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US5457409A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Architecture of a multiple array high density programmable logic device with a plurality of programmable switch matrices

Assignee: Lattice Semiconductor Corp
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Filing: 1992-08-03
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Granted: 1995-10-10
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Expires: 2012-08-03
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Abstract

Abstract The programmable logic device (PLD) of this invention includes two or more programmable logic blocks interconnected by a programmable switch matrix that includes a programmable input switch matrix (input switch matrix) and a programmable centralized switch matrix (centralized switch matrix). Each programmable logic block receives input signals only from the centralized switch matrix. The output signals from a programmable logic block are coupled to a plurality of input/output (I/O) pins by an output switch matrix. The output signals from the programmable logic block are also fed directly to the programmable input switch matrix. In addition, an input macrocell couples the signal on an I/O pin driving the input macrocell, i.e., the associated I/O pin, to the programmable input switch matrix. Each programmable logic block includes a programmable logic array, a programmable logic allocator, and programmable logic macrocells.

Inventors

  • 👤 Om P. Agrawal
  • 👤 Jerry D. Moench
  • 👤 Kerry A. Ilgenstein

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-29 08:20
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K19/00; H03K19/02; H03K19/173; H03K19/177; H03K19/1778; H03K19/17796; H03K19/17704; H03K19/17708; G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/04; G05B19/05; G05B19/056; H03K19/17724; H03K19/17728; H03K19/17748; H03K19/1776; H03K19/17772; H03K19/17792

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 87
Claim 1
Independent Claim 364 words
An integrated circuit having a plurality of pins comprising: a plurality of programmable logic blocks, each programmable logic block having a plurality of input lines and a plurality of output lines so that said plurality of programmable logic blocks has pluralities of input lines and pluralities of output lines; wherein at least one programmable logic block includes a programmable array having a plurality of input lines coupled to said plurality of programmable logic block input lines, and having a plurality of output lines; and further wherein said programmable array includes a product term cluster wherein one of the product terms in said product term cluster is programmably connectable and disconnectable from said product term cluster; a programmable input switch interconnection matrix, operatively coupled to each of said programmable logic blocks, comprising a plurality of programmable input switch matrix banks with each programmable input switch matrix bank having a plurality of input lines and a plurality of output lines so that said plurality of programmable input switch matrix banks has pluralities of input lines and pluralities of output lines; wherein input lines in said plurality of input lines of said programmable input switch matrix bank are coupled to output lines in said plurality of output lines of one programmable logic block; and further wherein said programmable input switch matrix bank selectively connects and disconnects said input lines in said plurality of input lines of said programmable input switch matrix bank to output lines in said plurality of output lines of said programmable input switch matrix bank; and a programmable centralized switch interconnection matrix, operatively coupled to each of said programmable logic blocks and to said programmable input switch interconnection matrix, having a plurality of input lines and a plurality of output lines; wherein input lines in said plurality of input lines of said programmable centralized switch interconnection matrix are coupled to said pluralities of output lines of said plurality of programmable input switch matrix banks; and further wherein said programmable centralized switch interconnection matrix selectively connects and disconnects signals on said plurality of input lines of said programmable centralized switch interconnection matrix to said pluralities of input lines of said plurality of programmable logic blocks.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 364 words
An integrated circuit having a plurality of pins comprising: a plurality of programmable logic blocks, each programmable logic block having a plurality of input lines and a plurality of output lines so that said plurality of programmable logic blocks has pluralities of input lines and pluralities of output lines; wherein at least one programmable logic block includes a programmable array having a plurality of input lines coupled to said plurality of programmable logic block input lines, and having a plurality of output lines; and further wherein said programmable array includes a product term cluster wherein one of the product terms in said product term cluster is programmably connectable and disconnectable from said product term cluster; a programmable input switch interconnection matrix, operatively coupled to each of said programmable logic blocks, comprising a plurality of programmable input switch matrix banks with each programmable input switch matrix bank having a plurality of input lines and a plurality of output lines so that said plurality of programmable input switch matrix banks has pluralities of input lines and pluralities of output lines; wherein input lines in said plurality of input lines of said programmable input switch matrix bank are coupled to output lines in said plurality of output lines of one programmable logic block; and further wherein said programmable input switch matrix bank selectively connects and disconnects said input lines in said plurality of input lines of said programmable input switch matrix bank to output lines in said plurality of output lines of said programmable input switch matrix bank; and a programmable centralized switch interconnection matrix, operatively coupled to each of said programmable logic blocks and to said programmable input switch interconnection matrix, having a plurality of input lines and a plurality of output lines; wherein input lines in said plurality of input lines of said programmable centralized switch interconnection matrix are coupled to said pluralities of output lines of said plurality of programmable input switch matrix banks; and further wherein said programmable centralized switch interconnection matrix selectively connects and disconnects signals on said plurality of input lines of said programmable centralized switch interconnection matrix to said pluralities of input lines of said plurality of programmable logic blocks.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 40 words
The integrated circuit of claim 1 wherein said programmable input switch matrix bank comprises a plurality of programmable multiplexers connected to said pluralities of input lines and to said pluralities of output lines of said programmable input switch matrix bank.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 19 words
The integrated circuit of claim 1 wherein said plurality of programmable logic block input lines comprises 33 input lines.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 31 words
The integrated circuit of claim 2 wherein said plurality of programmable multiplexers have a size such that said programmable input switch matrix bank has a routability factor of at least 3.0.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 35 words
The integrated circuit of claim 2 wherein said plurality of programmable multiplexers have a size such that each input signal to said programmable input switch matrix bank has at least one chance of passing therethrough.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 16 words
The integrated circuit of claim 2 wherein said plurality of programmable multiplexers comprises programmable 4:1 multiplexers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 16 words
The integrated circuit of claim 2 wherein said plurality of programmable multiplexers comprises programmable 2:1 multiplexers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 21 words
The integrated circuit of claim 1 wherein at least one pin in said plurality of pins is a dedicated input pin.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 20 words
The integrated circuit of claim 8 wherein said dedicated input pin is connected to said programmable centralized switch interconnection matrix.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 40 words
The integrated circuit of claim 1 wherein said programmable centralized switch interconnection matrix comprises a plurality of programmable multiplexers connected to said pluralities of input lines and to said pluralities of output lines of said programmable centralized switch interconnection matrix.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 19 words
The integrated circuit of claim 1 wherein said plurality of programmable logic block input lines comprises 34 input lines.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 31 words
The integrated circuit of claim 10 wherein said plurality of programmable multiplexers have a size such that said programmable centralized switch interconnection matrix has a routability factor of at least 3.0.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 16 words
The integrated circuit of claim 10 wherein said plurality of programmable multiplexers comprises programmable 18:1 multiplexers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 16 words
The integrated circuit of claim 10 wherein said plurality of programmable multiplexers comprises programmable 36:1 multiplexers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 119 words
The integrated circuit of claim 1 further comprising: programmable output switch interconnection matrix, operatively coupled to each of said programmable logic blocks and to a set of said plurality of pins, comprising a plurality of output switch matrix banks with each output switch matrix bank having a plurality of input lines and a plurality of output lines; wherein said plurality of input lines of said programmable output switch matrix bank are coupled to said plurality of output lines of one programmable logic block; and further wherein said programmable output switch interconnection matrix selectively connects and disconnects each line in said set of said plurality of input lines to a pin in said set pins in said plurality of pins.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 16 words
The integrated circuit of claim 15 wherein said set of plurality of pins comprise input/output pins.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 40 words
The integrated circuit of claim 16 wherein said programmable output switch matrix bank comprises a plurality of programmable multiplexers connected to said pluralities of input lines and to said pluralities of output lines of said programmable output switch matrix bank.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 15 words
The integrated circuit of claim 1 wherein each of said programmable logic blocks is identical.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 31 words
The integrated circuit of claim 17 further wherein said plurality of programmable multiplexers have a size such that said programmable output switch matrix has a routability factor of at least 3.0.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 16 words
The integrated circuit of claim 17 wherein said plurality of programmable multiplexers comprises programmable 8:1 multiplexers.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 114 words
The integrated circuit of claim 1 wherein said at least one programmable logic block further comprises: a plurality of programmable logic macrocells, each programmable logic macrocell, operatively coupled to said programmable input switch interconnection matrix, having at least one input line and an output line; a logic allocator, operatively coupled to said programmable array and selectively operatively coupled to and decoupled from each of said plurality of programmable logic macrocells wherein said logic allocator couples a plurality of output signals of said programmable array to selected input lines of said plurality of programmable logic macrocells; and said logic allocator decouples unselected input lines of said plurality of programmable logic macrocells from said programmable array.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 110 words
The integrated circuit of claim 21 wherein each of said programmable logic macrocells comprises: a programmable logic element, operatively coupled to said programmable logic macrocell input line, having an input terminal and an output terminal; and a logic signal polarity control element operatively coupled to said programmable logic element; wherein in a first mode of operation, said logic signal polarity control element generates a first output signal in response to an input signal; and in a second mode of operation, said logic signal polarity control element generates a second output signal in response to said input signal and said second output signal is the inverse of said first output signal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 83 words
The integrated circuit of claim 22 wherein said logic signal polarity control element further comprises: a polarity control element logic gate having (i) a first input terminal connected to said programmable logic macrocell input line, (ii) a second input terminal connected to a line carrying one of a first signal and a second signal, and (iii) an output line for said polarity control element logic gate output signal wherein said output line is connected to said input terminal of said programmable logic element.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 33 words
The integrated circuit of claim 23 wherein said line carrying one of said first and second signals is coupled to said one programmably connectable and disconnectable product term from said product term cluster.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 54 words
The integrated circuit of claim 23 wherein said one programmably connectable and disconnectable product term from said product term cluster is connected to a first input terminal of a second logic gate upon being disconnected from said product term cluster wherein said second logic gate is different from said polarity control element logic gate.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 79 words
The integrated circuit of claim 23 wherein said logic signal polarity control element further comprises: a programmable multiplexer having a first input terminal connected to a first voltage level, a second input terminal connected to a second voltage level, and an output terminal connected to a second input terminal of said second logic gate wherein in response to an input select signal, said programmable multiplexer passes therethrough the signal on one of said input terminals to said output terminal.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 28 words
The integrated circuit of claim 26 wherein an output terminal of said second logic gate is connected to said line carrying one of said first and second signals.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 23 words
The integrated circuit of claim 27 wherein said polarity control element logic gate and said second logic gate comprise exclusive OR logic gates.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 41 words
The integrated circuit of claim 22, wherein said programmable logic element is configurable as any one of the group consisting of a D-type flip-flop, a T-type flip-flop, a latch, and a combinatorial signal path in response to a configuration select signal.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 20 words
The integrated circuit of claim 29 wherein said programmable logic element further comprises: means for providing said configuration select signal.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 16 words
The integrated circuit of claim 22 wherein said programmable logic element has a clock/latch enable terminal.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 74 words
The integrated circuit of claim 31, said programmable logic macrocell further comprising: a programmable clock multiplexer having an output terminal connected to said programmable logic element clock/latch enable terminal and a multiplicity of input terminals, said programmable clock multiplexer in response to an input select signal passing therethrough a signal on a selected input terminal to said output terminal; and means, operatively coupled to said programmable clock multiplexer, for providing said input select signal.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 45 words
The integrated circuit of claim 32 wherein a first terminal of said multiplicity of clock multiplexer input terminals is connected to one of said pins; and a second terminal of said multiplicity of clock multiplexer input terminals is connected to another one of said pins.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 23 words
The integrated circuit of claim 33 wherein said one of said pins and said another one of said pins comprise dedicated input pins.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 22 words
The integrated circuit of claim 22 wherein said programmable logic element further comprises an asynchronous preset terminal and an asynchronous reset terminal.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 17 words
The integrated circuit of claim 34 wherein said programmable array includes a plurality of control product terms.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 150 words
The integrated circuit as in claim 36 wherein said programmable logic element further comprises a programmable signal connector having first and second input terminals, an asynchronous preset output terminal, and an asynchronous reset output terminal; wherein said programmable signal connector asynchronous preset output terminal is connected to said programmable logic element asynchronous preset terminal; said programmable signal connector asynchronous reset output terminal is connected to said programmable logic element asynchronous reset terminal; and further wherein in response to a first level of an input select signal, said programmable signal connector connects said first input terminal to said asynchronous reset output terminal and said second input terminal to said asynchronous preset output terminal; and in response to a second level of said input select signal, said programmable signal connector connects said second input terminal to said asynchronous reset output terminal and said first input terminal to said asynchronous preset output terminal.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 51 words
The integrated circuit as in claim 37 wherein: a first product term in said plurality of control product terms is connected to said programmable signal connector first input terminal; and a second product term in said plurality of control product terms is connected to said programmable signal connector second input terminal.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 25 words
