U.S. patent application number 09/747191 was filed with the patent office on 2001-08-23 for dual port programmable logic device variable depth and width memory array.
This patent application is currently assigned to Altera Corporation. Invention is credited to Cliff, Richard G., Lane, Christopher F., Mejia, Manuel, Reddy, Srinivas T., Veenstra, Kerry.
Application Number | 20010015933 09/747191 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26742919 |
Filed Date | 2001-08-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010015933 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Reddy, Srinivas T. ; et
al. |
August 23, 2001 |
Dual port programmable logic device variable depth and width memory
array
Abstract
A dual-port programmable logic device memory array is provided.
Selectable-size data words may be written to and read from the
array concurrently. Data is written into the array using write
column decoder and data selection logic. The size of the data words
handled by the write column decoder and data selection logic is
controlled by mode select signals. Data is read from the array
using read column decoder and data selection logic. The size of the
data words handled by the read column decoder and data selection
logic is also controlled by mode select signals. The write column
decoder and data selection logic may be used to write data into the
memory array at one selected location at the same time that the
read column decoder and data selection logic is used to read data
from the array at another selected location. A write row address
decoder and a read row address decoder are used to independently
address individual rows of memory cells in the memory array during
writing and reading, respectively.
Inventors: |
Reddy, Srinivas T.;
(Fremont, CA) ; Lane, Christopher F.; (Campbell,
CA) ; Mejia, Manuel; (San Jose, CA) ; Cliff,
Richard G.; (Milpitas, CA) ; Veenstra, Kerry;
(San Jose, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FISH & NEAVE
1251 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
50TH FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
10020-1105
US
|
Assignee: |
Altera Corporation
|
Family ID: |
26742919 |
Appl. No.: |
09/747191 |
Filed: |
December 21, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09747191 |
Dec 21, 2000 |
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09519166 |
Mar 6, 2000 |
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09519166 |
Mar 6, 2000 |
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09107533 |
Jun 30, 1998 |
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6052327 |
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60062966 |
Oct 14, 1997 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
365/230.05 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11C 7/1006
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
365/230.05 |
International
Class: |
G11C 008/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A programmable logic device comprising: a plurality of
programmable logic regions; a dual-port variable depth and width
memory array; and a plurality of interconnects for routing signals
between the programmable logic regions and the dual-port variable
depth and width memory array.
2. The programmable logic device of claim 1 wherein the dual-port
variable depth and width memory array operates in at least
.times.1, .times.2, .times.4, .times.8 and .times.16 data width
modes.
3. The programmable logic device of claim 1 wherein the dual-port
variable depth and width memory array comprises: a memory array
having a plurality of rows and columns of memory cells for storing
data; variable depth and width writing circuitry for performing
write operations with selectable-size data words by addressing
selected write locations within the memory array and by writing
data words into those write locations; and variable depth and width
reading circuitry for performing read operations with
selectable-size data words concurrently with the write operations
performed by the writing circuitry by addressing selected read
locations within the memory array and by reading data words from
those read locations.
4. The programmable logic device of claim 3 wherein the writing
circuitry comprises: a write column decoder and data selection
logic responsive to write column address information; and the
reading circuitry comprises a read column decoder and data
selection logic responsive to read column address information.
5. The programmable logic device of claim 1 wherein the
programmable logic regions contain a plurality of programmable
logic subregions.
6. The programmable logic device of claim 1 wherein the memory
array is a static random-access memory (SRAM) array.
7. A method for concurrently writing to and reading data from a
variable depth and width dual-port memory array having a plurality
of rows and columns of memory cells for storing data in a
programmable logic device having logic circuitry, comprising:
performing write operations with selectable-size data words by
addressing selected write locations within the memory array and by
writing data words into those write locations; and performing read
operations with selectable-size data words concurrently with the
write operations performed by the writing circuitry by addressing
selected read locations within the memory array and by reading data
words from those read locations.
8. The method of claim 7 further comprising using input registers
to register the data words to be written to the memory array.
9. The method of claim 7 further comprising using output registers
to register the data words that have been read from the memory
array.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
09/519,166, filed Mar. 6, 2000, which is a continuation of
application Ser. No. 09/107,533, filed Jun. 30, 1998, now U.S. Pat.
No. 6,052,327, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
application No. 60/062,966, filed Oct. 14, 1997.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to programmable logic devices. More
particularly, this invention relates to dual-port programmable
logic device variable depth and width memory arrays.
[0003] Programmable logic devices are integrated circuits that are
programmable by a user to perform various logic functions. At their
most basic level, programmable logic devices contain programmable
components, such as erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM)
transistors, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory
(EEPROM) transistors, random access memory (RAM) transistors or
cells, fuses, and antifuses. Higher-level functions are provided by
organizing the programmable components into groups of components.
The groups of components are electrically connected to one another
by programmable interconnections. An illustrative programmable
logic device is described in Cliff et al. U.S. Pat. No.
5,689,195.
[0004] Programmable logic devices such as those described in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,689,195 generally have arrays of random-access memory
(RAM) for storing data during device operation. The memory arrays,
which are sometimes referred to as embedded array blocks (EABs),
are made up of rows and columns of memory cells. The word size used
to access data in the memory arrays is generally smaller than the
physical dimensions of the memory arrays. For example, a two
kilobit (2K) memory array might have 64 rows and 32 columns of
memory cells for storing data, whereas the device might use
eight-bit data words. When it is desired to read or write a data
word, the eight data bits are either retrieved from or written to
the memory array.
[0005] Memory arrays of this type may be provided with a variable
depth and width feature that allows the size of the data word that
is used to access the memory array (its "width") and the resulting
capacity of the array for data storage (its "depth") to be
selectively programmed by the user. A typical 2K variable depth and
width memory array can be programmed to have the respective depth
and width configurations of: 2K.times.1, 1K.times.2, 512.times.4,
or 256.times.8.
[0006] With such variable depth and width memory arrays, data may
be either written to or read from the array in words of the
selected width. However, these variable depth and width memory
arrays do not permit the user to write data to the array and read
data from the array simultaneously. Such a capability is needed for
applications in which the memory array is used to implement a
first-in-first-out buffer or in other such applications in which
the memory array is shared between two concurrent processes, one of
which reads data from the array and one of which write data to the
array.
[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a variable depth and width memory array for a programmable
logic device in which data words may be written to the array and
read from the array concurrently.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] This and other objects of the invention are accomplished in
accordance with the principles of the present invention by
providing a dual-port variable depth and width programmable logic
device memory array. Data may be written into a selected write
location in the array via a first port with write column decoder
and data selection logic and a write row address decoder. Data may
be read out of a selected read location in the array via a second
port with read column decoder and data selection logic and a read
row address decoder. The write column decoder and data selection
logic and the write row address decoder operate independently of
the read column decoder and data selection logic and the read
address decoder. Write operations may therefore be performed
independently from read operations. This dual-port feature allows
the memory array to be used to implement first-in-first-out buffers
and other such memory configurations. The dual-port feature
therefore facilitates certain types of data manipulation that would
otherwise not be possible.
[0009] In an illustrative embodiment, the dual-port memory array
handles data widths of 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 bits. The sizes of the
data words handled by the write column decoder and data selection
logic are determined by mode select signals. The locations of the
columns of the memory array that are addressed during a write
operation are determined by write addresses. The number of bits of
write column address information used by the write column decoder
and data selection logic is determined by the size of the data
words to be written to the array. Input registers may be used to
register data words up to 16 bits in width prior to providing this
data to the write column decoder and data selection logic.
[0010] The size of data words handled by the read column decoder
and data selection logic are also determined by mode select
signals. The locations of the columns of the memory array that are
addressed during a read operation are determined by read addresses.
The number of bits of read column address information used by the
read column decoder and data selection logic is determined by the
size of the data words to be read from the array. Output registers
may be used to register data words from the array up to 16 bits in
width prior to distributing this data on the programmable logic
device.
[0011] Input multiplexers receive separate and independent read
enable and write enable signals for the dual-port memory array that
are distributed from interconnects on the programmable logic
device. Control logic is used to process these read and write
enable signals and to generate correspondingly separate and
independent secondary write enable (WE) and read enable (RE)
signals. The secondary write enable signal is used by the write row
address decoder to address a given row of the array. The location
of the row into which data is to be written is determined by a
write row address supplied to the write row address decoder from
the input multiplexers. The secondary read enable signal is used by
the read row address decoder to address a given row of the array.
The location of the row from which data is to be read is determined
by a read row address supplied to the read row address decoder from
the input multiplexers.
[0012] In general, the memory array location for writing that is
specified by the columns identified by the write column address and
the row defined by the write row address differs from the memory
array location for reading that is specified by the columns
identified by the read column address and the row defined by the
read row address. Variable depth and width data words can therefore
be written to the array and read from the array using concurrent
processes, i.e., one process may write data while the other process
reads data.
[0013] Further features of the invention, its nature and various
advantages will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and
the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a conventional programmable logic
device that uses single-port variable depth and width memory
arrays.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a conventional single-port variable
depth and width memory array.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a diagram of a conventional memory array cell for
use in a single-port variable depth and width memory array.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a diagram that illustrates the addressing of a
selected memory location in a conventional single-port variable
depth and width memory array.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a diagram of a programmable logic device
containing dual-port variable depth and width memory arrays in
accordance with the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a diagram of a dual-port variable depth and width
memory array in accordance with the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a diagram of a memory array cell for use in a
dual-port variable depth and width memory array in accordance with
the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a diagram of another memory array cell suitable
for use in a dual-port variable depth and width memory array in
accordance with the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a diagram that illustrates the concurrent
addressing of one selected memory location for writing and another
selected memory location for reading in a dual-port variable depth
and width memory array in accordance with the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 10 is a diagram of a system in which a programmable
logic device having the dual-port variable depth and width memory
array circuitry of the present invention may be used.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] Programmable logic array integrated circuit devices are
described in Cliff et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,195, which is hereby
incorporated by reference herein. A typical programmable logic
device 6 has programmable logic regions 8 arranged in a
two-dimensional array of intersecting rows and columns, as shown in
FIG. 1. Each programmable logic region 8 may include a number of
subregions of programmable logic. Such subregions are typically
based on product-term logic or look-up table logic and may include
register logic for registering logic signals. The rows and columns
of device 6 typically have associated groups of global
interconnects 16 and 17 for conveying signals between various logic
regions 8.
[0025] Some programmable logic devices 6 contain single-port memory
arrays 10 with a variable depth and width. In such devices 6, the
size of the data word that is used to access each single-port
memory array 10 (its "width") and the resulting capacity of the
array 10 for data storage (its "depth") may be selectively
programmed by the user. A typical 2K variable depth and width
memory array can be programmed to have the respective depth and
width configurations of: 2K.times.1 (.times.1 mode), 1K.times.2
(.times.2 mode), 512.times.4 (.times.4 mode), or 256 .times.8
(.times.8 mode). Programmable logic devices 6 that contain
single-port variable depth and width memory arrays 10 generally
contain one such array in each row.
[0026] A typical single-port variable depth and width memory array
10 is shown in FIG. 2. Programmable logic device data is stored in
64 rows and 32 columns of static random-access memory (SRAM) cells
in SRAM memory array 12.
[0027] Data signals to be written into memory array 12 are supplied
on input path 14. The data signals may be routed to array 12 from
global interconnects such as global horizontal interconnects 16
using multiplexer circuitry 18. The data signals are distributed to
8 input registers 20 via programmable input multiplexers 22 and
write data path 24. The number of data lines in path 24 that are
used depends on the selected mode for array 12. One data line is
used in the .times.1 mode, two data lines are used in the .times.2
mode, four data lines are used in the .times.4 mode, and eight data
lines are used in the .times.8 mode. The number of data output
lines 26 from input registers 20 that are used is the same as the
number of data lines used in path 24 to provide data to input
registers 20. Data from input registers 20 may be written into a
desired location in memory array 12 using column decoder and data
selection logic 28.
[0028] Data signals to be read from memory array 12 are supplied to
read data selection logic 30 via data output lines 32. Read data
selection logic 30 provides the data signals to eight output
registers 34 via path 36. Registered data from output registers 34
may be routed to the global interconnects.
[0029] In order to address a location in memory array 12 for
reading or writing, address signals are supplied to address path 38
via input path 14 and input multiplexers 22. Six of the address
signals supplied to address path 38 are used by row address decoder
40 to activate either an appropriate one of 64 read word lines 42
or an appropriate one of 64 write word lines 44.
[0030] If it is desired to perform a read operation, a suitable
write/read enable signal is supplied via input path 14 and routed
to write/read enable 46 by input multiplexers 22. Taking write/read
enable 46 low causes control logic 48 to simultaneously take read
enable 50 high and write enable 52 low. The read word line 42 that
is specified by the address supplied to row address decoder 40 is
thus taken high.
[0031] If it is desired to perform a write operation, a suitable
write/read enable signal is supplied via input path 14 and routed
to write/read enable 46 by input multiplexers 22. Taking write/read
enable 46 high causes control logic 48 to simultaneously take read
enable 50 low and write enable 52 high. The write word line 44 that
is specified by the address supplied to row address decoder 40 is
thus taken high.
[0032] During either reading or writing, the remaining bits of the
address supplied on address path 38 are provided to column decoder
and data selection logic 28 as a column write/read address via path
54. The column write/read address specifies the location of the
columns in array 12 into which data is to be written or from which
data is to be read. The number of bits of write/read address
information supplied to column decoder and data selection logic 28
depends on the size of the data word in array 12 that is being
addressed. For example, five bits of column write/read address
information are required when it is desired to specify a particular
one of the 32 columns in array 12 into which to write or from which
to read a desired one-bit wide data word. Mode select signals are
supplied at terminals 55 to configure multiplexer circuitry within
column decoder and data selection logic 28 and within read data
selection logic 30 so that these components perform the appropriate
routing functions needed for the desired mode of operation (i.e.,
.times.1, .times.2, .times.4, or .times.8 mode).
[0033] A typical data storage cell arrangement for a cell 56 in
array 12 is shown in FIG. 3. Data may be written into cell 56 by
taking write word line 58 (one of write word lines 44 in FIG. 2)
high with row address decoder 40 and taking column select line 60
(one of column select lines 62 in FIG. 2) high with column decoder
and data selection logic 28 while supplying data to cell 56 via
write bit line 64 (one of write bit lines 65 in FIG. 2). This turns
on transistors 66 and 68 and causes the data on write bit line 64
to flow into one-bit random access memory (RAM) cell 70.
[0034] Data may be read from cell 56 by taking read word line 72
(one of read word lines 42 in FIG. 2) high with row address decoder
40 while taking column select line 60 high with column decoder and
data selection logic 28. This turns on transistors 74 and 76 so
that data may pass from RAM cell 70 to buffered read bit line 78
(one of data output lines 32 in FIG. 2) via buffer 80.
[0035] The variable depth and width memory array arrangement of
FIG. 2 allows data to be accessed in various word sizes. Regardless
of the word size being accessed, at most a single row in array 12
may be selected at a time. Either a read word line may be taken
high for a read operation or a write word line may be taken high
for a write operation.
[0036] One, two, four, or eight of the columns of memory cells 56
in array 12 may be selected at a time, depending on whether memory
array 10 is in the .times.1, .times.2, .times.4, or .times.8 mode.
In the .times.1 mode, five bits of write/read address information
from address path 38 are used to select a single column from the 32
columns of array 12. In the .times.2 mode, four bits of write/read
address information are used to specify the two columns which are
to be accessed. In the .times.4 mode, three bits of write/read
address information are used to specify the group of four columns
of array 12 to be accessed. In the .times.8 mode, two bits of
write/read address information are used to specify the group of
eight columns of array 12 to be accessed.
[0037] Accessing a given column of memory cells 56 involves taking
the column select line 62 of FIG. 2 for that column high while
providing the data for the column from input registers 20 to the
appropriate write bit line 65 of FIG. 2 for the column using column
decoder and data selection logic 28. The columns that are accessed
when a group of more than one column of cells 56 is accessed at a
time (e.g., when four columns are accessed in the .times.4 mode)
are typically adjacent.
[0038] This type of arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 4, in which
memory array 12 is shown being accessed in the .times.4 mode. In
the .times.4 mode, array 12 may be thought of as being partitioned
into eight four-column groups of columns each of which has a
capacity of 256 bits (see, e.g., group 3). The total capacity of
each four-column group of columns is 256 bits, because there are 64
bits per column. Because there are eight groups and each group has
64 four-bit words, there are a total of 512 four-bit words in array
12, which allows array 12 to operate in the 512.times.4
configuration in the .times.4 mode. The location of a desired
four-bit data word can be specified by selecting one of these
groups of columns using four of the column select lines 62. For
example, column decoder and data selection logic 28 of FIG. 2 may
be used to select the columns of memory cells in group 7 of FIG. 4
by taking the four column select lines 62 (FIG. 2) that are
associated with group 7 high.
[0039] In the .times.1 mode, array 12 can be partitioned into 32
groups of columns each of which is one bit wide. In the .times.2
mode, array 12 can be partitioned into 16 groups of columns each of
which is two bits wide. In the .times.8 mode, array 12 can be
partitioned into 4 groups, each of which is 8 bits wide.
[0040] In the conventional variable depth and width memory array
arrangement of FIG. 4, data may be either written to the selected
location or may be read from the selected location, but not both at
the same time. Data may be written to the selected location in the
array by selecting the desired row using a write word line and by
providing data to the cells in the selected columns using the
appropriate write bit lines. Data may be read from the selected
location by selecting the desired row using a read word line and by
routing data from the array using buffered read bit lines. However,
it is not possible to write data into array 12 at one selected
location while simultaneously reading data from another selected
location. The ability to perform such simultaneous reading and
writing operations with the memory array is necessary if the memory
array is to be used to implement a first-in-first-out buffer or
other such memory arrangements.
[0041] In accordance with the present invention, a dual-port memory
array is provided in which data can be simultaneously written to
one location and read from another location. In a preferred
embodiment, the dual-port memory array has a user-selectable
variable depth and width, although a dual-port memory array of a
fixed depth and width may be used if desired.
[0042] A programmable logic device 82 that contains a number of
dual-port variable depth and width memory arrays 84 is shown in
FIG. 5. Programmable logic device 82 preferably also contains a
number of programmable logic regions 86. Programmable logic regions
86 may be programmed by a user to perform various logic functions.
A programmable logic device containing one type of suitable
programmable logic regions is described in the above-mentioned
Cliff et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,195. If desired, other types of
suitable programmable logic regions may be used.
[0043] In the arrangement shown in FIG. 5, dual-port memory arrays
84 and programmable logic regions 86 are arranged in intersecting
rows and column. This arrangement is illustrative. If desired, any
other suitable type of programmable logic device arrangement may be
used.
[0044] Each programmable logic region 86 may contain a number of
subregions of programmable logic. Such subregions may be based on
product-term logic or look-up table logic and may include register
logic for registering logic signals. The rows and columns of
programmable logic regions 86 be interconnected by associated
groups of interconnects such as global horizontal interconnects 88
and global vertical interconnects 90. Global interconnects such as
interconnects 88 and 90 generally span substantially the entire
programmable logic device 82 without interruption, but may also
contain half-length interconnects, quarter-length interconnects,
eighth-length interconnects or other suitable fractional-length
interconnects if desired.
[0045] The connections between programmable logic regions 86 and
interconnects 88 and 90 and the connections between dual-port
memory array 84 and interconnects 88 and 90 are not shown in FIG. 5
to avoid over-complicating the drawing. Such connections may be
made by suitable input and output multiplexing and driver
circuitry. Circuitry may also be provided to form pathways between
horizontal interconnects 88 and vertical interconnects 90. Suitable
connections between logic regions and their associated
interconnects are described in the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No.
5,689,195.
[0046] In dual-port variable depth and width memory arrays 84, the
size of the data word that is used to access each memory array 84
(its "width") and the resulting capacity of the array for data
storage (its "depth") may be selectively programmed by the user. In
one suitable arrangement, each memory array 84 has a 2K capacity
that can be programmed to have the respective depth and width
configurations of: 2K.times.1 (.times.1 mode), 1K.times.2 (.times.2
mode), 512.times.4 (.times.4 mode), 256.times.8 (.times.8 mode),
and 128.times.16 (.times.16 mode). Programmable logic device 82
preferably contains one dual-port variable depth and width memory
array 84 in each row, as shown in FIG. 5, although other suitable
configurations may be used if desired.
[0047] An illustrative arrangement for a dual-port variable depth
and width memory array 84 is shown in FIG. 6. Programmable logic
device data may be stored in 64 rows and 32 columns of
random-access memory (RAM) cells in memory array 92. Memory array
92 is preferably a static random-access memory (SRAM) array. Data
signals to be written into memory array 92 are supplied on input
path 94. The data signals may be routed to input path 94 from
global interconnects such as global horizontal interconnects 88
using programmable multiplexer circuitry 96. The data signals are
distributed to 16 input registers 98 via programmable input
multiplexers 100 and write data path 102. Write data path 102 forms
a first data port. The number of data lines in path 102 that are
actively used at a given time depends on the selected mode for
array 84. One data line is in active use in the .times.1 mode, two
data lines are used in the .times.2 mode, four data lines are used
in the .times.4 mode, eight data lines are used in the .times.8
mode, and all 16 data lines are used in the .times.16 mode. The
number of data output lines 104 from input registers 98 that are
used is the same as the number of data lines actively used in path
102 to provide data to input registers 98. Data from input
registers 98 may be written into a desired location in memory array
92 using write column decoder and data selection logic 106.
[0048] The circuitry of write column decoder and data selection
logic 106 is used to select locations to which data is to be
written in memory array 92 and to route data signals from input
registers 98 to those locations during write operations. If
desired, write column decoder and data selection logic 106 may use
basically the same type of arrangement used in the column decoder
and data selection logic circuits of standard variable depth and
width programmable logic device memory arrays. As with such column
decoder and data selection logic arrangements, patterns of fixed
connections and multiplexer circuitry within write column decoder
and data selection logic 106 may be used to selectively route
signals to their proper destinations based on the selected mode of
array 84 (i.e., .times.1, .times.2, .times.4, .times.8, or
.times.16 mode). The circuitry of write column decoder and data
selection logic 106 may be configured by supplying suitable mode
selection signals to terminal 108.
[0049] In order to address a location in memory array 92 for
writing, write address signals are supplied to write address path
109 via input path 94 and input multiplexers 100. Six of the write
address signals supplied to write address path 109 are used as a
write row address by write row address decoder 110 to activate an
appropriate one of 64 write word lines 112.
