Functional pre-configuration of a programmable logic device
AssigneeAltera Corporation
InventorJames M. Tyson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Pre-configuration of a programmable device permits implementation and operation of the device using a first, dedicated operation usable upon power up of the programmable device without the need for programming the device using external configuration data. Configuration data can be provided in any suitable manner to re-configure the device to perform a second, programmable operation. The pre-configured design preferably uses programmable resources and leaves dedicated resources undisturbed during both first and second operations.
Claims32
A programmable device comprising:
- dedicated resources;
- programmable resources;
- and
- a pre-configured design implemented on at least the programmable resources;
- wherein the device is configured to implement a dedicated operation upon power up of the device using the preconfigured design without programming the device using configuration data.
A programmable device comprising:
- a plurality of configuration units, each configuration unit comprising:
- a configurable component;
- a selector having an output connect to the configurable component;
- a RAM having an output connected to one input of the selector;
- a pre-configured design having an output connected to one input of the selector;
- and
- a control signal generator for controlling which input of the selector is passed to the output of the selector;
- wherein passing the output of the preconfigured design to the output of the selector configures the configurable component to perform a first operation;
- and
- further wherein passing the output of the RAM to the output of the selector configures the configurable component to perform a second operation.
A method comprising:
- pre-configuring a programmable device with a pre-configured design;
- powering up the device;
- implementing a first operation on the device using the pre-configured design;
- performing the first operation;
- providing configuration data to the device;
- configuring the device using the configuration data to implement a second operation;
- and
- performing the second operation.
A method comprising:
- providing a pre-configured design to a programmable device using a metal layer in the device;
- powering up the device;
- configuring the device using the pre-configured design to implement a first operation;
- performing the first operation;
- providing configuration data to the device;
- re-configuring the device using the configuration data to implement a second operation;
- and
- performing the second operation.
A die comprising:
- dedicated resources;
- programmable resources;
- and
- a pre-configured design implemented on at least the programmable resources;
- wherein the die is configured to implement a dedicated operation upon power up of the die using the pre-configured design without programming the die using configuration data.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.