Patent US5764076A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5764076A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Circuit for partially reprogramming an operational programmable logic device
Assignee: Xilinx Inc
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Filing: 1996-06-26
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Granted: 1998-06-09
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Expires: 2016-06-26
Abstract
Abstract A complex programmable logic device (PLD) that includes a number of programmable function blocks and an instruction bus for receiving programming instructions. The programming instructions are used to program the function blocks to enable the PLD to perform one or more desired logic functions. The PLD also includes an instruction-blocking circuit that is connected to each of the functional blocks. When directed by a user, the instruction blocking circuit selectively blocks programming instructions on the instruction bus from one or more of the function blocks while allowing the other function blocks to receive the programming instructions. Thus, one or more function blocks in the PLD are reprogrammed without interrupting the operation of the remaining function blocks.
Inventors
- 👤 Napoleon W. Lee
- 👤 Derek R. Curd
- 👤 Jeffrey H. Seltzer
- 👤 Jeffrey Goldberg
- 👤 David Chiang
- 👤 Kameswara K. Rao
- 👤 Nicholas Kucharewski, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 15:51
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K19/00; H03K19/02; H03K19/173; H03K19/177; H03K19/17748; H03K19/17752; G; G06; G06F; G06F30/00; G06F30/30; G06F30/34; H03K19/17704; H03K19/17756
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
A programmable logic device comprising: an instruction bus receiving programming instructions; a first programmable function unit connected to the instruction bus; a second programmable function unit connected to the instruction bus; and an instruction-blocking circuit connected to each of the first and second programmable function units, the blocking circuit selectively blocking programming instructions from the instruction bus to one of the first and second programmable function units.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
A programmable logic device comprising: an instruction bus receiving programming instructions; a first programmable function unit connected to the instruction bus; a second programmable function unit connected to the instruction bus; and an instruction-blocking circuit connected to each of the first and second programmable function units, the blocking circuit selectively blocking programming instructions from the instruction bus to one of the first and second programmable function units.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the instruction blocking circuit is a register connected to a command bus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the first programmable function unit is reprogrammable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the first programmable function unit is programmed to implement a first logic function and the second programmable function unit is programmed to implement a second logic function, and wherein the second programmable function unit is reprogrammable during a time that the first programmable function unit performs the first logic function.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the blocking circuit comprises: an input node connected to the instruction bus; and first and second output nodes connected to the first and second functional units, respectively.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device of claim 5, wherein the input node is configured to receive a blocking instruction on the instruction bus, the blocking instruction indicating which of the first and second functional units responds to subsequent programming instruction on the instruction bus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
An integrated circuit comprising: first and second programmable function units programmed to perform first and second logic functions, respectively; and means for reprogramming the first programmable function unit during a time that the second programmable function unit performs the second logic function.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
An integrated circuit comprising: first and second programmable function units programmed to perform first and second logic functions, respectively; and means for reprogramming the first programmable function unit during a time that the second programmable function unit performs the second logic function.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The circuit of claim 7, further comprising means for reprogramming the second programmable function unit during a time that the first programmable function unit performs the first logic function.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of partially reprogramming a programmable logic device having first and second functional units, wherein the first and second functional units are programmed to implement first and second logic functions, respectively, the method comprising: providing programming instructions to the programmable logic device; and blocking the instructions to the first functional unit so that the first functional unit does not respond to the instructions.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of partially reprogramming a programmable logic device having first and second functional units, wherein the first and second functional units are programmed to implement first and second logic functions, respectively, the method comprising: providing programming instructions to the programmable logic device; and blocking the instructions to the first functional unit so that the first functional unit does not respond to the instructions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-06-08 | 2001-12-08 | 2002-06-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-08 | 2005-12-08 | 2006-06-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-08 | 2009-12-08 | 2010-06-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |