US6324672B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for configuring circuits over a data communications link
Assignee: Xilinx Inc
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Filing: 2000-02-16
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Granted: 2001-11-27
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Expires: 2020-02-16
Abstract
Abstract A method of specifying design parameters is provided for configuring circuits for programmable ICs. A design database describing a circuit is displayed in table-based format on a computer screen display. The design database may include a memory map including data to be placed in bit-storage space in the target programmable IC. This design database requires no schematics or HDL description of the circuit, even for complicated application-specific circuits. The desired parameters are entered by the user, typically using toggle buttons, pull-down menus, or keyboard entry. The selected parameters are then entered into the design database, thereby configuring the design database in accordance with the selected parameters. Next, the design database is transmitted over a data communications link such as the internet to a second computer, on which the compilation software resides. The design is then compiled and the resulting netlist is transmitted back to the originating computer. In one embodiment, a schematic symbol or HDL instantiation is also generated by the second computer, and transmitted back to the originating computer.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary R. Lawman
- 👤 Joseph D. Linoff
- 👤 Robert W. Wells
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 17:16
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F30/00; G06F30/30; G06F30/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of off-loading work from a computer while generating a netlist representing a circuit, the method comprising: on a first computer, receiving a selection of parameters from a user, the parameters being specified by the user based on desired characteristics for the circuit; on the first computer, entering the parameters in a design file; transmitting the design file from the first computer to a second computer over a data communications link; remotely compiling, on the second computer, the design file to generate the netlist; and transmitting the netlist from the second computer to the first computer over the data communications link.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of off-loading work from a computer while generating a netlist representing a circuit, the method comprising: on a first computer, receiving a selection of parameters from a user, the parameters being specified by the user based on desired characteristics for the circuit; on the first computer, entering the parameters in a design file; transmitting the design file from the first computer to a second computer over a data communications link; remotely compiling, on the second computer, the design file to generate the netlist; and transmitting the netlist from the second computer to the first computer over the data communications link.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the data communications link comprises a Wide Area Network.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the data communications link comprises a Local Area Network (LAN).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the data communications link comprises first and second transducers forming links to each of the first and second computers, respectively.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: remotely generating, on the second computer, a schematic symbol that represents the netlist; and transmitting the schematic symbol from the second computer to the first computer over the data communications link.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: remotely generating, on the second computer, an HDL instantiation that represents the netlist; and transmitting the HDL instantiation from the second computer to the first computer over the data communications link.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of off-loading work from a computer while placing and routing a circuit, the method comprising: on a first computer, receiving a selection of parameters from a user, the parameters being specified by the user based on desired characteristics for the circuit; on the first computer, entering the parameters in a design file; transmitting the design file from the first computer to a second computer over a data communications link; remotely generating, on the second computer, a placed and routed design from the design file; and transmitting the placed and routed design from the second computer to the first computer over the data communications link.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of off-loading work from a computer while placing and routing a circuit, the method comprising: on a first computer, receiving a selection of parameters from a user, the parameters being specified by the user based on desired characteristics for the circuit; on the first computer, entering the parameters in a design file; transmitting the design file from the first computer to a second computer over a data communications link; remotely generating, on the second computer, a placed and routed design from the design file; and transmitting the placed and routed design from the second computer to the first computer over the data communications link.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein the data communications link comprises a Wide Area Network.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein the data communications link comprises a Local Area Network (LAN).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein the data communications link comprises first and second transducers forming links to each of the first and second computers, respectively.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
122 words
A method of off-loading work from a computer while generating a device program file representing at least a portion of a programmable integrated circuit (IC), the method comprising: on a first computer, receiving a selection of parameters from a user, the parameters being specified by the user based on desired characteristics for a circuit to be implemented in the programmable IC; on the first computer, entering the parameters in a design file; transmitting the design file from the first computer to a second computer over a data communications link; remotely generating, on the second computer, the device program file from the design file; and transmitting the device program file from the second computer to the first computer over the data communications link.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
122 words
A method of off-loading work from a computer while generating a device program file representing at least a portion of a programmable integrated circuit (IC), the method comprising: on a first computer, receiving a selection of parameters from a user, the parameters being specified by the user based on desired characteristics for a circuit to be implemented in the programmable IC; on the first computer, entering the parameters in a design file; transmitting the design file from the first computer to a second computer over a data communications link; remotely generating, on the second computer, the device program file from the design file; and transmitting the device program file from the second computer to the first computer over the data communications link.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein the data communications link comprises a Wide Area Network.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein the data communications link comprises a Local Area Network (LAN).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein the data communications link comprises first and second transducers forming links to each of the first and second computers, respectively.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of off-loading work from a computer while generating a schematic symbol for a logic circuit, the method comprising: entering, on a first computer, data descriptive of the logic circuit; transmitting the data from the first computer to a second computer over a data communications link; remotely generating, on the second computer, the schematic symbol from the transmitted data; and transmitting the schematic symbol from the second computer to the first computer over the data communications link.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of off-loading work from a computer while generating a schematic symbol for a logic circuit, the method comprising: entering, on a first computer, data descriptive of the logic circuit; transmitting the data from the first computer to a second computer over a data communications link; remotely generating, on the second computer, the schematic symbol from the transmitted data; and transmitting the schematic symbol from the second computer to the first computer over the data communications link.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the data communications link comprises a Wide Area Network.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the data communications link comprises a Local Area Network (LAN).
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the data communications link comprises first and second transducers forming links to each of the first and second computers, respectively.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of off-loading work from a computer while generating an HDL instantiation for a logic circuit, the method comprising: entering, on a first computer, data descriptive of the logic circuit; transmitting the data from the first computer to a second computer over a data communications link; remotely generating, on the second computer, the HDL instantiation from the transmitted data; and transmitting the HDL instantiation from the second computer to the first computer over the data communications link.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of off-loading work from a computer while generating an HDL instantiation for a logic circuit, the method comprising: entering, on a first computer, data descriptive of the logic circuit; transmitting the data from the first computer to a second computer over a data communications link; remotely generating, on the second computer, the HDL instantiation from the transmitted data; and transmitting the HDL instantiation from the second computer to the first computer over the data communications link.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 19 , wherein the data communications link comprises a Wide Area Network.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 19 , wherein the data communications link comprises a Local Area Network (LAN).
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 19 , wherein the data communications link comprises first and second transducers forming links to each of the first and second computers, respectively.
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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) | 2004-11-26 | 2005-05-28 | 2005-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-11-26 | 2009-05-28 | 2009-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-11-26 | 2013-05-28 | 2013-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |