Patent ID: 7135886
Filing Date: 2006-11-14
Classification: G11C,H03K

Abstract:
1. A field programmable gate array configured to receive power, comprising: a first portion including volatile memory cells, wherein the volatile memory cells require configuration values upon turning on the power; a second portion including nonvolatile memory cells, wherein the nonvolatile memory cells are capable of storing at least a part of the configuration values required by the volatile memory cells, and wherein upon turning on the power the second portion will provide at least a part of the required configuration values required by the volatile memory cells; at least one input/output bank comprising an input/out port; and a power control circuit, whereby the power to at least one part of the gate array including the at least one input/output bank, the first portion of the gate array, or the second portion of the gate array can be individually and independently turned off or on, and wherein the power control circuit can either directly turn any of the said at least one parts off or on or can program or enable any of the said at least one parts to be turned off or on upon receiving a global on/off signal.