Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) design includes configurable circuits arranged in a mesh structure to facilitate routing of signals between different platforms or logic blocks within the design. Each configurable circuit has a semiconductor element with input and output terminals in a first semiconductor layer, input/output (I/O) ports corresponding to directions of the mesh structure in a second semiconductor layer, configurable input vias to allow a signal traveling in a first direction to be received, and configurable output vias that allow an output signal to be output from the configurable circuit in a second direction.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method that defines a set of connections that connect the nodes in a configurable node array. The method identifies different sets of connections for connecting a set of the nodes. For each identified set of connections, the method computes a metric score that quantifies a quality of the identified set of connections. The method then selects one of the identified sets of connections to connect the configurable nodes in the array.

Abstract: Techniques for determining resistances of analog routes in electronic designs are described herein. In an example embodiment, a computer system receives first user input that indicates, in a user interface, a first component in an electronic design. The electronic design has been placed and routed for a programmable target device. The computer system receives second user input that selects, in the user interface, a particular component from one or more second components of the electronic design, where the one or more second components have analog connectivity to the first component. The computer system determines a resistance value of an analog route between the first component and the particular component, and displays the resistance value in association with the analog route in the user interface.

Abstract: A circuit design system 10 includes storage means 11 to store structure description information 11a of a reconfigurable circuit including an array of cells 1 including a plurality of switches 2, and application circuit netlist information 11b used to specify an application, circuit generation unit 12a to generate structure description information 11a based on the structure description information 11a and the application circuit netlist information 11b stored in the storage means 11, and circuit evaluation unit 12b to evaluate the structure description information 11a generated by the circuit generation unit 12a, wherein the circuit generation unit 12a generates the structure description information 11a by deleting at least one of the switches 2 from the structure description information 11a based on an evaluation result obtained by the circuit evaluation unit 12b.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for allowing components such as buffers, multiplexers, ingress cores, etc. on a device such as a programmable chip to configure themselves based on parameter information. In some examples, self-configuring components obtain parameter information from adjacent components. In other examples, self-configuring components obtain parameter information from a system environment or a processor register. Component self-configuration can occur at a variety of times including preprocessing, simulation, and run-time.

Abstract: Circuits, architectures, a system and methods for providing multiple power rails to a plurality of standard cells in a region of an integrated circuit. The circuitry generally includes a plurality of cells configured for connection to a first or second power rail, the first power rail providing a first voltage to at least one of the plurality of cells, and the second power rail providing a second voltage (which may be independent from the first voltage) to remaining cells in the plurality of cells. The method generally includes routing, in an IC layout, a first power rail providing a first voltage and a second power rail providing a second voltage, placing the plurality of cells, and selectively connecting first and second subsets of the plurality of cells to the first and second power rails, respectively. The present invention further advantageously minimizes regional layout design considerations and time delays.

Abstract: An innovative realization of computer hardware, software and firmware comprising a multiprocessor system wherein at least one processor can be configured to have a fixed instruction set and one or more processors can be statically or dynamically configured to implement a plurality of processor states in a plurality of technologies. The processor states may be instructions sets for the processors. The technologies may include programmable logic arrays.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a gate array layer having a two-dimensional array of logic gates, each logic gate including multiple transistors. At least one upper template-based metal layer is coupled to the gate array layer and is configured to define at least one of a power distribution network, a clock network and a global signal network. A configuration of traces attic upper template-based metal layer is at least mainly predetermined prior to design of the integrated circuit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Network on chip comprising a torus matrix of processing elements formed by a juxtaposition of bricks in rows and columns, each brick comprising a longitudinal extra-connection bus segment connecting two terminals situated on opposite transverse edges of the brick on a first axis; two longitudinal intra-connection bus segments connecting circuits of the brick to respective terminals situated on the opposite transverse edges on a second axis symmetrical to the first axis with respect to the center of the brick; a transverse extra-connection bus segment connecting two terminals situated on opposite longitudinal edges of the brick on a third axis; and two transverse intra-connection bus segments connecting circuits of the brick to respective terminals situated on the opposite longitudinal edges on a fourth axis symmetrical to the third axis with respect to the center of the brick.

Abstract: Clock distribution circuitry for a structured ASIC device includes a deterministic portion and configurable portions. The deterministic portion employs a predetermined arrangement of conductor segments and buffers for distributing a clock signal to a plurality of predetermined locations on the device. From each predetermined location, an associated configurable portion of the clock distribution circuitry distributes the clock signal to any clock utilization circuitry needing that clock signal in a predetermined area of the structured ASIC that is served from that predetermined location.

Abstract: A programmable transistor array circuit is disclosed comprising a semiconductor substrate; and a plurality of basic transistor units (BTUs) arranged in rows and columns of uniformly spaced cells, the BTUs further comprising PMOS transistor units (PTUs), NMOS transistor units (NTUs) and dummy transistor units (DTUs) each BTU having conductors arranged in a single direction running through the BTUs and the conductors being uniformly spaced with respect to each other. The arrangement of the BTUs is subject to restricted design rules. Logical transistor units (LTUs) are formed from the BTUs using first and second layers of metallization. Additional embodiments are disclosed incorporating the programmable transistor array circuit.

Abstract: A reconfigurable logic block has a first circuit that configures an arithmetic circuit and a second circuit that configures a circuit outside of the arithmetic circuit. A plurality of different circuits are configured by changing the settings of predetermined signals in the first and second circuits.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for implementing a circuit design for an integrated circuit includes: (a) obtaining a first wiring to satisfy a given operating frequency; (b) calculating a maximum bypass wiring length based on the given operating frequency and a critical path of the first wiring; (c) obtaining a second wiring by bypassing the first wiring using wires other than wires of the first wiring in a first wiring group, wherein wiring of the integrated circuit is categorized into a plurality of wiring groups, and the first wiring is included in the first wiring group of the categorized wiring groups; and (d) replacing the first wiring with the second wiring, if a difference between the second wiring and the first wiring is not larger than the maximum bypass wiring length, and not replacing the first wiring if said difference is larger than the maximum bypass wiring length.

Abstract: A method for designing a system on a target device includes identifying candidate portions in the system to preserve based on similarities between the system and another system. Preservation criteria are applied on the candidate portions in the system to preserve to identify portions of the system to preserve. Design results from the another system are reused for portions in the system that are preserved.

Abstract: An automated system, and method of operating the same, for interactively routing interconnections in a layout of an integrated circuit. Interconnections among subchips in the integrated circuit, specified by a netlist, are displayed by the system by way of airlines. The system provides a symbolic view of the bus, showing a representative wire of the bus, such as that associated with the least-significant or most-significant bit position in the bus. The physical routing of the representative wire is interactively defined, using orthogonal wire segments in selected conductor levels. Bus properties, for example including bit pitch, wire pitch, LSB/MSB, and a direction of expansion, are associated with the routing data for each segment of the representative wire. The combination of the routing data and the bus property data enable building of the entire bus from the interactive routing of the representative wire in the symbolic view.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for camouflaging an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), wherein the ASIC comprises a plurality of interconnected functional logic is disclosed. The method adds functionally inert elements to the logical description or provides alternative definitions of standard logical cells to make it difficult for reverse engineering programs to be used to discover the circuit's function. Additionally, post processing may be performed on GDS layers to provide a realistic fill of the empty space so as to resemble structural elements found in a functional circuit.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for configuring a programmable integrated circuit including a number of function blocks. In one embodiment, the system includes a programmable integrated circuit including a number of function blocks, and a host computing device to configure the number of function blocks to perform a number of functions. The host computing device utilizes a graphical user interface to provide specification of configuration parameters of the function blocks, and the graphical user interface updates a given configuration parameter if a value of the given configuration parameter is affected by a value specified for another configuration parameter. Other embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: Approaches for estimating power consumption of a circuit based on a circuit design. For one or more modules of the design, data are input that indicate measured power consumption and circuit resources used by the one or more modules. For one or more other parts of the design, values of parameters are input that specify an operating speed and a resource count. Process-corner, voltage, and temperature values are input. An estimated level of power consumption is determined as a function of the measured power consumption, the values of the parameters, and the values of the process-corner, voltage, and temperature. Data indicative of the estimated level of power consumption are output.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for configuring a base platform having ASIC and FPGA modules to perform a plurality of functions. A verified RTL hardware description of a circuit is mapped and annotated to identify memory programmable functions. The memory programmable functions are grouped for assignment to FPGA modules. The non-memory programmable functions are synthesized to ASIC modules, and the memory programmable functions are synthesized to FPGA modules. Placement, signal routing and boundary timing closure are completed and the platform is configured by adding metallization layer(s) to configure the ASIC modules and creating a firmware memory to configure the FPGA modules. An over-provisioning feature in the FPGA modules permits post-fabrication alteration of logic functions.

Abstract: A computer-readable medium storing a design program causing a computer to execute a process is provided. The process includes virtually routing, when routing of a wire to be connected between a first component and a second component at least one of which includes a swapping pin is being designed, the wire to be connected between a first pin of the first component and a first counterpart pin of the second component such that implementation of an actual routed wire connected therebetween is secured regardless of a net allocated to the swapping pin, and swapping one of the virtually routed first pin and the virtually routed first counterpart pin with the swapping pin such that the net allocated to the swapping pin is identical to a net allocated to the other one of the virtually routed first pin and the virtually routed first counterpart pin.

Abstract: A method for designing a system on a field programmable gate array (FPGA) includes routing one or more booster wires alongside an interconnect to reduce a delay of a signal being transmitted on the interconnect. According to one aspect of the present invention, the routing of the one or more booster wires is performed in response to determining that a timing requirement of the system has not been met.

Abstract: A method of implementing a circuit design within a programmable integrated circuit (IC) can include identifying an implementation directive embedded within a register transfer level (RTL) description of the circuit design and determining components of a sub-circuit of the circuit design, wherein the sub-circuit is specified by a portion of the RTL description associated with the implementation directive. The sub-circuit can be placed for the programmable IC and routed for the programmable IC according to the implementation directive. A programmatic description of the sub-circuit specifying placement and routing information can be output.

Abstract: A method for designing a system on a programmable logic device (PLD) is disclosed. Routing resources are selected for a user specified signal on the PLD in response to user specified routing constraints. Routing resources are selected for a non-user specified signal on the PLD without utilizing the user specified routing constraints.

Abstract: A reconfigurable device includes an arrangement of a plurality of cells and routing resources for transmitting signals between the cells. The plurality of cells comprises carry-select reuse cells, each of the carry-select reuse cells configured to provide for performing non-arithmetic operations using a reuse arithmetic carry chain interconnecting adjacent cells.

Abstract: A three-dimensional semiconductor device, comprising: a circuit block located in a first module layer; and a configuration circuit to control the circuit block further comprising a configurable element in a second module layer positioned above the first module layer.

Abstract: Circuits, architectures, a system and methods for providing multiple power rails to a plurality of standard cells in a region of an integrated circuit. The circuitry generally includes a plurality of cells configured for connection to a first or second power rail, the first power rail providing a first voltage to at least one of the plurality of cells, and the second power rail providing a second voltage (which may be independent from the first voltage) to remaining cells in the plurality of cells. The method generally includes routing, in an IC layout, a first power rail providing a first voltage and a second power rail providing a second voltage, placing the plurality of cells, and selectively connecting first and second subsets of the plurality of cells to the first and second power rails, respectively. The present invention further advantageously minimizes regional layout design considerations and time delays.

Abstract: A method of increasing an initial threshold voltage (Vt) of selected devices. The method includes designing devices with desired antenna effects and adjusting an increase in Vt of some devices to specific values. The desired antenna effects produce a desired threshold voltage of the devices.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a hole is formed within an LE array of a PLD by interrupting the LE array base signal routing architecture such that a hole is left for IP function block to be incorporated. An interface region is provided for interfacing the remaining LE array base signal routing architecture to the IP function block.

Abstract: Embodiments of the claimed subject matter are directed to methods and a system that use a standardized grid of clock buffers to automatically route clocks according to a uniform clock grid throughout an ASIC of a non-uniform arrangement of non-uniformly sized logic partitions. According to one embodiment, clock sources and sinks are mapped to grid point locations and a novel grid routing process is performed to link them together. A clock routing macro is assigned to a corresponding partition and associated with the corresponding partition or logic unit according to a partition hierarchy. The underlying routing structure and resources of a clock routing macro are automatically renamed to correspond to the local partition in a script or schedule of programmed instructions, or a routing map. The position of blockages within a partition may also be detected and alternate routes for traversing the blockage may be preemptively determined as well.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and/or structures, and methods for fabricating the same are disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention allow for production of customized products, while also minimizing production steps, avoiding some or all photolithography steps, and reducing overall production costs. Using selective deposition and patterning methods such as printing, to form metal and/or dielectric layer(s) on substrates where one or more device circuit components are pre-made in a factory, but which require further processing to obtain an electrically functional circuit, results in the ability for a user/consumer to make custom, specific and/or unique electrically functional circuits without incurring the cost and complexity of a full fabrication to form and pattern all of the layers.

Abstract: A pool of die designs includes die designs having metal programmable base layers. Die designs from the pool are selected for use in fabricating dies. Die designs are added to the pool by customization of die designs already in the pool or by preparing custom die designs that incorporate a metal programmable base layer. In some embodiments multi-tile dies are provided with I/O slots configurable for either inter tile communication or inter die communication.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method to automatically generate a pad ring for a programmable logic device implementation of an integrated circuit is contemplated. The pad ring that will be used in the integrated circuit itself may include pad logic (e.g. to support boundary scan and other forms of testing), custom driver/receiver circuitry, etc. The pad ring in the programmable logic device, on the other hand, may be predetermined as part of the production of the programmable logic device. The generation may include removing the pad logic and other pad-related circuitry from one or more design files that represent the integrated circuit, as well as mapping the input, output, and input/output signals of the integrated circuit to the available programmable logic device pads.

Abstract: A method is provided for preparing a plurality of systems that include respective programmable integrated circuits (ICs) of the same type. A plurality of circuit designs is partitioned into a base design and respective supplemental designs. The base design includes a set of input/output pins utilized by any of the plurality of circuit designs. A supplemental bitstream is generated for each of the supplemental designs. A first bitstream is generated for implementing the base circuit design, a communication module, and a reconfiguration module in a first portion of programmable resources of the programmable IC. The reconfiguration module is configured to program, in response to each respective one of the supplemental bitstreams received via the communication module, a second portion of the programmable resources with the supplemental bitstream to implement a corresponding one of the plurality of circuit designs.

Abstract: A skewed placement grid for an integrated circuit (IC) is disclosed. In one embodiment, an IC includes a placement grid which includes a plurality of cells. Each of the plurality of cells includes one of a corresponding plurality of circuits. A center point of each of the cells is located at a unique coordinate along a first axis and a second axis with respect to each of the other ones of the plurality of cells. The IC further includes a first plurality of signal interconnections, wherein each of the plurality of signal interconnections is coupled to a corresponding one of the first plurality of circuits.

Abstract: A routing fabric using multiple levels of switching networks along with associated routing matrices to allow a more uniform and shorter interconnection or routing path among logic modules or routing modules compared with those in the conventional designs. The resulting routing fabric can be used in electronic devices, such as switching networks, routers, and programmable logic circuits, etc.

Abstract: A programmable transistor array circuit is disclosed comprising a semiconductor substrate; and a plurality of basic transistor units (BTUs) arranged in rows and columns of uniformly spaced cells, the BTUs further comprising PMOS transistor units (PTUs), NMOS transistor units (NTUs) and dummy transistor units (DTUs) each BTU having conductors arranged in a single direction running through the BTUs and the conductors being uniformly spaced with respect to each other. The arrangement of the BTUs is subject to restricted design rules. Logical transistor units (LTUs) are formed from the BTUs using first and second layers of metallization. Methods for producing integrated circuits are disclosed forming programmable transistor arrays and implementing customer specified system designs upon the programmable transistor arrays.

Abstract: A circuit and methods for placing a circuit block on an integrated circuit (IC) are disclosed. An embodiment of the disclosed method includes dividing the IC into multiple regions based on pre-determined value. This pre-determined value may be a voltage drop value measured on specific regions on the IC. The performance requirement for the circuit block is determined and placed in one of the regions on the IC. In one embodiment, the placement of the circuit block is based on the performance requirement and the measured value at specific regions on the IC. The measured value may be a voltage drop value and a circuit block with a higher performance may be placed in a region with a lower voltage drop value.

Abstract: A system for connecting an interface of an electronic device between first and second fabrics includes a constraint generator that associates first and second conditions with the interface, a first equation solver that solves one or more first equation to select a first plurality of connectors in the first fabric and a second plurality of connectors in the second fabric that satisfy the first condition based on an optimality criterion for the interface; and a second equation solver that solves one or more second equation to select one of the first plurality of connectors in the fabric and one of the second plurality of connectors in the second fabric that satisfy the second condition based on the optimality criterion for the interface.

Abstract: A system includes a computer readable storage medium and a processor. The computer readable storage includes data representing an input/output (“I/O”) cell of a first type for modeling and/or fabricating a semiconductor device. The I/O cell of the first type includes circuitry for providing a first plurality of functions. The processor is in communication with the computer readable storage medium and is configured to select the I/O cell of the first type, arrange a plurality of the I/O cells of the first type on a model of an semiconductor device, and store the model of the semiconductor device including the plurality of the I/O cells of the first type in the computer readable storage medium.

Abstract: Providing ASIC equivalents of FPGAs is facilitated and made more efficient and economical by using an ASIC architecture including a plurality of so-called hybrid logic elements (“HLEs”), each of which can provide a portion of the full functionality of an FPGA logic element (“LE”). The functionality of each FPGA LE implementing a user's logic design can be mapped to one or more HLEs without re-synthesis of the user's logic. Only as many HLEs as are necessary are used to perform the functions of each LE. The one-for-one equivalence between each LE and either (1) one HLE or (2) a group of HLEs facilitates mapping (without re-synthesis) in either direction between FPGA and ASIC designs.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for verifying implementation of a logic core in a complete bitstream. A logic core bitstream is extracted from the complete bitstream. The logic core bitstream is compared to a reference bitstream of the logic core for a target device. In response to no discrepancy in the comparison of the logic core bitstream and the reference bitstream, a data value is stored indicating that the logic core implementation contained in the complete bitstream is verified.

Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed to identify composite wires from segmented wires of a programmable logic device (PLD). In one example, a method includes associating segmented wires of the PLD with a plurality of wire index values based on connections identified by interface templates. The method further includes identifying a plurality of composite wires according to the wire index values. Each composite wire comprises a set of the segmented wires associated with a corresponding one of the wire index values. The composite wires are adapted to interconnect programmable logic blocks of the PLD.

Abstract: A method for designing a system on a target device includes identifying candidate portions in the system to preserve based on similarities between the system and another system. Preservation criteria are applied on the candidate portions in the system to preserve to identify portions of the system to preserve. Design results from the another system are reused for portions in the system that are preserved.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method that defines a set of connections that connect the nodes in a configurable node array. The method identifies different sets of connections for connecting a set of the nodes. For each identified set of connections, the method computes a metric score that quantifies a quality of the identified set of connections. The method then selects one of the identified sets of connections to connect the configurable nodes in the array.

Abstract: In a system including a multidimensional field of reconfigurable elements, and a method for operating said field of reconfigurable elements, one or more groups of said elements suitable for processing a predetermined task may be determined, a particular one of the one or more groups is selected, and the selected group is configured in a predetermined manner during runtime for processing the predetermined task, and in manufacturing of said system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for allowing components such as buffers, multiplexers, ingress cores, etc. on a device such as a programmable chip to configure themselves based on parameter information. In some examples, self-configuring components obtain parameter information from adjacent components. In other examples, self-configuring components obtain parameter information from a system environment or a processor register. Component self-configuration can occur at a variety of times including preprocessing, simulation, and run-time.

Abstract: A method for designing a system on a target device includes assigning resources on the target device to static logic modules and partial reconfigurable (PR) modules in the system. The instances of one of the PR modules are placed and routed in parallel utilizing resources from those that are assigned. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A routing method for a multilayer circuit design layout that has a set of possible preferred local routing directions and a default preferred routing direction for each layer. The method receives a set of user specified constraints on routing directions for particular regions of the design layout. The method tessellates the available routing space into separate tiles and automatically defines a preferred local routing direction for each tile based on the user specified constraints. The set of user specified constraints includes user designated flows, locked etches, “etch keep-out” areas, user “planned” data, etc. A routing method for a multilayer design layout that receives a first set of user specified preferred routing directions for particular regions of the multilayer design layout. The method tessellates the available routing space into separate tiles and automatically defines a second preferred local routing direction for each tile based on the user specified preferred routing directions.

Abstract: Embodiments provide crossbar structures, and reconfigurable circuits that contain crossbar structures, that include n inputs and an output, where n is an integer, chains of transistors coupled to the n inputs and the output, a plurality of control signal elements—each coupled to one or more transistors of the plurality of chains of transistors to selectively couple said n inputs to the output—and an additional chain of transistors coupled to at least some of the plurality of control signal elements and the output to selectively couple a constant output voltage to the output. Other embodiments may be disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A method for configuring programmable logic in an IC to implement instances of a relocatable circuit includes, for each instance, assigning a respective portion of an address space of a processor to the instance, configuring a respective interface circuit for translating the transactions accessing the respective portion of the address space into a fixed address space of the relocatable circuit, and selecting a respective region within an array of programmable logic and interconnect resources of the IC. The processor accesses the address space with read and write transactions issued on an interface bus. The relocatable circuit is independent of the address space assigned to the instances. Each region is configurable to implement an instance. The programmable logic and interconnect resources are configured to implement the instances and to couple each instance to the interface bus of the processor via the respective interface circuit, using a single copy of configuration data for the relocatable circuit.