Abstract:
A target interface system for flexibly routing and timing communication signals exchanged between selected components of a communication system and methods for manufacturing and using same. Under the control of a host system, the target interface system samples an output data signal provided by the host system and includes a reconfigurable datapath for flexibly routing the sampled data signal to a selected target I/O pin of the target interface system. The selected target I/O pin provides the sampled data signal as an outgoing target data signal to a target system and likewise receives an incoming target data signal from the target system. Upon sampling the incoming target data signal, the target interface system flexibly routes the sampled data signal to the host system as an input data signal. The target interface system thereby facilitates exchanges of communication signals between the host system and the target system.
Abstract:
Clusters of processors are interconnected as an emulation engine such that processors share input and data stacks, and the setup and storing of results are done in parallel, but the output of one evaluation unit is connected to the input of the next evaluation unit. A set of nullcascadenull connections provides access to the intermediate values. By tapping intermediate values from one processor, and feeding them to the next, a significant emulation speedup is achieved.
Abstract:
A method for resynthesizing gated clocks in a clock cone of a logic design having more than one input clock where the logic design will be implemented in a hardware logic emulation system. By resynthesizing the gated clocks, timing in the circuit becomes predictable. In the method, predicting logic that predicts which edges of said at least two input clocks may cause a hold time violation on a gated clock is generated. Then, the outputs from the predicting logic are connected to a gated clock resolution circuit, which outputs the resynthesized clock.
Abstract:
An integrated circuit for implementing reconfigurable logic, such as a field programmable gate array ("FPGA"), as described herein has multiple blocks of multi-ported memory. The memory has a plurality of read ports and a plurality of write ports. Each port of the multi-ported memory can be configured with a width and depth that is independent and separate from the width and depth of the other ports. The memory also includes a port for taking a synchronous snapshot of the contents of the memory or for loading the memory to an initial state. The memory shares routing lines used by a low level logic element thereby alleviating the need to add routing lines to an interconnect network just to satisfy the memory requirements.
Abstract:
A logic analysis subsystem in a time-sliced emulator. The logic analysis subsystem "reconstructs" signals that were previously reduced by the compiler and allows the user to set breakpoints and triggers using these and other signals of the emulated circuit. The present invention includes a "logic analysis subsystem compiler" and "logic analysis subsystem hardware." The logic analysis subsystem compiler is either a subpart of the regular emulator compiler or is a standalone compiler. It compiles the design to be emulated and generates control instructions for the logic analysis subsystem hardware. The logic analysis subsystem hardware is incorporated into the time-sliced emulator to receive signals generated by the emulator during emulation. When the logic analysis subsystem operates, the control instructions cause the logic analysis subsystem to reconstruct previously reduced signals received from the emulator. These signals (along with the signals received from the emulator) may be used by the user to set breakpoints and triggers in the logic analysis subsystem.
Abstract:
An overcurrent protection circuit for input/Output (I/O) buffers for a Field Programmable Gate Array wherein short circuits can be detected and the output current limited so as to avoid damaging the device. I/O buffers having the overcurrent protection circuit can detect a contention between the buffers. In order to eliminate the contention, certain I/O buffers will go into a noncontending state.
Abstract:
A method for optimizing a logical design for emulation. The present invention optimzes latch-based designs by transforming them into a flip-flop based circuit. The design is analyzed to determine whether any consecutive latches are clocked by the same clock signal. If consecutive latches are clocked by the same clock signal, for example, the same phase of the same master clock, a transparency condition exists. Transparent latches are transformed into either a flip-flop/buffer/multiplexer circuit or a buffer circuit depending upon whether the latch in the logic design has an enable input. If consecutive latches in a design are clocked by different clock signals, i.e., different phases of the master clock, no transparency condition exists. Non-transparent latches are transformed into a flip-flop.
Abstract:
A plurality of electronically reconfigurable gate array (ERCGA) logic chips are interconnected via a reconfigurable interconnect, and electronic representations of large digital networks are converted to take temporary actual operating hardware form on the interconnected chips. The reconfigurable interconnect permits the digital network realized on the interconnected chips to be changed at will, making the system well suited for a variety of purposes including simulation, prototyping, execution and computing. The reconfigurable interconnect may comprise a partial crossbar that is formed of ERCGA chips dedicated to interconnection functions, wherein each such interconnect ERCGA is connected to at least one, but not all of the pins of a plurality of the logic chips. Other reconfigurable interconnect topologies are also detailed.
Abstract:
A method and a structure for implementing integrated circuit designs into a plurality of clocked and unclocked reprogrammable logic circuits. Software structures analyze the target logic circuit, form clusters, partitions the integrated circuit design and implement the partitions into the clocked and unclocked reprogrammable logic circuits in order to prevent hold time violation artifacts.
Abstract:
A plurality of electronically reconfigurable gate array (ERCGA) logic circuits are interconnected via a reconfigurable interconnect, and electronic representations of large digital networks are converted to take temporary actual operating hardware form on the interconnected circuits. The reconfigurable interconnect permits the digital network realized on the interconnected circuits to be changed at will, making the system well suited for a variety of purposes including simulation, prototyping, execution and computing. The reconfigurable interconnect may comprise a partial crossbar that is formed of ERCGA circuits dedicated to interconnection functions, wherein each such interconnect ERCGA is connected to at least one, but not all of the pins of a plurality of the logic circuits. Other reconfigurable interconnect topologies are also detailed. If desired, the logic circuits and interconnect can be implemented in wafer-scale technology. Hybrid simulation employing both an ERCGA hardware simulator and a second simulator permits intermediate states of a circuit's operation to be reached quickly and analyzed in detail.