Patents by Inventor William S. Webster

William S. Webster 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: 5488317
    Abstract: An FPGA having a plurality of logic modules with configurable output drivers (8) to enable outputs (y) of several logic modules to be wired together. The output driver (8) comprises a n-channel and a p-channel driver transistor (16, 20) which are connected to a signal (I/O) when no wired outputs (y) are desired. If two or more outputs (y) are to be connected to enable a wired logic function, p-channel transistor (16) is disabled. Then, a weak pull-up transistor (18) may be provided. Alternatively, a senseamp may be provided to the connected outputs (y).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: William S. Webster, David D. Wilmoth
  • Patent number: 5399923
    Abstract: A field programmable gate array (10) having a plurality of logic modules (31-35) has a pair of driver circuits (51-52) connected between each logic module (31) and logic module interconnection tracks or lines (12-16, 20-23) (51-52). Each of the drivers (51-52) has an input connected to receive a common output signal from the associated logic module (31). The output from each of the driver circuits (51-52) is selectively connectable to one of the interconnection tracks by a different respective antifuse (27). The output of each driver circuit (51-52) has a current magnitude less than a level that would damage the antifuse (27) but greater than a predetermined level, so that the track capacitances can be charged as rapidly as possible to increase the propagation time of a signal in the array. In one embodiment (10), the respective logic module interconnection lines or tracks 12 to which the pair of antifuses are connected are different logic module interconnection lines (12, 13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: William S. Webster, David D. Wilmoth
  • Patent number: 5041746
    Abstract: A sense amplifier (38) uses a current source (40) to pull-up a product line (14) during as low-to-high transition. After a desired voltage is reached on the product line (14), the current source is turned off by a delay feedback circuit (44). A hold-up circuit (42) holds the product line at the desired voltage until a high-to-low transition occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: William S. Webster, Daniel D. Edmondson