versions of a differential signal input to the rectifier circuitry. The delayed versions of the differential signal input may be delayed in order to reduce or eliminate the dips in the input seen by the rectifier. This may help correct for low rectified voltage levels. The signal amplitude detection circuitry of the present invention may be incorporated on the input pin of any programmable logic resource and may be included in communication circuitry of a PLD. The precision amplitude detection circuitry may operate in the Gbps (gigabit per second) range.

Abstract: A transceiver system with reduced latency uncertainty is described. In one implementation, the transceiver system has a word aligner latency uncertainty of zero. In another implementation, the transceiver system has a receiver-to-transmitter transfer latency uncertainty of zero. In yet another implementation, the transceiver system has a word aligner latency uncertainty of zero and a receiver-to-transmitter transfer latency uncertainty of zero. In one specific implementation, the receiver-to-transmitter transfer latency uncertainty is eliminated by using the transmitter parallel clock as a feedback signal in the transmitter phase locked loop (PLL). In one implementation, this is achieved by optionally making the transmitter divider, which generates the transmitter parallel clock, part of the feedback path of the transmitter PLL.

Abstract: Circuitry for receiving a high-speed serial data signal (e.g., having a bit rate in the range of about 10 Gpbs and higher) includes a two-stage, continuous-time, linear equalizer having only two serially connected stages. Phase detector circuitry may be provided for receiving the serial output of the equalizer and for converting successive pairs of bits in that output to successive parallel-form bit pairs. Further demultiplexing circuitry may be provided to demultiplex successive groups of the parallel-form bit pairs to final groups of parallel bits, which can be quite large in terms of number of bits (e.g., 64 parallel bits). Another aspect of the invention relates to multiplexer circuitry for efficiently going in the opposite direction from such relatively large groups of parallel data bits to a high-speed serial data output signal.

Abstract: Transmitter driver circuitry for outputting a high-speed serial data signal (e.g., in the range of about 10 gigabits per second or higher) includes H-tree driver circuitry having only a main driver stage and a post-tap driver stage. At least one transistor in the H-tree driver circuitry is constructed and connected to provide electrostatic discharge protection. PMOS and NMOS current sources are used for the H-tree driver circuitry to enhance power supply noise rejection.

Abstract: A system includes a programmable transmitter device (e.g., a PLD) connected to a programmable receiver device (e.g., another PLD) via a transmission medium for transmitting a high-speed data signal from the transmitter to the receiver. During a test mode of operation a low-speed communication link between the transmitter and receiver allows those devices to work together to transmit test signals having known characteristics from the transmitter to the receiver via the transmission medium, to analyze the test signals as received by the receiver, and to adjust at least some aspect of the system (e.g., equalizer circuitry in the receiver) to at least partly compensate for losses in the test signals as received by the receiver.

Abstract: An impedance compensation circuit for inputs of a programmable device includes programmable impedance circuits connected with input nodes. The programmable impedance circuits can be configured to apply a compensating voltages to input nodes to reduce or eliminate unwanted offset voltages. An impedance compensation circuit may include resistors in series or current sources in parallel. A set of bypass switches selectively apply each resistor or current source to an input node, thereby changing the offset voltage of the node and compensating for impedance mismatches. Control logic provides signals to control the bypass switches. The control logic may be implemented using programmable device resources, enabling the control logic to be updated and improved after the manufacturing of the device is complete. The control logic can automatically evaluate offset voltages at any time and change compensating impedances accordingly. This reduces manufacturing costs and takes into account temperature and aging effects.

Abstract: Wide range and dynamically reprogrammable CDR architecture recovers an embedded clock signal from serial input data with a wide range of operating frequencies. In order to support a wide range of data rates, the CDR architecture includes multiple operating parameters. These parameters include various pre/post divider settings, charge pump currents, loop-filter and bandwidth selections, and VCO gears. The parameters may be dynamically reprogrammed without powering down the circuitry or PLD. This allows the CDR circuitry to switch between various standards and protocols on-the-fly.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for dynamically reconfiguring programmable circuit blocks on integrated circuits during user mode. First configuration bits are loaded from first configuration scan registers into second configuration scan registers during configuration mode. The first configuration bits are used to configure programmable settings of a programmable circuit block. During user mode, second configuration bits are transmitted from a pin to the second configuration scan registers without transferring the second configuration bits through the first configuration scan registers. The second configuration bits are used to reconfigure the programmable settings of the programmable circuit block during the user mode. Also, phase shift circuitry can dynamically shift the phase of an output clock signal by selecting a different input clock signal. The phase shift circuitry has a delay circuit that allows the phase of a high frequency clock signal to be shifted without causing glitches in the clock signal.

Abstract: An H-tree driver circuit has pull-up and pull-down current sources, each of which is implemented using a low-voltage-cascode topology.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for dynamically adjusting the frequency range of phase-locked loops (PLLs). Phase detection circuitry in a PLL generates a control signal in response to a periodic input signal and a feedback signal. When the control signal deviates outside a valid range, the input frequency range of the PLL is dynamically adjusted to include the periodic input signal frequency. The input frequency range of the PLL is adjusted by changing one or more frequency ratios in the PLL. The resistance and/or capacitance of a loop filter in the PLL can be dynamically adjusted to control the bandwidth of the PLL.

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.

Abstract: A system includes a programmable transmitter device (e.g., a PLD) connected to a programmable receiver device (e.g., another PLD) via a transmission medium for transmitting a high-speed data signal from the transmitter to the receiver. During a test mode of operation a low-speed communication link between the transmitter and receiver allows those devices to work together to transmit test signals having known characteristics from the transmitter to the receiver via the transmission medium, to analyze the test signals as received by the receiver, and to adjust at least some aspect of the system (e.g., equalizer circuitry in the receiver) to at least partly compensate for losses in the test signals as received by the receiver.

Abstract: A loss-of-signal detector includes digital and analog monitoring of incoming data. The incoming signal is compared digitally to at least one predetermined pattern that may indicate a loss of signal, and also is monitored by an analog detector that detects transitions in the data. If the digital comparison fails to match any of the at least one predetermined pattern, or if transitions are detected by the analog monitoring, even if the digital comparison produces a pattern match, then loss of signal is not indicated.

Abstract: A high-speed serial interface for a programmable logic device includes a plurality of features to handle the various issues that may arise with data rates over 1 Gbps and particularly over 1.25 Gbps. Those features may include dynamic phase alignment to control clock-data skew, data realignment (e.g., bit slip circuitry) to account for channel-to-channel skew, full-duplex serializer and deserializer, out-of-range frequency support for low frequencies, and a soft-CDR mode.

Abstract: High-speed serial interface or transceiver circuitry on a programmable logic device integrated circuit (“PLD”) includes features that permit the PLD to satisfy a wide range of possible user needs or applications. This range includes both high-performance applications and applications in which reduced power consumption by the PLD is important. In the latter case, any one or more of various features can be used to help reduce power consumption.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for varying the bandwidth of a loop filter in a loop circuit (e.g., a phase-locked loop circuit). The loop filter can include first and second resistor circuitries coupled to a capacitor. One of the resistor circuitries can be coupled to an output of the loop circuit in response to selection of a mode of operation. The resistor circuitries can each include a plurality of resistors that can be selectively coupled in series to the capacitor or bypassed. In addition, the output of the loop circuit can be coupled to a second capacitor. Either or both of the capacitors can be programmable.

Abstract: A phase frequency detector compares a reference clock signal to a feedback clock signal to generate pulses in one or more output signals. The one or more output signals have a minimum pulse width. The phase frequency detector has a temperature sensing circuit. The phase frequency detector adjusts the minimum pulse width of the one or more output signals using the temperature sensing circuit to compensate for variations in the temperature of the phase frequency detector.

Abstract: Transmitter driver circuitry includes multiple output driver stages, each of which receives a respective differently-phased version of an output signal for application to an output node of the circuitry. Each stage includes a primary current source. The circuitry also includes at least one secondary current source. The secondary current source can be used to supply supplementary current to the output node to eliminate or at least substantially reduce offset at the output node.