Patents by Inventor Steven P. Young

Steven P. Young 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).

  • Publication number: 20110215834
    Abstract: A programmable integrated circuit (IC) with mirrored interconnect structure. The IC includes a plurality of arrangements, which are horizontally arranged. Each arrangement includes a first logic column, an interconnect column, and a second logic column. Each interconnect column includes programmable interconnect blocks (148), and each of the first and second logic columns includes programmable logic blocks. Each programmable interconnect block provides a plurality of first input and output ports on a first side and a plurality of second input and output ports on a second side. The first ports and the first side of each of the programmable interconnect blocks physically mirror the second ports and the second side of the programmable interconnect block. The ports of the programmable interconnect blocks are coupled to the ports of the programmable logic blocks in the first and second logic columns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: XILINX, INC.
    Inventors: Trevor J. Bauer, Ramakrishna K. Tanikella, Steven P. Young
  • Patent number: 8001511
    Abstract: A method of modeling two IC dies using the same software model, although the two dies include physical differences. A first programmable logic device (PLD) die includes first and second portions, and is encoded to render the first portion operational and the second portion non-operational. At a boundary between the two portions, interconnect lines traversing the boundary include a first section in the first portion and a second section in the second portion. The second PLD die includes the first portion of the first PLD die, while omitting the second portion. The interconnect lines extending to the edge of the second die are coupled together in pairs. A software model for both die includes a termination model that omits the pair coupling, adds an RC load compensating for the omitted connection, and (for bidirectional interconnect lines) flags one interconnect line in each pair as being invalid for use by routing software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventors: Trevor J. Bauer, Jeffrey V. Lindholm, F. Erich Goetting, Bruce E. Talley, Ramakrishna K. Tanikella, Steven P. Young
  • Patent number: 7982496
    Abstract: A bus-based logic block for an integrated circuit includes a provision for placing an arbitrary constant onto a data bus in the logic block. An exemplary logic block has multi-bit first and second inputs and a multi-bit output. The logic block includes a multi-bit multiplexer circuit, a multi-bit programmable logic circuit, and a constant generator circuit. The multiplexer circuit has a multi-bit first input coupled to a multi-bit first input of the logic block, a multi-bit second input, and a multi-bit output. The programmable logic circuit has a multi-bit first input coupled to the output of the multiplexer circuit, and a multi-bit output. The constant generator circuit has a multi-bit output coupled to the second input of the multiplexer circuit. Each bit of the logic block may be commonly controlled with all other bits of the logic block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven P. Young
  • Publication number: 20110147949
    Abstract: An embodiment of a method to form a hybrid integrated circuit device is described. This embodiment of the method comprises: forming a first die using a first lithography, where the first die is on a substrate; and forming a second die using a second lithography, where the second die is on the first die. The first lithography used to form the first die is a larger lithography than the second lithography used to form the second die. The first die is an IO die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: XILINX, INC.
    Inventors: James Karp, Steven P. Young, Bernard J. New, Scott S. Nance, Patrick J. Crotty
  • Patent number: 7965102
    Abstract: A columnar programmable device (PD) design converted to a columnar application specific integrated circuit-like (ASIC-like) design is described. A user design is instantiated in a PD having a columnar architecture associated with the columnar PD design. The columnar architecture has adjacent columns of circuitry, and one or more of the columns of circuitry as associated with instantiation of the user design in the PD are identified. At least a portion of one or more of the identified columns are swapped with application specific circuitry for implementing all or part of the user design for converting the columnar PD design to the columnar ASIC-like design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventors: Trevor J. Bauer, Steven P. Young
  • Patent number: 7948265
    Abstract: Circuits for implementing logic replication in self-timed integrated circuits are provided. An exemplary circuit includes first and second copies of a replicated circuit, an input circuit, an output circuit, and a pipelined routing path. The first and second copies each have a self-timed input and a self-timed output. The input circuit provides a self-timed input signal alternately to the self-timed inputs of the first and second copies. The output circuit receives the self-timed output from the first copy and the self-timed output from the second copy, and outputs a selected one of the self-timed outputs based on a value of a self-timed select signal. The pipelined routing path routes the self-timed select signal from the input circuit to the output circuit. The number of pipeline stages in the pipelined routing path can be different from, e.g., less than, the number of stages in both the first and second copies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven P. Young, Brian C. Gaide
  • Patent number: 7919845
    Abstract: Formation of a hybrid integrated circuit device is described. A design for the integrated circuit is obtained and separated into at least two portions responsive to component sizes. A first die is formed for a first portion of the hybrid integrated circuit device using at least in part a first minimum dimension lithography. A second die is formed for a second portion of the device using at least in part a second minimum dimension lithography, where the second die has the second minimum dimension lithography as a smallest lithography used for the forming of the second die. The first die and the second die are attached to one another via coupling interconnects respectively thereof to provide the hybrid integrated circuit device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventors: James Karp, Steven P. Young, Bernard J. New, Scott S. Nance, Patrick J. Crotty
  • Patent number: 7902863
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for configuring a programmable integrated circuit are described. In one example, a configuration stream having first data for programming first locations in a configuration memory and an instruction for referencing circuitry in the programmable integrated circuit is received. Second data is obtained from the circuitry based on the instruction. Second locations in the configuration memory are programmed in response to the second data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Tetzlaff, Daniel J. Ferris, III, Steven P. Young
  • Patent number: 7895509
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for error checking information is described. Configuration data includes data bits and parity bits. Notably, parity bits may be relocated for determining a syndrome value. Syndrome bits are determined by computing a partial syndrome value for each word serially transmitted of the configuration data, where the configuration data includes one or more data vectors. Location of each word of the configuration data is identified. It is determined whether a partial syndrome value is an initial partial syndrome value or other partial syndrome value responsive to word location. An initial partial syndrome value is stored, and subsequent partial syndrome values are cumulatively added for each word of a data vector to arrive at a syndrome value for the data vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren E. Cory, David P. Schultz, Steven P. Young
  • Patent number: 7759973
    Abstract: A clock distribution network having: a backbone clock signal line configured to provide a differential clock signal; multiple branches coupled to the backbone clock signal line for distributing the differential clock signal to multiple programmable function elements; a first leaf node coupled to a first branch, where the first leaf node is configured to provide the differential clock signal to a first programmable function element; and a second leaf node coupled to a second branch, where the second leaf node is configured to provide a single ended clock signal derived from the differential clock signal to a second programmable function element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventors: Vasisht Mantra Vadi, Steven P. Young, Atul V. Ghia, Adebabay M. Bekele, Suresh M. Menon
  • Patent number: 7759974
    Abstract: Integrated circuits (ICs) having pipelined unidirectional programmable interconnect structures are provided. Substantially similar logic blocks in an IC each include at least one storage element driving an output of the logic block. The IC also includes programmable routing structures, each of which includes at least one storage element unidirectionally driving an output of the routing structure without traversing any pass gates. Each routing structure has at least one unidirectional output that drives another of the routing structures or one of the logic blocks. Each logic block has at least one output that drives an input of a programmable routing structure. The logic blocks and the programmable routing structures may be interconnected by unidirectional data lines organized as multi-bit busses coupled to multi-bit ports of the logic blocks and routing structures. Each routing structure may include a handshake circuit coupled to control all bits in one of the multi-bit busses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven P. Young
  • Patent number: 7746104
    Abstract: A programmable integrated circuit includes a plurality of interconnected logic blocks, each including a logic circuit and an output multiplexer circuit. The output multiplexer circuit includes a first multiplexer having first and second data inputs respectively coupled to first and second outputs of the logic circuit, a select input coupled to an output of another logic block, and a first data output. A second output multiplexer may also have first and second data inputs respectively coupled to the first and second outputs of the logic circuit, a select input coupled to the output of the another logic block, and a second data output. The output multiplexer circuit is programmably coupled, in one of a plurality of operating modes, to provide an output token with the first output of each logic block only when the output multiplexer circuit of the logic block receives tokens indicating valid new data on each of the first, second, and select inputs of the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C. Gaide, Steven P. Young
  • Patent number: 7746101
    Abstract: A cascading input structure for logic blocks in an integrated circuit. An exemplary integrated circuit includes a plurality of substantially similar logic blocks arrayed to form a column of the logic blocks, and a self-timed vertical cascade chain. Each of the logic blocks has self-timed first and second inputs. The vertical cascade chain has a plurality of self-timed outputs, each of the self-timed outputs being coupled to a first self-timed input of a corresponding logic block in the column. In some embodiments, each logic block includes a multiply block having first and second self-timed inputs, where each output of the vertical cascade chain is coupled to the first input of the multiply block in the corresponding logic block. In some embodiments having a multiply block in the logic block, the inputs and output may not be self-timed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven P. Young
  • Patent number: 7746106
    Abstract: Circuits enabling feedback paths in a self-timed integrated circuit. Each of a plurality of interconnected logic blocks includes a logic circuit having first and second outputs, and means for placing, during an initial cycle, a self-timed first data signal on the second output onto a logic block output, and for placing, during subsequent cycles, a self-timed second data signal on a selected one of the first or second outputs onto the logic block output. Initially, an output token is provided only when valid new data is received on the second output and on a select signal. Subsequently, the output token is provided only when either the first output of the logic circuit is selected, and valid new data is received on the first output and on the select signal; or the second output of the logic circuit is selected, and valid new data is received on the first and second outputs and on the select signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C. Gaide, Steven P. Young
