摘要:
A reconfigurable processor chip has a mixture of reconfigurable arithmetic cells and logic cells for higher effective utilization than a standard FPGA. The reconfigurable processor includes a standard microprocessor such as an embedded RISC processor. Many different types of interfaces are used to interface between the embedded processor and the reconfigurable portions of the chip, thus allowing for the fastest interface between standard processor code and configurable "hard-wired" functions. A configuration memory stack is provided, allowing for nearly instantaneous reconfiguration. if desired, configuration planes can be shared between ALU function configuration and bus interconnect configuration, allowing more efficient use of stack memory.
摘要:
A computer implemented method for automatically compiling a computer program written in a high level programming language into an intermediate data structure. The data structure is analyzed to identify critical blocks of logic, which can be implemented as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), to improve overall performance. The critical blocks of logic are transformed into new equivalent logic with maximal data parallelism. The parallelized logic is then translated into a Boolean gate representation, which is suitable for implementation on an ASIC. The ASIC may be coupled with a generic microprocessor via custom instruction for the microprocessor. The original computer program is then compiled into object code with the new expanded target instruction set.
摘要:
A method is presented for automatically compiling a high level computer program down into an application specific integrated circuit coupled with a generic microprocessor. The original source code is written in a standard programming language such as ANSI C. Source code analysis is performed by our compiler to automatically determine which blocks of logic are most appropriate for the application specific integrated circuit and which for the generic microprocessor. The complete layout of the application specific integrated circuit is automatically generated by our compiler. Object code for the microprocessor, with custom instructions to invoke the application specific integrated circuit, is also automatically generated by our compiler.
摘要:
An integrated circuit which contains a processor, and configurable logic with configuration memory such that the configurable logic can emulate a large memory array when the contents of the array are very sparse. This structure allows for fast access and a continuous updating capability while remaining internal to the chip. A methodology for recompressing the contents of the configurable logic while updating the configurable logic is also described.
摘要:
The present invention, generally speaking, provides a reconfigurable computing solution that offers the flexibility of software development and the performance of dedicated hardware solutions. A reconfigurable processor chip includes a standard processor, blocks of reconfigurable logic (1101, 1103), and interfaces (319a, 319b, 311) between these elements. The chip allows application code to be recompiled into a combination of software and reloadable hardware blocks using corresponding software tools. A mixture of arithmetic cells and logic cells allows for higher effective utilization of silicon than a standard interconnect. More efficient use of configuration stack memory results, since different sections of converted code require different portions of ALU functions and bus interconnect. Many types of interfaces with the embedded processor are provided, allowing for fast interface between standard processor code and configurable “hard-wired” functions.
摘要:
An integrated circuit having system logic with programmable elements, decoding logic coupled to the programmable elements for addressing the programmable elements and a plurality of input/output buffer circuits for passing signals between the system logic and the exterior of the integrated circuit through input/output terminals is disclosed. Each input/output buffer circuit comprises an output driver stage having an output terminal connected to an input/output terminal; and a plurality of cells, each cell having a multiplexer, a flip-flop connected to an output terminal of the first multiplexer for storing a signal from the first multiplexer, a latch connected to an output terminal of the flip-flop for storing a signal from the flip-flop, and a second multiplexer connected to an output terminal of the latch. The cells connected to each other and cells of other input/output buffer circuits from an output terminal of the flip-flop of one cell to a first input terminal of a first multiplexer of another cell for serial scanning of signals through the cells to test the system logic. Control lines are connected to the output terminals of the latch of the cells and to the decoding logic coupled to the programmable elements so that the programmable elements can be addressed for programming by serially scanning control signals through the cells.
摘要:
An input/output circuit for increasing immunity to voltage spikes from voltage supplies is provided. The circuit includes a first pair of transistors each having their drains connected to an output terminal and their sources connected to voltage supplies. A mechanism is connected to electrically separated voltage supplies to alternately turn on one of the first pair of transistors responsive to an input signal. A transistor is utilized to provide feedback to limit the rise in a ground voltage supply as occurs during ground bounce.
摘要:
An integrated circuit having system logic with programmable elements, decoding logic coupled to the programmable elements for addressing the programmable elements and a plurality of input/output buffer circuits for passing signals between the system logic and the exterior of the integrated circuit through input/output terminals is disclosed. Each input/output buffer circuit comprises an output driver stage having an output terminal connected to an input/output terminal; and a plurality of cells, each cell having a multiplexer, a flip-flop connected to an output terminal of the first multiplexer for storing a signal from the first multiplexer, a latch connected to an output terminal of the flip-flop for storing a signal from the flip-flop, and a second multiplexer connected to an output terminal of the latch. The cells connected to each other and cells of other input/output buffer circuits from an output terminal of the flip-flop of one cell to a first input terminal of a first multiplexer of another cell for serial scanning of signals through the cells to test the system logic. Control lines are connected to the output terminals of the latch of the cells and to the decoding logic coupled to the programmable elements so that the programmable elements can be addressed for programming by serially scanning control signals through the cells.
摘要:
A field programmable gate array integrated circuit which has numerous features for testing prior to programming the antifuses in the integrated circuit is provided. The circuits used to program the antifuses are also used for much of the preprogramming testing. The functionality of continuous series transistors and latch logic blocks may be tested together with the continuity of their programmable connections. Programmable input/output buffer circuits and clock circuits which set the desired clock network paths may be tested with signals on a serial scan path which passes through the input/output buffer circuits and clock circuits. Process characterization tests without the requirement of high-speed test equipment are also provided.
摘要:
An integrated circuit having system logic with programmable elements, decoding logic coupled to the programmable elements for addressing the programmable elements and a plurality of input/output buffer circuits for passing signals between the system logic and the exterior of the integrated circuit through input/output terminals is disclosed. Each input/output buffer circuit comprises an output driver stage having an output terminal connected to an input/output terminal; and a plurality of cells, each cell having a multiplexer, a flip-flop connected to an output terminal of the first multiplexer for storing a signal from the first multiplexer, a latch connected to an output terminal of the first storing means for storing a signal from the first storing means, and a second multiplexer connected to an output terminal of the latch. The cells connected to each other and cells of other input/output buffer circuits from an output terminal of the flip-flop of one cell to a first input terminal of a first multiplexer of another cell for serial scanning of signals through the cells to test the system logic. Control lines are connected to the output terminals of the latch of the cells and to the decoding logic coupled to the programmable elements so that the programmable elements can be addressed for programming by serially scanning control signals through the cells.