[0050] To perform a write operation, a suitable high write enable
signal is supplied via input path 94 and is routed to write enable
114 by input multiplexers 100. Taking write enable 114 high causes
control logic 116 to take secondary write enable (WE) 118 high. The
write word line 112 that is specified by the write row address
information supplied to write row address decoder 110 is thus taken
high.
[0051] The remaining bits of the write address supplied on write
address path 109 are provided to write column decoder and data
selection logic 106 as a write column address via path 118. The
write column address specifies the location of the columns in array
92 into which data is to be written. The number of bits of write
column address information supplied to write column decoder and
data selection logic 106 depends on the size of the data word in
array 92 that is being addressed. For example, five bits of write
column address information are required when it is desired to
specify a particular one of the 32 columns in array 92 into which
to write a desired one-bit wide data word.
[0052] Data signals to be read from memory array 92 are supplied to
read column decoder and data selection logic 120 via read bit lines
122. Read bit lines 122 form a second data port. Read column
decoder and data selection logic 120 provides the data signals to
16 output registers 124 via path 126. Registered data from output
registers 124 may be routed to global interconnects 88 and 90 via
paths 128 and 130 and drivers 132.
[0053] The circuitry of read column decoder and data selection
logic 120 is used to select locations from which data is to be read
from memory array 92 and to route data signals from those selected
locations in memory array 92 to output registers 124 during read
operations. If desired, read column decoder and data selection
logic 120 may use basically the same type of arrangement used in
the column decoder and data selection logic circuits of standard
variable depth and width programmable logic device memory arrays.
As with such column decoder and data selection logic arrangements,
patterns of fixed connections and multiplexer circuitry may be used
within read column decoder and data selection logic 120 to
selectively route signals to their proper destinations based on the
selected mode of array 84 (i.e., .times.1, .times.2, .times.4,
.times.8, or .times.16 mode). The circuitry of read column decoder
and data selection logic 120 may be configured by supplying
suitable mode selection signals to terminal 133.
[0054] In order to address a location in memory array 92 for
reading, read address signals are supplied to read address path 134
via input path 94 and input multiplexers 100. Six of the read
address signals supplied to read address path 134 are used as a
read row address by read row address decoder 136 to activate an
appropriate one of 64 read word lines 138.
[0055] To perform a read operation, a suitable high read enable
signal is supplied via input path 94 and is routed to read enable
140 by input multiplexers 100. Taking read enable 140 high causes
control logic 116 to take secondary read enable (RE) 142 high. The
read word line 138 that is specified by the read row address
supplied to read row address decoder 136 is thus taken high.
Because read enable 140 and write enable 114 operate independently,
the corresponding secondary write enable (WE) and secondary read
enable (RE) signals also operate independently.
[0056] The remaining bits of the read address supplied on read
address path 134 are provided to read column decoder and data
selection logic 120 as a read column address via read address path
144. The read column address specifies the location of the columns
in array 92 from which data is to be read. The number of bits of
read column address information supplied to read column decoder and
data selection logic 120 depends on the size of the data word in
array 92 that is being addressed. For example, five bits of read
column address information are required when it is desired to
specify a particular one of the 32 columns in array 92 from which
to read a desired one-bit wide data word.
[0057] A typical data storage cell arrangement for a cell 146 in
array 92 is shown in FIG. 7. Data may be written into cell 146 by
taking write word line 148 (one of write word lines 112 in FIG. 6)
high with write row address decoder 110 (FIG. 6) and taking write
column selection line 150 (one of write column selection lines 152
in FIG. 6) high with write column decoder and data selection logic
106 (FIG. 6) while supplying data to cell 146 via write bit line
154 (one of write bit lines 156 in FIG. 6) using write column
decoder and data selection logic 106 (FIG. 6). This turns on
transistors 158 and 160 and causes the data on write bit line 154
to flow into one-bit random access memory (RAM) cell 162.
[0058] Data may be read from cell 146 by taking read word line 164
(one of read word lines 138 in FIG. 6) high with read row address
decoder 136 (FIG. 6) and taking read column selection line 166 (one
of read column selection lines 168 in FIG. 6) high with read column
decoder and data selection logic 120 (FIG. 6). This turns on
transistors 170 and 172 and causes the data in one-bit random
access memory (RAM) cell 162 to flow to buffered read bit line 174
(one of read bit lines 122 in FIG. 6) via buffer 176.
[0059] Another suitable data storage cell arrangement for a cell in
array 92 is shown in FIG. 8. Data may be written into cell 246 by
taking write word line 248 (one of write word lines 112 in FIG. 6)
high with write row address decoder 110 (FIG. 6) and taking write
column selection line 250 (one of write column selection lines 152
in FIG. 6) high with write column decoder and data selection logic
106 (FIG. 6) while supplying data to cell 246 via write bit line
254 (one of write bit lines 156 in FIG. 6) using write column
decoder and data selection logic 106 (FIG. 6). This turns on
transistors 258 and 260 and causes the data on write bit line 254
to flow into one-bit random access memory (RAM) cell 262.
