EP0748051A2
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EP
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System and method for dynamically reconfiguring a programmable gate array
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1996-05-07
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2016-05-07
Abstract
Abstract In each of multiple logic cells of a Programmable Gate Array ("PGA"), a programming array is provided having multiple programming words therein. Each of the programming words is engagable to control the configuration of the logic cell. The programming words are selectively engaged such that multiple functions are performed by the logic cell within the PGA. As a result, a PGA with a number of virtual logic cells in excess of actual physical logic cells is provided. The PGA therefore has the capability to emulate a PGA with a larger number of logic cells than it physically has. <IMAGE>
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph Andrew Iadanza
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 12:51
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K19/00; H03K19/02; H03K19/173; H03K19/177; H03K19/17748; H03K19/17752; H03K19/17704; H03K19/17756
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
60 words
A configuration system for a logic cell within a programmable array ("PA") comprising: a plurality of programming words simultaneously stored in said PA, of which each programming word is engagable to control a configuration of the logic cell; and means to engage a selected programming word of said plurality of programming words to control the configuration of the logic cell.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
16 words
The configuration system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of programming words comprises a programming array.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The configuration system of claim 2, wherein each programming word of the programming array has N bits (N>1).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The configuration system of claim 3, wherein said programming array comprises a static random access memory ("SRAM") array having M by N bits.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The configuration system of claim 3, wherein said means to engage comprises a wordline for each programming word of said programming array to selectively engage the programming word to control the configuration of the logic cell.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The configuration system of claim 5, wherein said means to engage comprises means for coupling the wordlines to selected logic cells within the PA to facilitate engagement of the selected programming word by said selected logic cells.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The configuration system of claim 3, wherein said means to engage comprises a programmable counter for sequentially engaging different programming words of said programming array.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The configuration system of claim 7, wherein said programmable counter comprises at least one other logic cell of the PA.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The configuration system of claim 1, replicated for a plurality of logic cells within said PA.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for configuring a logic cell within a programmable array ("PA"), said logic cell being controllable by each programming word of a plurality of programming words associated with said logic cell and simultaneously stored in said PA, said method comprising: determining a selected programming word of said plurality of programming words; and engaging said selected programming word to control the configuration of the logic cell.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 10, wherein each programming word has a wordline for engagement thereof as the selected programming word, and wherein said engaging step comprises asserting a signal on the wordline of the selected programming word.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 10, further comprising engaging a different selected programming word of said plurality of programming words.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
he method of claim 10, further comprising engaging a sequence of selected programming words of said plurality of programming words.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 10, further comprising preprogramming said plurality of programming words.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 14, further comprising reprogramming said plurality of programming words.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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