Abstract: Circuits and methods are described for producing a DLL clock signal with adjustable phase shift using a processed control signal. In one embodiment of the invention, a DLL circuit is provided that includes a main and smaller variable delay circuits, a phase detector and an up down counter that provides a main control signal to adjust the delay by the main variable delay circuit. When the DLL circuit is locked, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) produces a processed control signal based on the main control signal, an ALU control signal and an offset control signal, and the processed control signal is provided to the smaller variable delay circuit. By adjusting the ALU control and offset control signals, the phase shift introduced on the DLL control signal by the smaller variable delay circuit can be adjusted. In another embodiment of the invention, a second up down counter is used in place of an ALU for providing a dynamically adjustable phase shift in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Abstract: Phase comparators for use in loop circuits (i.e., DLL circuits and PLL circuits) are provided. The phase comparators include a phase detector for comparing a reference clock signal and a feedback signal derived from the loop circuit generated internal clock signal. The phase comparators also include a low-pass noise filter for filtering out erroneously detected phase differences between the reference clock signal and the feedback signal by requiring a certain net number of leading or lagging detections before the compensation circuitry of the loop circuit (i.e., the controlled delay line in a DLL circuit or the controlled oscillator in a PLL circuit) is adjusted. The number of net measurements required before these adjustments take place depends on a programmable bandwidth signal provided to the phase comparator.

Abstract: A memory cell of a programmable device includes a memory partitioning circuit to partition a multiple port memory device into one or more single port memory partitions. The memory partitioning circuit prevents cross addressing by setting the value of one or more address lines of each memory port to a fixed value. The memory partitioning circuit holds address lines at their required values during the programmable device's normal, clear, and reset modes of operation. The behavior of the memory partitioning circuit is set by a portion of a device configuration used to configure the programmable device. The memory partitioning circuit is connected between a memory cell's address register and row or column decoders used to access the multiple port memory device. The memory partitioning circuit can also perform bit-wise inversion operations on portions of the memory addresses.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for updating the control signal received by a delay chain in a DDR application. A register is used to regulate the control signal to the delay chain. The register only updates the signal at the delay chain when a signal is not passing through the delay chain. Additionally, the present invention is directed to a delay circuit that uses a plurality of PMOS and NMOS transistors connected in parallel to each other and to an inverter that provides the desired delay. The delay provided is achieved by sequentially turning off/on a series of the NMOS/PMOS transistor pairs.

Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus for filtering signals at a high-speed data interface. One exemplary embodiment is particularly configured to filter a clock signal at the end of a data burst received by a double-data rate memory interface. A clock input port is either connected or disconnected to an input cell. When a data burst is to be received, the clock input port is connected to the input cell. When the data burst concludes, the clock input port is disconnected from the input cell. In a specific embodiment, a signal is received indicating that a data burst is about to begin and the clock input port is connected to the input cell. The signal later changes state indicating that the last data bit is being received. When the last clock edge corresponding to the last data bit is received, the clock input port is disconnected from the input cell.

Abstract: Phase comparators for use in loop circuits (i.e., DLL circuits and PLL circuits) are provided. The phase comparators include a phase detector for comparing a reference clock signal and a feedback signal derived from the loop circuit generated internal clock signal. The phase comparators also include a low-pass noise filter for filtering out erroneously detected phase differences between the reference clock signal and the feedback signal by requiring a certain net number of leading or lagging detections before the compensation circuitry of the loop circuit (i.e., the controlled delay line in a DLL circuit or the controlled oscillator in a PLL circuit) is adjusted. The number of net measurements required before these adjustments take place depends on a programmable bandwidth signal provided to the phase comparator.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a dual-port SRAM in a programmable logic device. One embodiment provides a programmable logic integrated circuit including a dual-port memory. The memory includes a plurality of memory storage cells, and each memory storage cell has a memory cell having a first node and a second node, a first series of devices connected between a first data line and the first node of the memory cell, and a second series of devices connected between a second data line and the second node of the memory cell. A read cell is connected to the second node of the memory cell. A word line is connected to a first device in the first series of devices, a second device in the second series of devices, and the read cell.

Abstract: A supply voltage detection circuit determines when the voltage for any one of the power supply signals received by an integrated circuit device is below its steady state level, as may occur during a hot socket condition when the device is inserted in or removed from a powered-on system. A first detection circuit determines when the first supply voltage level is below its steady state level, and a second detection circuit determines when the second supply voltage level is below its steady state level. A logic circuit provides a detected condition signal that disables current flow through an input/output terminal associated with the supply voltage detection circuit. The circuit is able to rapidly detect hot socket conditions for a wide range of power supply signal levels, including low supply signal levels, while limiting leakage current effects.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for recycling addresses in memory blocks. Address signals in memory blocks are stored temporarily in a set of parallel coupled address registers. The address registers transfer the address signals to an address decoder block, which decodes the address signals. The address decoder block transfers the decoded addresses to a memory array. A stall state occurs when the cache memory block needs a new set of data to replace the old set of data. Address signals are stored in the address registers during the stall state by coupling each register's output to its data input using a series of multiplexers. The multiplexers are controlled by an address stall signal that indicates the onset and the end of a stall state. After the end of a stall state, the address registers store the next address signal received at the memory block.

Abstract: Method and circuitry for implementing high speed multiple-data-rate interface architectures for programmable logic devices. The invention partitions I/O pins and their corresponding registers into independent multiple-data rate I/O modules each having at least one pin dedicated to the strobe signal DQS and others to DQ data signals. The modular architecture facilitates pin migration from one generation of PLDs to the next larger generation.

