Computer-aided design and analysis of circuits and semiconductor – Nanotechnology related integrated circuit design
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-22
2001-11-06
Smith, Matthew (Department: 2768)
Computer-aided design and analysis of circuits and semiconductor
Nanotechnology related integrated circuit design
C716S030000, C326S037000, C326S038000, C326S039000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06314551
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to integrated circuits in general and, more particularly, to a system processing unit which can be extended using a plurality of programmable logic units for a plurality of functions.
2. Description of Related Art
The concepts of integrated circuits and computer systems are generally well known. A typical computer system is made up of a multitude of different, specialized computer chips. Chip makers can now place an increasingly large number of transistors on a single chip. For example, currently chip manufacturers are able to place up to ten million transistors on a single integrated circuit or monolithic substrate. It is anticipated that within several years chip makers will be able to place one billion transistors on a single chip. Thus, computer systems are evolving toward comprising a handful of computer chips, where each computer chip comprises a plurality of functions. Economies of scale in manufacturing require that start-up costs be amortized over as many pieces of a product as possible to keep per-unit costs low. Custom integrated circuits are usually only produced in limited numbers, making the per-unit costs much higher than standard integrated circuits. This makes many custom integrated circuits uncompetitive in the marketplace. Therefore, an improved system is desired which allows a variety of custom integrated circuits to be designed and manufactured as a single integrated circuit, so that start-up costs can be amortized over a plurality of different integrated circuit products.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a main system processing unit which can be extended using a plurality of programmable logic units for a plurality of possible functions. The main system processing unit is preferably comprised in an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit also includes a plurality of functional logic blocks, a plurality of input/output (I/O) pads, and programmable logic coupled to each of the plurality of functional logic blocks. The main system processing unit is operable to perform a first function. Each of the plurality of functional logic blocks is operable to perform a respective function. The pro(grammable logic is operable to route data to and from various ones of the plurality of functional logic blocks. The programmable logic is also programmable to configure operation of two or more of the plurality of functional logic blocks and is also programmable to create data paths between two or more of the plurality of functional logic blocks to configure the integrated circuit for one of the plurality of possible functions. The plurality of I/O pads are coupled to the main system processing unit and the plurality of functional logic blocks. The I/O pads are operable to transfer data signals between the integrated circuit and an external device.
In one embodiment, the programmable logic is further configurable to perform a function different from each of the plurality of functional logic blocks. The programmable logic is preferably non-volatile. The integrated circuit preferably further comprises a memory for storing program instructions executable by the main system processing unit. In this embodiment, the main system processing unit is operable to program the programmable logic in response to execution of the program instructions. The program instructions may be downloadable from an external device. In another embodiment, the programmable logic is further configurable to selectively disable one or more of the functional logic blocks. In still another embodiment, one or more functional blocks may be selectably permanently disabled during configuration or manufacture, that is, the one or more functional blocks to be disabled are no longer functional for their respective original purpose.
In another embodiment, the programmable logic is further coupled to the main system processing unit and the plurality of I/O pads, and the programmable logic is further operable to route data to and from the main system processing unit and the plurality of I/O pads. In yet another embodiment, the functional logic blocks include a first group of functional logic blocks and a second group of functional logic blocks, with the second group of functional logic blocks being redundant ones of the first group of functional logic blocks. The programmable logic is operable to route data to one of the first group of functional logic blocks and a respective one of the second group of functional logic blocks. The programmable logic is preferably further configurable to reroute data bound to and from one of the first group of functional logic blocks to a redundant one of the second group of functional logic blocks.
A system is also disclosed for configuring the integrated circuit for one of a plurality of possible functions. The system comprises a computer system, the integrated circuit, and a cable for operatively coupling the computer system and the integrated circuit. The computer system preferably includes a system bus for transferring commands and data, a processor coupled to said system bus, a memory which is operable to store commands and data in a form accessible by the processor, and an I/O port coupled to said system bus. The processor is operable to execute the commands and operate on the data, and the I/O port is operable to conduct programming instructions and data in response to processor operation. The integrated circuit is coupled to the I/O port and receives the programming instructions and data from the I/O port which operates to configure the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit is configurable for a plurality of possible functions and includes a main system processing unit, a plurality of functional logic blocks, programmable logic, and a plurality of I/O pads.
The plurality of I/O pads are operable to transfer data signals between the I/O port of the computer system and the integrated circuit. The processor is operable to execute an application which provides the programming instructions and data to the I/O port, wherein the programming instructions and data operate to configure the integrated circuit with one of the plurality of possible functions. The application configures the programmable logic on the integrated circuit through the I/O port, and the integrated circuit receives a configuration from the application through the I/O pads. The cable preferably couples the I/O port and the I/O pads. In one embodiment, the I/O port includes a plurality of computer system I/O pins, and the integrated circuit further includes a plurality of I/O pins operatively coupled to the plurality of I/O pads. One or more of the I/O pads is operable to accept I/O from one or more of the plurality of I/O pins.
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Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
Smith Matthew
Speight Jibreel
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