[0060] Data may be read from cell 246 by taking read word line 264
(one of read word lines 138 in FIG. 6) high with read row address
decoder 136 (FIG. 6) and taking read column selection line 266 (one
of read column selection lines 168 in FIG. 6) high with read column
decoder and data selection logic 120 (FIG. 6). This turns on read
word line selection transistor 270 and read column select line
transistor 272 and causes the data in one-bit random access memory
(RAM) cell 262 to flow to buffered read bit line 274 (one of read
bit lines 122 in FIG. 6) via buffer 276.
[0061] The memory cell arrangement of FIG. 8 is advantageous
because only one row of transistors 272 is used per array 92. In
particular, 32 transistors 272 may be used in array 92 and may be
located along the bottom edge of array 92 as depicted in FIG. 6.
The arrangement of FIG. 7 uses transistors 172 to control the
reading of data from selected columns. However, the arrangement of
FIG. 7 requires the use of a transistor 172 in each cell of array
92, rather than the single row of read column select line
transistors 272 that are used in the arrangement of FIG. 8.
[0062] Cells 146, cells 246, or any other suitable memory cell
arrangement may be used if desired. For clarity, the present
discussion focuses on use of memory cells 146, but this choice of
memory cell is illustrative only.
[0063] The arrangement of dual-port variable depth and width memory
array 84 of FIG. 6 allows simultaneous read and write operations to
be performed using selectable-size data words. Read operations
involve taking one of read word lines 138 high to select a row of
array 92. Write operations involve taking one of write word lines
112 high to select a row of array 92. Simultaneous read and write
operations may involve simultaneously taking a read word line 138
and a write word line 112 high in the same row, provided that the
columns of array 92 that are selected for reading differ from the
columns that are selected for writing.
[0064] When performing a write operation, one, two, four, eight, or
sixteen of the columns of memory cells 146 in array 92 may be
selected at a time, depending on whether write column decoder and
data selection logic 106 is placed in the .times.1, .times.2,
.times.4, .times.8, or .times.16 mode. In the .times.1 mode, five
bits of write column address information on write address path 118
are used to select a single column from the 32 columns of array 92.
In the .times.2 mode, four bits of write column address information
are used to specify the group of two columns into which data is to
be written. In the .times.4 mode, three bits of write column
address information are used to specify the group of four columns
of array 92 into which data is to be written. In the .times.8 mode,
two bits of write column address information are used to specify
the group of eight columns of array 92 into which data is to be
written. In the .times.16 mode, one bit of write column address
information is used to specify the group of sixteen columns of
array 92 into which data is to be written.
[0065] Writing data into a given column of memory cells 146
involves taking the write column select line 150 for that column
high while providing the data for the column from input registers
106 to the write bit line 154 for the column using write column
decoder and data selection logic 106. The columns that are selected
when a group of more than one column of cells 146 is selected at a
time (e.g., when four columns are selected in the .times.4 mode)
are typically adjacent.
[0066] When performing a read operation, one, two, four, eight, or
sixteen of the columns of memory cells 146 in array 92 may be
selected at a time, depending on whether read column decoder and
data selection logic 120 is placed in the .times.1, .times.2,
.times.4, .times.8, or .times.16 mode. In the .times.1 mode, five
bits of read column address information on read address path 144
are used to select a single column from the 32 columns of array 92.
In the .times.2 mode, four bits of read column address information
are used to specify the group of two columns from which data is to
be read. In the .times.4 mode, three bits of read column address
information are used to specify the group of four columns of array
92 from which data is to be read. In the .times.8 mode, two bits of
read column address information are used to specify the group of
eight columns of array 92 from which data is to be read. In the
.times.16 mode, one bit of read column address information is used
to specify the group of sixteen columns of array 92 from which data
is to be read.
[0067] Reading data from a given column of memory cells 146
involves taking the read column select line 166 for that column
high while monitoring the corresponding buffered read bit line 174
with read column decoder and data selection logic 120. The columns
that are selected when a group of more than one column of cells 146
is selected at a time (e.g., when four columns are selected in the
.times.4 mode) are typically adjacent.
[0068] Because the column selection functions of write column
decoder and data selection logic 106 operate essentially
independently from the column selection functions of read column
decoder and data selection logic 120, one process implemented in
programmable logic device 82 may be writing data to array 92 while
another process implemented in programmable logic device 82 may be
reading data from array 92.