The integrated circuit of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of programmable input/output (I/O) cells, each I/O cell being connected to one of said pins.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim 69 words
The integrated circuit of claim 39 further comprising: programmable output switch interconnection matrix, operatively coupled to the output lines of one programmable logic block in said plurality of programmable logic blocks and to said plurality of programmable I/O cell, wherein said programmable output switch interconnection matrix progammably steers said output signals of said one programmable logic block to selected programmable input/output cells in said plurality of programmable I/O cells.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim 38 words
The integrated circuit of claim 40 wherein said programmable output switch interconnection matrix comprises a plurality of programmable multiplexers connected to said output lines of said one programmable logic block and to said plurality of programmable I/O cells.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim 16 words
The integrated circuit of claim 41 wherein said plurality of programmable multiplexers comprises programmable 8:1 multiplexers.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim 95 words
The integrated circuit of claim 39 said programmable I/O cell further comprising: means for selectively providing an enable signal; and means, operatively connected to one output line of said programmable output switch interconnection matrix, to one of said pins, and to the enable signal providing means, for selectively providing a signal on the output line from said one output line of said programmable output switch interconnection matrix to said pin wherein said providing means passes said signal on the output line from said programmable output switch interconnection matrix therethrough only upon receiving said enable signal.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim 29 words
The integrated circuit of claim 1 wherein each product term in a plurality of product terms in said product term cluster are programmably connectable and disconnectable from said cluster.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim 114 words
The integrated circuit of claim 44 wherein said at least one programmable logic block further comprises: a plurality of programmable logic macrocells, each programmable logic macrocell, operatively coupled to said programmable input switch interconnection matrix, having at least one input line and an output line; a logic allocator operatively coupled to said programmable array and selectively operatively coupled to and decoupled from each of said plurality of programmable logic macrocells; wherein said logic allocator couples a plurality of output signals of said programmable array to selected input lines of said plurality of programmable logic macrocells; and said logic allocator decouples unselected input lines of said plurality of programmable logic macrocells from said programmable array.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim 35 words
The integrated circuit of claim 42 wherein each of said programmable logic macrocells comprises: a programmable logic element, operatively coupled to said programmable logic macrocell input line, having an input terminal and an output terminal.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim 41 words
The integrated circuit of claim 46, wherein said programmable logic element is configurable as any one of the group consisting of a D-type flip-flop, a T-type flip-flop, a latch, and a combinatorial signal path in response to a configuration select signal.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim 20 words
The integrated circuit of claim 47 wherein said programmable logic element further comprises: means for providing said configuration select signal.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim 45 words
The integrated circuit of claim 44 wherein said plurality of product terms are in addition to said one product term so that a total number of product terms programmably connectable and disconnectable from said cluster is said plurality of product terms plus one product term.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim 22 words
The integrated circuit of claim 46 wherein said programmable logic element further comprises an asynchronous preset terminal and an asynchronous reset terminal.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim 150 words
The integrated circuit as in claim 50 wherein said programmable logic element further comprises a programmable signal connector having first and second input terminals, an asynchronous preset output terminal, and an asynchronous reset output terminal; wherein said programmable signal connector asynchronous preset output terminal is connected to said programmable logic element asynchronous preset terminal; said programmable signal connector asynchronous reset output terminal is connected to said programmable logic element asynchronous reset terminal; and further wherein in response to a first level of an input select signal, said programmable signal connector connects said first input terminal to said asynchronous reset output terminal and said second input terminal to said asynchronous preset output terminal; and in response to a second level of said input select signal, said programmable signal connector connects said second input terminal to said asynchronous reset output terminal and said first input terminal to said asynchronous preset output terminal.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim 59 words
The integrated circuit as in claim 57 wherein one product term in said plurality of product terms in said product term cluster is couplable to one input terminal of said programmable signal connector upon said one product term being disconnected from said product term cluster thereby making an individual asynchronous control product term available to said programmable logic element.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim 87 words
The integrated circuit as in claim 52 wherein said programmable logic element further comprises: a programmable asynchronous signal source selector having a first input terminal and a first output terminal; wherein said first output terminal is connected to one input terminal of said programmable signal connector; and said programmable asynchronous signal source selector first input terminal is connected to said first output terminal in response to an input select signal; and means, operatively connected to said programmable asynchronous signal source selector, for providing said input select signal.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim 36 words
The integrated circuit of claim 53 wherein said one product term in said plurality of product terms in said product term cluster is connected to said first input terminal of said programmable asynchronous signal source selector.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim 16 words
The integrated circuit of claim 46 wherein said programmable logic element has a clock/latch enable terminal.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim 74 words
The integrated circuit of claim 55, said programmable logic macrocell further comprising: a programmable clock multiplexer having an output terminal connected to said programmable logic element clock/latch enable terminal and a multiplicity of input terminals, said programmable clock multiplexer in response to an input select signal passing therethrough a signal on a selected input terminal to said output terminal; and means, operatively coupled to said programmable clock multiplexer, for providing said input select signal.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim 55 words
The integrated circuit of claim 56 wherein one product term in said plurality of product terms in said product term cluster is connected to one input terminal of said programmable clock multiplexer upon said one product term being disconnected from said product term cluster thereby providing an individual clock signal to said programmable clock multiplexer.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim 74 words
The integrated circuit of claim 45, wherein said logic allocator further comprises: a multiplicity of router elements, each of said router elements having a multiplicity of output lines and an input line wherein each of said router elements programmably couples signals on said input line therethrough to a selected output line in said multiplicity of output lines; and said router element input line is connected to an output line from said programmable logic array.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim 90 words
The integrated circuit of claim 58, wherein each of said router elements further comprises: a demultiplexer having an input terminal connected to said router element input line and a multiplicity of output lines; wherein said demultiplexer in response to an input select signal passes therethrough a signal on said input terminal to a selected output line in said multiplicity of output lines; and said demultiplexer multiplicity of output lines are said router elements multiplicity of output lines; and means, operatively coupled to said demultiplexer, for providing said input select signal.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim 41 words
The integrated circuit of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of programmable input macrocells wherein each programmable input macrocell has an input line connected to one of said pins and an output line connected to said programmable input switch interconnection matrix.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim 33 words
The integrated circuit of claim 60 wherein each input macrocell further comprises: a programmable storage device having an input terminal connected to said programmable input macrocell input line, and having an output line.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim 34 words
The integrated circuit of claim 61 wherein said programmable storage device is configurable as any one of the group consisting of a D-type flip-flop and a latch in response to a configuration select signal.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim 20 words
The integrated circuit of claim 62 wherein said programmable storage device further comprises: means for providing said configuration select signal.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim 17 words
The integrated circuit of claim 61 wherein said programmable storage device further comprises a clock/latch enable terminal.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim 74 words
The integrated circuit of claim 64 said programmable input macrocell further comprising: a programmable clock multiplexer having an output terminal connected to said programmable storage device clock/latch enable terminal and a multiplicity of input terminals, said programmable clock multiplexer in response to an input select signal passing therethrough a signal on a selected input terminal to said output terminal; and means, operatively coupled to said programmable clock multiplexer, for providing said input select signal.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim 45 words
The integrated circuit of claim 65 wherein a first terminal of said multiplicity of clock multiplexer input terminals is coupled to one of said pins; and a second terminal of said multiplicity of clock multiplexer input terminals is coupled to another one of said pins.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim 369 words
An integrated circuit having a plurality of pins comprising: a plurality of programmable logic blocks, each programmable logic block having a plurality of input lines and a plurality of output lines so that said plurality of programmable logic blocks has pluralities of input lines and pluralities of output lines; wherein at least one programmable logic block includes a programmable array having a plurality of input lines coupled to said plurality of programmable logic block input lines, and having a plurality of output lines; and further wherein said programmable array includes a product term cluster wherein each product term in a multiplicity of the product terms in said product term cluster is programmably connectable and disconnectable from said product term cluster; a programmable input switch interconnection matrix, operatively coupled to each of said programmable logic blocks, comprising a plurality of programmable input switch matrix banks with each programmable input switch matrix bank having a plurality of input lines and a plurality of output lines so that said plurality of programmable input switch matrix banks has pluralities of input lines and pluralities of output lines; wherein input lines in said plurality of input lines of said programmable input switch matrix bank are coupled to output lines in said plurality of output lines of one