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US6370677B1 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method and system for maintaining hierarchy throughout the integrated circuit design process

Assignee: Xilinx Inc
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Filing: 2000-01-20
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Granted: 2002-04-09
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Expires: 2020-01-20
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Abstract

Abstract A method and system for translating abstract structural or behavioral circuit descriptions to physically implementable files, preferably suitable for use in a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or other programmable device. A selection of layouts are generated for a cell definition (a function), allowing optimization and acceleration of circuit placement and routing without compromising design hierarchy or altering design function. Layout transformation functions may be manually initiated or automtically selected and applied during implementation of a placement algorithm.

Inventors

  • 👤 Colin Carruthers
  • 👤 Irene Buchanan

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-08 11:17
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F30/00; G06F30/30; G06F30/34; G06F30/347; G06F30/39; G06F30/392

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 68 words
A method of using alternative layouts for various instances of cell definition in a configurable architecture, the method comprising: creating a default cell definition layout; applying a transformation constant to the default cell definition layout, thereby creating a transformed cell layout; and integrating the default cell definition layout and the transformed cell layout into an algorithm for placement and routing of a user's design in the configurable architecture.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 68 words
A method of using alternative layouts for various instances of cell definition in a configurable architecture, the method comprising: creating a default cell definition layout; applying a transformation constant to the default cell definition layout, thereby creating a transformed cell layout; and integrating the default cell definition layout and the transformed cell layout into an algorithm for placement and routing of a user's design in the configurable architecture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 21 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein applying includes: rotating the default cell definition layout by a predetermined number of degrees.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the predetermined number of degrees is a multiple of 45.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 20 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein applying includes: reflecting the default cell definition layout about a predetermined degree line.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 16 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein the predetermined degree line is a multiple of 45.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4918440A Cited
US5448493A Cited
US5659484A Cited
US5557533A Cited
US5661663A Cited
US5838954A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2005-04-08 2005-10-08 2006-04-09 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2009-04-08 2009-10-08 2010-04-09 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2013-04-08 2013-10-08 2014-04-09 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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