US5155389A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Programmable logic cell and array
Assignee: Atmel Corp
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Filing: 1991-05-24
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Granted: 1992-10-13
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Expires: 2011-05-24
Abstract
Abstract A logic cell is described having four inputs, four outputs, a control store, means for multiplexing the four inputs onto two leads and logic means that operate in response to the signals on the two leads and signals from the control store to produce output signals which are applied to the four outputs. Illustrative logic functions provided by the logic means include a cross-over or identify function, a change in the routing direction of an input signal, NAND and XOR gates and a D-type flip-flop. The selection of two of the four inputs as well as the selection of the particular logic function that is implemented is controlled by control bits stored in the control store. Numerous such logic cells are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix such that each cell has four nearest neighbor cells, one to its left (or to the West) one to its right (or to the East), one above it (or to the North) and one below it (or to the South). Each one of the four inputs to a logic cell comes from a different one of that cell's four nearest neighbors and similarly each one of a cell's outputs is provided to a different one of that cell's four nearest neighbors. As a result of this arrangement, individual cells can be combined to produce blocks of cells that implement all manner of functions.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederick C. Furtek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 07:43
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K19/00; H03K19/02; H03K19/173; H03K19/177; H03K19/17724; H03K19/17728; G; G06; G06F; G06F30/00; G06F30/30; G06F30/34; H03K19/17704
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A two-dimensional array of logic cells, each cell except those at the edges of the array having four nearest neighbors, one to the left (or West), one to the right (or East), one above (or to the North) and one below (or to the South), each cell comprising: four inputs, one from each of its four nearest neighbors, four outputs, one to each of its four nearest neighbors, control means, means for multiplexing the four inputs onto first and second input leads, the inputs connected to said input leads being specified by signals from said control means, and logic means for generating signals on said outputs in response to signals on said input leads and signals from said control means, said logic means comprising at least means for passing signals on said input leads to said outputs without logical transformation and means for implementing at least one logical transformation on the signals on said input leads.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
A two-dimensional array of logic cells, each cell except those at the edges of the array having four nearest neighbors, one to the left (or West), one to the right (or East), one above (or to the North) and one below (or to the South), each cell comprising: four inputs, one from each of its four nearest neighbors, four outputs, one to each of its four nearest neighbors, control means, means for multiplexing the four inputs onto first and second input leads, the inputs connected to said input leads being specified by signals from said control means, and logic means for generating signals on said outputs in response to signals on said input leads and signals from said control means, said logic means comprising at least means for passing signals on said input leads to said outputs without logical transformation and means for implementing at least one logical transformation on the signals on said input leads.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said control means provides signals to said multiplexing means and said logic means, whereby said signals specify the logical transformation implemented by a given cell.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said control means comprises a one-time programmable device, whereby a given logic cell can be permanently programmed to implement a specified logical transformation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the inputs and outputs of each cell are symmetrical about one of a northwest-southeast axis and a northeast-southwest axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the logic means implements a pair of Boolean logic functions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the logic means implements an exclusive OR and a NAND function.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the logic means implement a flip-flop.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the logic means provides a constant logic signal to at least one of the outputs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the multiplexing means comprises first and second multiplexers each of which has two inputs, one of the two inputs to one multiplexer coming from an adjacent cell that is a nearest neighbor either to the left or to the right and a second of the two inputs coming from an adjacent cell that is a nearest neighbor either above or below.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the logic means causes an input that enters a cell from the left or from the right to leave the cell destined to the cell above or below and causes an input that enters a cell from above or below to leave the cell destined to the cell to the left or right.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the logic means has two output leads, one of which fans out to two of said outputs and the other of which fans out to the other two of said outputs.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
240 words
A computational medium comprising a two-dimensional array of logic cells, each logic cell except those at an edge of the array comprising: four inputs, a first input coming from a preceding cell in a first dimension of the array, a second input coming from a succeeding cell in the first dimension of the array, a third input coming from a preceding cell in a second dimension of the array and a fourth input coming from a succeeding cell in the second dimension of the array, four outputs, a first output going to a preceding cell in a first dimension of the array, a second output going to a succeeding cell in the first dimension of the array, a third output going to a preceding cell in a second dimension of the array and a fourth output going to a succeeding cell in the second dimension of the array, control means, means for multiplexing the first, second, third and fourth inputs onto first and second input leads, the inputs connected to said input leads being specified by signals from said control means, and logic means for generating signals on said outputs in response to signals on said input leads and signals from said control means, said logic means comprising at least means for passing signals on said input leads to said outputs without logical transformation and means for implementing at least one logical transformation on the signals on said input leads.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
240 words
A computational medium comprising a two-dimensional array of logic cells, each logic cell except those at an edge of the array comprising: four inputs, a first input coming from a preceding cell in a first dimension of the array, a second input coming from a succeeding cell in the first dimension of the array, a third input coming from a preceding cell in a second dimension of the array and a fourth input coming from a succeeding cell in the second dimension of the array, four outputs, a first output going to a preceding cell in a first dimension of the array, a second output going to a succeeding cell in the first dimension of the array, a third output going to a preceding cell in a second dimension of the array and a fourth output going to a succeeding cell in the second dimension of the array, control means, means for multiplexing the first, second, third and fourth inputs onto first and second input leads, the inputs connected to said input leads being specified by signals from said control means, and logic means for generating signals on said outputs in response to signals on said input leads and signals from said control means, said logic means comprising at least means for passing signals on said input leads to said outputs without logical transformation and means for implementing at least one logical transformation on the signals on said input leads.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
105 words
A digital logic cell for use in a programmable device, such cell comprising: four inputs, four outputs, control means, means for multiplexing the four inputs onto first and second input leads, the inputs connected to said input leads being specified by signals from said control means, and logic means for generating signals on said outputs in response to signals on said input leads and signals from said control means, said logic means comprising at least means for passing signals on said input leads to said outputs without logical transformation and means for implementing at least one logical transformation on the signals on said input leads.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
105 words
A digital logic cell for use in a programmable device, such cell comprising: four inputs, four outputs, control means, means for multiplexing the four inputs onto first and second input leads, the inputs connected to said input leads being specified by signals from said control means, and logic means for generating signals on said outputs in response to signals on said input leads and signals from said control means, said logic means comprising at least means for passing signals on said input leads to said outputs without logical transformation and means for implementing at least one logical transformation on the signals on said input leads.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said control means provides signals to said multiplexing means and said logic means, whereby said signals specify the logical transformation implemented by a given cell.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said control means comprises a one-time programmable device, whereby a given logic cell can be permanently programmed to implement a specified logical transformation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the cell is rectangular and the inputs and outputs of the cell are symmetrical about one of a northwest-southeast axis running between two opposite corners of the cell and a northeast-southwest axis running between the other two opposite corners of the cell.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the logic means implements a pair of Boolean logic functions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the logic means implements an exclusive OR and a NAND function.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the logic means implements a flip-flop.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the logic means provides a constant logic high signal to at least one of the outputs.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the multiplexing means comprises first and second multiplexers each of which has two inputs, one of the two inputs to one multiplexer coming from an adjacent cell that is a nearest neighbor either to the left or to the right and a second of the two inputs coming from an adjacent cell that is a nearest neighbor either above or below.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the logic means causes an input that enters a cell from the left or from the right to leave the cell destined to the cell above or below and causes an input that enters a cell from above or below to leave the cell destined to the cell to the left or right.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the logic means has two output leads, one of which fans out to two of said outputs and the other of which fans out to the other two of said outputs.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-10-13 | 1996-04-13 | 1996-10-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-10-13 | 2000-04-13 | 2000-10-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-10-13 | 2004-04-13 | 2004-10-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |