Dynamically programmable gate array with multiple contexts

An integrated dynamically programmable logic array, comprising:

• at least a two dimensional array of programmable logic elements, each one of the logic elements receiving plural input logic signals from plural other logic elements and including locally stored multiple contexts dictating different combinatorial logic operations performed by the logic elements;
• and
• a context signal source that provides a context signal, indicating an active one of the contexts, commonly to the programmable logic elements of the array;
• and
• wherein the contexts for the logic elements are stored in separately addressable context memory vectors holding truth tables for the combinatorial logic operations so that a new truth table is storable in a first one of the context memory vectors while a truth table of a second one of the context memory vectors is dictating the logic operations performed by the logic elements.

An integrated dynamically programmable gate array, comprising:

• a two dimensional array of programmable gates, each one of the gates including:
• at least two separately addressable and programmable memories for storing truth tables of different contexts corresponding to different combinatorial logic operations;
• a memory selector for activating one of truth tables in response to a context signal;
• a multiplexer generating an output logic signal by addressing the activated memory in response to input logic signals from other gates in the two dimensional array;
• and
• a gate interconnect for transmitting the output logic signals received from the gates of the array as the input logic signals to the gates of the array;
• and
• a context selector for generating the context signal commonly received by the gates of the array.

A method for operating an integrated dynamically programmable gate array including a two dimensional array of programmable gates, the method comprising:

• providing each one of the gates with plural input logic signals from plural other gates;
• locally storing multiple contexts at the gates;
• performing different combinatorial logic operations with the gates by accessing the multiple contexts;
• providing a context signal indicating an active one of the contexts, the active context dictating the logic operation of the gates;
• commonly providing the context signal to the programmable gates of the arrays
• individually accessing the contexts;
• and
• loading new contexts into the programmable gates while other contexts are controlling logic operations of the gates.