Daniel L Gardner

US Patent:

58644865, Jan 26, 1999

Filed:

May 8, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/643291

Inventors:

Andrew S. Deming - Frederick MD
Daniel T. Gardner - Portland OR
James S. Larsen - Hillsboro OR
Bertrand Leigh - Hillsboro OR

Assignee:

Lattice Semiconductor Corporation - Hillsboro OR

International Classification:

G06F 1576

US Classification:

364489

Abstract:

Program data generated by the host system to be used in programming one or more associated ISPLDs is converted using a first interface from a parallel data format to a serial data string and then transmitted serially to a second interface. In one embodiment, the first and second interfaces employ Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (UARTs). The receiving unit converts the serial program data string to a parallel data byte which is then provided to the programming pins of the ISPLD desired to be programmed. Signals indicative of information relating to the operation of one or more of the ISPLDs associated with the host system may be provided to the host system via pin SDO of the asserted ISPLD. In this manner, embodiments in accordance with the present invention may utilize a two-wire transmission scheme, and thus two-wire interfaces, to facilitate programming of the associated ISPLDs. Having the capability to utilize a two-wire transmission scheme, in turn, allows ISPLDs in accordance with the present invention to be programmed using wired transmission schemes such as, for instance, twisted pair and coaxial, as well as wireless transmission schemes, such as, for instance, radio frequency (RF) and infrared radiation (Ir).