programmable logic block; and further wherein said programmable input switch matrix bank selectively connects and disconnects said input lines in said plurality of input lines of said programmable input switch matrix bank to output lines in said plurality of output lines of said programmable input switch matrix bank; and a programmable centralized switch interconnection matrix, operatively coupled to each of said programmable logic blocks and to said programmable input switch interconnection matrix, having a plurality of input lines and a plurality of output lines; wherein input lines in said plurality of input lines of said programmable centralized switch interconnection matrix are coupled to said pluralities of output lines of said plurality of programmable input switch matrix banks; and further wherein said programmable centralized switch interconnection matrix selectively connects and disconnects signals on said plurality of input lines of said programmable centralized switch interconnection matrix to said pluralities of input lines of said plurality of programmable logic blocks.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim 369 words
An integrated circuit having a plurality of pins comprising: a plurality of programmable logic blocks, each programmable logic block having a plurality of input lines and a plurality of output lines so that said plurality of programmable logic blocks has pluralities of input lines and pluralities of output lines; wherein at least one programmable logic block includes a programmable array having a plurality of input lines coupled to said plurality of programmable logic block input lines, and having a plurality of output lines; and further wherein said programmable array includes a product term cluster wherein each product term in a multiplicity of the product terms in said product term cluster is programmably connectable and disconnectable from said product term cluster; a programmable input switch interconnection matrix, operatively coupled to each of said programmable logic blocks, comprising a plurality of programmable input switch matrix banks with each programmable input switch matrix bank having a plurality of input lines and a plurality of output lines so that said plurality of programmable input switch matrix banks has pluralities of input lines and pluralities of output lines; wherein input lines in said plurality of input lines of said programmable input switch matrix bank are coupled to output lines in said plurality of output lines of one programmable logic block; and further wherein said programmable input switch matrix bank selectively connects and disconnects said input lines in said plurality of input lines of said programmable input switch matrix bank to output lines in said plurality of output lines of said programmable input switch matrix bank; and a programmable centralized switch interconnection matrix, operatively coupled to each of said programmable logic blocks and to said programmable input switch interconnection matrix, having a plurality of input lines and a plurality of output lines; wherein input lines in said plurality of input lines of said programmable centralized switch interconnection matrix are coupled to said pluralities of output lines of said plurality of programmable input switch matrix banks; and further wherein said programmable centralized switch interconnection matrix selectively connects and disconnects signals on said plurality of input lines of said programmable centralized switch interconnection matrix to said pluralities of input lines of said plurality of programmable logic blocks.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim 119 words
The integrated circuit of claim 67 further comprising: programmable output switch interconnection matrix, operatively coupled to each of said programmable logic blocks and to a set of said plurality of pins, comprising a plurality of output switch matrix banks with each output switch matrix bank having a plurality of input lines and a plurality of output lines; wherein said plurality of input lines of said programmable output switch matrix bank are coupled to said plurality of output lines of one programmable logic block; and further wherein said programmable output switch interconnection matrix selectively connects and disconnects each line in said set of said plurality of input lines to a pin in said set pins in said plurality of pins.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim 114 words
The integrated circuit of claim 67 wherein said at least one programmable logic block further comprises: a plurality of programmable logic macrocells, each programmable logic macrocell, operatively coupled to said programmable input interconnection switch matrix, having at least one input line and an output line; a logic allocator operatively coupled to said programmable array and selectively operatively coupled to and decoupled from each of said plurality of programmable logic macrocells; wherein said logic allocator steers a plurality of output signals of said programmable array to selected input lines of said plurality of programmable logic macrocells; and said logic allocator decouples unselected input lines of said plurality of programmable logic macrocells from said programmable array.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim 110 words
The integrated circuit of claim 69 wherein each of said programmable logic macrocells comprises: a programmable logic element, operatively coupled to said programmable logic macrocell input line, having an input terminal and an output terminal; and a logic signal polarity control element operatively coupled to said programmable logic element; wherein in a first mode of operation, said logic signal polarity control element generates a first output signal in response to an input signal; and in a second mode of operation, said logic signal polarity control element generates a second output signal in response to said input signal and said second output signal is the inverse of said first output signal.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim 79 words
The integrated circuit of claim 70 wherein said logic signal polarity control element further comprises: a first logic gate having (i) a first input terminal connected to said programmable logic macrocell input line, (ii) a second input terminal connected to a line carrying one of a first signal and a second signal, and (iii) an output line for said first logic gate output signal wherein said output line is connected to said input terminal of said programmable logic element.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim 49 words
The integrated circuit of claim 71 wherein said line carrying one of said first and second signals is coupled to one programmably connectable and disconnectable product term in said multiplicity of product terms in said product term cluster that are programmably connectable and disconnectable from said product term cluster.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim 50 words
The integrated circuit of claim 71 wherein said one programmably connectable and disconnectable product term from said product term cluster is connected to a first input terminal of a second logic gate upon being disconnected from said cluster wherein said second logic gate is different from said first logic gate.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim 79 words
The integrated circuit of claim 73 wherein said logic signal polarity control element further comprises: a programmable multiplexer having a first input terminal connected to a first voltage level, a second input terminal connected to a second voltage level, and an output terminal connected to a second input terminal of said second logic gate wherein in response to an input select signal said programmable multiplexer passes therethrough the signal on one of said input terminals to said output terminal.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim 28 words
The integrated circuit of claim 74 wherein an output terminal of said second logic gate is connected to said line carrying one of said first and second signals.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim 18 words
The integrated circuit of claim 75 wherein said first and second logic gates comprise exclusive OR logic gates.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim 41 words
The integrated circuit of claim 70 wherein said programmable logic element is configurable as any one of the group consisting of a D-type flip-flop, a T-type flip-flop, a latch, and a combinatorial signal path in response to a configuration select signal.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim 16 words
The integrated circuit of claim 70 wherein said programmable logic element has a clock/latch enable terminal.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim 74 words
The integrated circuit of claim 78, said programmable logic macrocell further comprising: a programmable clock multiplexer having an output terminal connected to said programmable logic element clock/latch enable terminal and a multiplicity of input terminals, said programmable clock multiplexer in response to an input select signal passing therethrough a signal on a selected input terminal to said output terminal; and means, operatively coupled to said programmable clock multiplexer, for providing said input select signal.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim 55 words
The integrated circuit of claim 79 wherein one product term in said multiplicity of product terms in said product term cluster is connected to one input terminal of said programmable clock multiplexer upon said one product term being disconnected from said product term cluster thereby providing an individual clock signal to said programmable clock multiplexer.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim 22 words
The integrated circuit of claim 70 wherein said programmable logic element further comprises an asynchronous preset terminal and an asynchronous reset terminal.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim 150 words
The integrated circuit as in claim 81 wherein said programmable logic element further comprises a programmable signal connector having first and second input terminals, an asynchronous preset output terminal, and an asynchronous reset output terminal; wherein said programmable signal connector asynchronous preset output terminal is connected to said programmable logic element asynchronous preset terminal; said programmable signal connector asynchronous reset output terminal is connected to said programmable logic element asynchronous reset terminal; and further wherein in response to a first level of an input select signal, said programmable signal connector connects said first input terminal to said asynchronous output reset terminal and said second input terminal to said asynchronous preset output terminal; and in response to a second level of said input select signal, said programmable signal connector connects said second input terminal to said asynchronous reset output terminal and said first input terminal to said asynchronous preset output terminal.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim 59 words
The integrated circuit as in claim 81 wherein one product term in said multiplicity of product terms in said product term cluster is couplable to one input terminal of said programmable signal connector upon said one product term being disconnected from said product term cluster thereby making an individual asynchronous control product term available to said programmable logic element.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim 85 words
The integrated circuit as in claim 83 wherein said programmable logic element further comprises: programmable asynchronous signal source selector having a first input terminal and a first output terminal; wherein said output terminal is connected to one input terminal of said programmable signal connector; and said programmable asynchronous signal source selector first input terminal is connected to said first output terminal in response to an input select signal; and means, operatively connected to said programmable asynchronous signal source selector, for providing said input select signal.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim 36 words
The integrated circuit of claim 84 wherein said one product term in said multiplicity of product terms in said product term cluster is connected to said first input terminal of said programmable asynchronous signal source selector.

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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) 1998-10-09 1999-04-10 1999-10-10 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2002-10-09 2003-04-10 2003-10-10 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2006-10-09 2007-04-10 2007-10-10 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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