US 5,327,023 A · Programmable logic device

Abstract

A programmable logic device of the present invention is constructed to reduce the number of switching elements in wire switches when programmably connecting logical elements by using wire groups. A plurality of programmable wire groups are wired in vertical and horizontal channels between logical elements arranged in array. The wire groups are combined to intersect preferably in crosses. The wire groups are short-circuit-connected at the intersections or connected through programmable switching elements. Programmable connections are effected through wire switching means middled between the wire elements provided between the adjacent intersections. Hence, the programmable logic device of this invention is capable of reducing the areas occupied by the switching elements in the switching means and attaining a high degree of freedom of wiring and a high integration.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A programmable logic device comprising:

a plurality of logical elements arranged in an array;
and
wire means disposed in vertical and horizontal channels between said logical elements to connect arbitrarily and programmably said logical elements,
wherein said wire means include:
wire groups each consisting of a plurality of wire elements and combinable to intersect each other;
connecting means, provided at intersections of said wire groups, for connecting one wire element of one wire group to a corresponding wire element of another wire group of two wire groups combinable to intersect each other at the intersection;
and
switching means, provided between adjacent intersections, for connecting programmably and mutually said plurality of wire elements of each said wire group.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Programmable logic device

Life of this patent

Programmable logic device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13