Abstract: A programmable I/O element for an I/O terminal of a logic array is suitable for operating according to high speed I/O modes such as double data rate and zero bus turnaround. The I/O element may include an input block with two registers for registering input signals from the terminal upon alternate clock edges. In addition or alternatively, it may include an output block with two registers that separately register output signals from the array on the same clock edge and a multiplexer that alternately outputs those signals. For bidirectional terminals, the multiplexer output is connectable to the I/O terminal via an output buffer, and an output enable block provides an enable signal to a gating input of the output buffer. Programmable delays may be included in the input, output, and output enable paths, in particular to provide a slower turn-on time than turn-off time for the output buffer.

Abstract: Techniques for preloading data into memory blocks on a programmable circuit are provided. Memory blocks on the a programmable circuit each have dedicated circuitry that loads data into the memory block. The dedicated circuit also generates memory addresses used to load the data into the memory block. The dedicated circuitry associated with each memory block reduces demand on the routing resources. A user can preload data into the memory blocks prior to user mode. A user can also prevent data from being preloaded into one or more of the memory blocks prior to user mode. By allowing the user to program some or all of the memory blocks prior to user mode, the time needed to a program the memory blocks prior to user mode can be substantially reduced.

Abstract: A switch circuit selectively provides a reference voltage, needed in some I/O standards, to a logic device. The circuit receives a dedicated power supply that is different from the device's I/O supply. It may also include a level shifting circuit for converting a master control signal having a logic level determined by a first supply to a first control signal having a logic level determined by the dedicated supply. The switch circuit also includes a transmission switch that passes the reference voltage to an output in response to at least the first control signal. The transmission switch may be a CMOS transmission gate with at least one NMOS transistor controlled by the first control signal in parallel with at least one PMOS transistor controlled by a second control signal, complementary to the first. The second control signal may be generated by another level shifting circuit and have a logic level determined by the I/O supply.

Abstract: A Schmitt trigger circuit has an adjustable hysteresis characteristic by providing a plurality of feedback circuits that differently affect at least one, and preferably both, of the circuit's upper trip point level and lower trip point level. The upper trip point level can be adjusted by selecting a desired feedback circuit from a first set of feedback circuits, and/or the lower trip point level can be adjusted by selecting a desired feedback circuit from a second set of feedback circuits. Feedback circuit selection is achieved by one or more control signals that may be programmable. The hysteresis characteristic can be adjusted to meet desired noise margin, delay, and input recognition criteria at different VCC levels. The Schmitt trigger circuit may be a CMOS Schmitt trigger with two input stage NMOS, two input stage PMOS transistors, a first set of NMOS feedback circuits, and a second set of PMOS feedback circuits.

Abstract: A supply voltage detection circuit determines when the voltage for any one of the power supply signals received by an integrated circuit device is below its steady state level, as may occur during a hot socket condition when the device is inserted in or removed from a powered-on system. A first detection circuit determines when the first supply voltage level is below its steady state level, and a second detection circuit determines when the second supply voltage level is below its steady state level. A logic circuit provides a detected condition signal that disables current flow through an input/output terminal associated with the supply voltage detection circuit. The circuit is able to rapidly detect hot socket conditions for a wide range of power supply signal levels, including low supply signal levels, while limiting leakage current effects.

Abstract: A programmable I/O element for an I/O terminal of a logic array is suitable for operating according to high speed 110 modes such as double data rate and zero bus turnaround. The I/O element may include an input block with two registers for registering input signals from the terminal upon alternate clock edges. In addition or alternatively, it may include an output block with two registers that separately register output signals from the array on the same clock edge and a multiplexer that alternately outputs those signals. For bidirectional terminals, the multiplexer output is connectable to the I/O terminal via an output buffer, and an output enable block provides an enable signal to a gating input of the output buffer. Programmable delays may be included in the input, output, and output enable paths, in particular to provide a slower turn-on time than turn-off time for the output buffer.

Abstract: An input buffer circuit has a plurality of selectively enabled differential amplifier circuits, where each differential amplifier is configured for compatibility with a particular differential I/O standard and its corresponding input operating range. For example, the input buffer may have two differential amplifiers suitable for receiving LVDS differential input signals over a wide input operating range, and another differential amplifier suitable for receiving the PCML differential input signals. One or more control signals are provided to the input buffer, e.g., programmably, to selectively enable the required differential amplifier(s) for a given I/O standard.

Abstract: Method and circuitry for implementing high speed multiple-data-rate interface architectures for programmable logic devices. The invention partitions I/O pins and their corresponding registers into independent multiple-data rate I/O modules each having at least one pin dedicated to the strobe signal DQS and others to DQ data signals. The modular architecture facilitates pin migration from one generation of PLDs to the next larger generation.

Abstract: Techniques and circuitry are used to more rapidly configuring programmable integrated circuits. Configuration data is input into a programmable integrated circuit in parallel via parallel inputs (705), and this data is also handled internally in parallel. The configuration data will be stored in a data register (722). This data register includes two or more serial register chains, each chain being made up of a serial chain of registers. The configuration data is input into the two of more chains of the data registers in parallel. Circuitry is also provided to handle redundancy.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for decoding addresses in a memory to provide mixed input and output data widths. A method includes receiving an address portion comprising a first number of bits. A second number of bits of the address portion are blocked, where the second number is less than the first number. A third number of bits are not blocked, and the third number plus the second number equal the first number. The third number of bits are decoded and a fourth number of memory cells are selected. The fourth number is equal to two to the power of the second number. A fourth number of data bits are received and multiplexed to the selected memory cells. The data bits are written to the selected memory cells.