[0069] The ability of dual-port variable depth and width array 84
to support simultaneous read and write operations is illustrated in
FIG. 9, in which a four-bit write operation is being performed at a
selected location for writing while a four-bit read operation is
being performed at a selected location for reading. When using the
.times.4 mode for concurrent read and write operations as shown in
FIG. 9, array 92 may be thought of as being partitioned into eight
four-column groups of columns each of which has a capacity of 256
bits (see, e.g., group 4). Because there are eight groups and each
group has 64 four-bit words, there are a total of 512 four-bit
words in array 92, which allows array 92 to operate in the 512
.times.4 configuration in the .times.4 mode.
[0070] The location for writing a desired four-bit data word can be
specified by selecting one of these groups of columns using four of
the write column select lines 152 of FIG. 6. For example, write
column decoder and data selection logic 106 of FIG. 6 may be used
to select the columns in group 2 of FIG. 9 by taking the four
column select lines 152 associated with group 2 high.
[0071] The location for reading a desired four-bit data word can be
specified by selecting one of the groups of columns using four of
the read column select lines 168 of FIG. 6. For example, read
column decoder and data selection logic 120 of FIG. 6 may be used
to select the columns in group 6 of FIG. 9 by taking the four read
column select lines 168 of FIG. 6 that are associated with group 6
high.
[0072] In the .times.1 mode, array 92 can be partitioned into 32
groups of columns each of which is one bit wide. In the .times.2
mode, array 92 can be partitioned into 16 groups of columns each of
which is two bits wide. In the .times.8 mode, array 92 can be
partitioned into four groups, each of which is eight bits wide. In
the .times.16 mode, array 92 can be partitioned into two groups,
each of which is 16 bits wide.
[0073] The ability of the dual-port memory array arrangement of
FIG. 6 to perform concurrent read and write operations allows the
user of programmable logic device 82 (FIG. 5) to implement
first-in-first-out buffers and other such memory arrangements using
memory array 84.
[0074] The foregoing arrangements are typically used in
programmable logic devices that are made part of larger systems.
FIG. 10 shows a programmable logic device 278 containing the
dual-port variable depth and width memory array circuitry of this
invention in use in a data processing system 280. Data processing
system 280 may include one or more of the following components: a
processor 282, memory 284, I/O circuitry 286, and peripheral
drivers 290. These components are coupled together by a system bus
292 and populate a circuit board 294 that is contained in system
280.
[0075] System 280 may be used in a wide variety of applications,
such as computer networking, data networking, instrumentation,
video processing, digital signal processing, or any other
application where the advantage of using programmable logic is
desirable. Programmable logic device 278 may be used to perform a
variety of different logic functions. For example, programmable
logic device 278 may be configured as a processor or controller
that works in cooperation with processor 282. Programmable logic
device 278 may also be used as an arbiter for arbitrating access to
a shared resource in system 280. In yet another example,
programmable logic device 278 may be configured as an interface
between processor 282 and one of the other components in system
280.
[0076] The programmable connections made between various components
in the programmable logic devices of the present invention can be
implemented in any of a wide variety of ways. For example, each
programmable connection can be a relatively simple programmable
connector such as a switch or a plurality of switches for
connecting any one of several inputs to an output. Each such
connection may be configured using a memory cell such as a
random-access memory cell. Alternatively, programmable connectors
can be somewhat more complex elements which are capable of
performing logic (e.g., by logically combining several of their
inputs) as well as making connections. For example, each
programmable connection can use product term logic, implementing
functions such as AND, NAND, OR, or NOR. Examples of components
suitable for implementing programmable connections are erasable
programmable read-only memories (EPROMs), electrically-erasable
programmable read-only memories (EEPROMs), pass transistors,
transmission gates, antifuses, laser fuses, metal optional links,
etc. These programmable components may be controlled by various
programmable function control elements or memory cells, which store
the configuration data used to control the programmable components.
Examples of suitable function control elements include static
random-access memory (SRAM) cells, dynamic random-access memory
(DRAM) cells, first-in first-out cells, EPROMs, EEPROMs, function
control registers (e.g., as in Wahlstrom U.S. Pat. No. 3,473,160),
ferro-electric memories, fuses, antifuses, or the like. From the
various examples mentioned above it will be seen that this
invention is applicable both to one-time-only programmable and
reprogrammable devices.
[0077] The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of
this invention and various modifications can be made by those
skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of
the invention. For example, the number of rows and columns of
memory array cells that are used is not critical. In addition, the
.times.2, .times.4, .times.8, and .times.16 modes used in the
variable depth and width memory array are illustrative. Modes
supporting different word sizes may be used if desired.
* * * * *