Increased propagation speed across integrated circuits

A programmable integrated circuit device comprising:

• a first antenna coupled to a first sequential logic element;
• a second antenna coupled to a second sequential logic element, the first antenna not being coupled to the second antenna;
• and
• means for propagating an electromagnetic wave of wavelength A in air to the first and second antennas such that both the first and second sequential logic elements are clocked by the same clock signal of wavelength A, neither of the first and second sequential logic elements receiving a clock signal of wavelength A from a clock distribution network of the programmable integrated circuit device.

A method, comprising:

• launching an electromagnetic wave of wavelength A inside an integrated circuit package, the integrated circuit package containing a field programmable gate array integrated circuit, the field programmable gate array integrated circuit having a substantially planar surface, the electromagnetic wave propagating through air inside the integrated circuit package in a direction substantially parallel to the substantially planar surface;
• receiving the electromagnetic wave of wavelength A on a first antenna of the field programmable gate array integrated circuit such that a first sequential logic element is clocked with a clock signal of wavelength A;
• and
• receiving the electromagnetic wave of wavelength A on a second antenna of the field programmable gate array integrated circuit such that a second sequential logic element is clocked with a clock signal of wavelength A, the field programmable gate array integrated circuit including no clock distribution network that supplies a clock signal to either the first sequential logic element or to the second sequential logic element.

A field programmable gate array integrated circuit device comprising:

• an integrated circuit package;
• and
• a field programmable gate array integrated circuit contained in the integrated circuit package, the field programmable gate array integrated circuit comprising:
• a plurality of user-programmable memory cells for programmably configuring the field programmable gate array integrated circuit;
• and
• an RF receiver circuit having an input lead coupled to an antenna, an electromagnetic wave of wavelength A propagating from a source outside the field programmable gate array integrated circuit device through the integrated circuit package and into the field programmable gate array integrated circuit device, the electromagnetic wave inducing a signal on the antenna such that the RF receiver circuit amplifies the signal and outputs a corresponding digital signal, the RF receiver circuit being tuned to wavelength A, the RF receiver circuit comprising one of the user-programmable memory cells, the RF receiver circuit being disabled when said one of the user-programmable memory cells contains a predetermined logic value.