  • Patent number: 7746112
    Abstract: A cascading output structure for logic blocks in an integrated circuit. An exemplary integrated circuit includes an array of interconnected logic blocks, each including a logic circuit, an output multiplexer, and a select multiplexer. The logic circuit has an input coupled to a logic block input. The output multiplexer has first and second data inputs respectively coupled to first and second outputs of the logic circuit, a select input, and an output coupled to a logic block output. The select multiplexer has a first data input coupled to a cascade select input of the logic block, a second data input, and an output coupled to the select input of the output multiplexer. The output of the select multiplexer is also coupled to a cascade select output of the logic block. The cascade select input of the logic block is coupled to the cascade select output of an adjacent logic block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C. Gaide, Steven P. Young
  • Patent number: 7746113
    Abstract: A circuit structure implements a logical AND gate that operates correctly when provided with inputs at two different power-high voltages. The circuit structure includes a pulsed driver circuit operating at a first power high voltage, and an AND logic circuit operating at a second power high voltage higher than the first power high voltage. The pulsed driver circuit has an input operating at the first power high voltage and provides an output operating at the first power high voltage. The first input of the AND logic circuit operates at the second power high voltage, the second input of the AND logic circuit is coupled to the output of the pulsed driver circuit and operates at the first power high voltage, and the output of the AND logic circuit operates at the second power high voltage. An exemplary implementation of the AND logic circuit is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven P. Young
  • Patent number: 7746108
    Abstract: Integrated circuits having a compute-centric architecture. An integrated circuit may include an array of interconnected substantially similar logic blocks, each including a multiplier circuit and a lookup table circuit. The multiplier circuit has first and second inputs coupled to first and second data inputs of the logic block, and an output, and may include a non-uniform array of sub-circuits. The lookup table circuit has a first input coupled to a third data input of the logic block, a second input coupled to the output of the multiplier circuit, and an output coupled to a data output of the logic block. The multiplier circuits in adjacent logic blocks may be coupled together via a multi-bit partial product bus. Optional storage elements store the first and second inputs and the output of the multiplier circuit, the partial product bus, and the output of the lookup table circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven P. Young, Brian C. Gaide
  • Patent number: 7746111
    Abstract: Circuits for implementing gating logic in a self-timed integrated circuit. An integrated circuit includes a plurality of interconnected logic blocks, each including a logic circuit and an output circuit. Each output circuit has a data input coupled to an output of the logic circuit, a gating input, and a data output coupled to an output of the logic block. The output circuit is coupled to place a value on the data input onto the data output when the gating input has a first value and the output circuit receives tokens indicating valid new data on both the data input and the gating input of the output circuit. The output circuit is coupled to leave the data output unchanged when the gating input has a second value and the output circuit receives a token indicating valid new data on both the data and gating inputs of the output circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C. Gaide, Steven P. Young
  • Patent number: 7746109
    Abstract: An exemplary circuit for implementing logic sharing in self-timed circuits includes a shared logic circuit, an input circuit, an output circuit, and a pipelined routing path. The shared logic circuit has first and second self-timed inputs and first and second self-timed outputs. The input circuit is coupled to output a selected one of the first or second self-timed inputs to the shared logic circuit, the selected one of the first or second inputs being determined by an arbitration circuit within the input circuit, and further to output a self-timed select signal. The output circuit is coupled to receive the first and second self-timed outputs from the shared logic circuit and to provide a selected one of the first or second outputs, the selected output being determined by the self-timed select signal. The pipelined routing path routes the self-timed enable signal from the input circuit to the output circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven P. Young, Brian C. Gaide
  • Patent number: 7746110
    Abstract: Circuits for fanning out data in a self-timed integrated circuit. An exemplary integrated circuit includes a plurality of interconnected logic blocks, each including a logic circuit and an output circuit. The output circuit has a first data input coupled to a first output of the logic circuit, a second data input coupled to a second output of the logic circuit, and a data output coupled to a first output of the logic block. The data output reflects a value on the first data input. The output circuit is programmably coupled, in one of a plurality of operating modes, to provide an output token only when the first data input is accompanied by a first token indicating valid new data on the first data input. The output circuit is further programmably coupled to consume, when the output token is provided, both the first token and a second token accompanying the second data input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C. Gaide, Steven P. Young