US6028445A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Decoder structure and method for FPGA configuration
Assignee: Xilinx Inc
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Filing: 1997-12-30
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Granted: 2000-02-22
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Expires: 2017-12-30
Abstract
Abstract A method is provided for configuring an FPGA using a decoder implemented in the FPGA. Specifically, an external configuration device or an embedded non-volatile memory configures a first portion of the FPGA as a decoder. Encoded configuration data is transferred to the decoder, which then configures other portions of the FPGA. In one embodiment, the decoder is a decompression unit, which decompresses compressed configuration data. In another embodiment, the decoder is an interpreter, which interprets configuration commands. In some embodiments, the portion of the FPGA used for the decoder can be reconfigured after the configuration of the other portions of the FPGA.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary R. Lawman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 05:40
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F30/00; G06F30/30; G06F30/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
58 words
A method for configuring a field programmable gate array (FPGA) having a first configuration access port, the method comprising the steps of: configuring a first portion of the FPGA as a decoder through the first configuration access port; transferring encoded configuration data to the decoder; and configuring a second portion of the FPGA using the encoded configuration data.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
58 words
A method for configuring a field programmable gate array (FPGA) having a first configuration access port, the method comprising the steps of: configuring a first portion of the FPGA as a decoder through the first configuration access port; transferring encoded configuration data to the decoder; and configuring a second portion of the FPGA using the encoded configuration data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of decoding the encoded configuration data.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the FPGA is configured through a second configuration access port.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the encoded configuration data comprises compressed configuration data.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of decompressing the compressed configuration data with the decoder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the encoded configuration data comprises one or more configuration commands.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of interpreting the configuration commands.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the FPGA comprises an embedded non-volatile memory, the method further comprising the step of transferring the encoded configuration data from the embedded non-volatile memory to the first configuration access port.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of programming the encoded configuration data into the embedded non-volatile memory.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the FPGA comprises a dedicated configuration port, and the encoded configuration data is transferred to the decoder through the configuration port.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of reconfiguring the first portion of the FPGA after configuring a second portion of the FPGA using the encoded configuration data.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of configuring a third portion of the FPGA as a first configuration port.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 12, wherein the encoded configuration data is transferred to the decoder from the first configuration port.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of reconfiguring the first portion of the FPGA.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of reconfiguring the second portion of the FPGA.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
69 words
A field programmable gate array (FPGA) having user logic circuits and a configuration structure, the FPGA comprising: an internal configuration access port coupling the user logic circuits to the configuration structure; and an embedded non-volatile memory coupled to the configuration access port, the embedded non-volatile memory comprising a first set of configuration data to configure a first portion of the FPGA as a decoder for decoding additional configuration data.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
69 words
A field programmable gate array (FPGA) having user logic circuits and a configuration structure, the FPGA comprising: an internal configuration access port coupling the user logic circuits to the configuration structure; and an embedded non-volatile memory coupled to the configuration access port, the embedded non-volatile memory comprising a first set of configuration data to configure a first portion of the FPGA as a decoder for decoding additional configuration data.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The FPGA of claim 16, wherein the embedded non-volatile memory further comprises encoded configuration data to configure a second portion of the FPGA.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The FPGA of claim 16, wherein the embedded non-volatile memory further comprises a second set of configuration data to configure a second portion of the FPGA as a configuration port.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The FPGA of claim 16, wherein the embedded non-volatile memory further comprises a second set of configuration data to reconfigure the first portion of the FPGA.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The FPGA of claim 16, wherein the decoder comprises a decompression unit.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
11 words
The FPGA of claim 16, wherein the decoder comprises an interpreter.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
64 words
A configuration device for configuring a field programmable gate array (FPGA), the configuration device comprising: an interface to couple the configuration device to a first configuration port of the FPGA; and a first memory coupled to the interface, the first memory comprising a first set of configuration data to configure a first portion of the FPGA as a decoder for decoding additional configuration data.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
64 words
A configuration device for configuring a field programmable gate array (FPGA), the configuration device comprising: an interface to couple the configuration device to a first configuration port of the FPGA; and a first memory coupled to the interface, the first memory comprising a first set of configuration data to configure a first portion of the FPGA as a decoder for decoding additional configuration data.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The configuration device of claim 22, wherein the first memory further comprises a second set of configuration data to configure a second portion of the FPGA as a second configuration port.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The configuration device of claim 22, wherein the first memory further comprises encoded configuration data to configure a second portion of the FPGA.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
The configuration device of claim 22, wherein the first memory further comprises a second set of configuration data to reconfigure the first portion of the FPGA.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
The configuration device of claim 22, further comprising a second memory comprising a second set of configuration data to reconfigure the first portion of the FPGA.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
13 words
The configuration device of claim 22, wherein the decoder comprises a decompression unit.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
The configuration device of claim 22, wherein the decoder comprises an interpreter.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
The configuration device of claim 22, wherein the configuration device comprises a non-volatile memory.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-02-21 | 2003-08-23 | 2004-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-02-21 | 2007-08-23 | 2008-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-02-21 | 2011-08-23 | 2012-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |