System, method and article of manufacture for signal constructs in a programming language capable of programming hardware architectures

• US 6,691,301 B2
• Filed: 01/29/2001
• Issued: 02/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The MathWorks, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Celoxica Ltd. (Celoxica Holdings Plc)
• Inventors: Bowen, Matt
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAVIS, JOHN Q
• Application Number:
  US09/772,616
• Publication Number:
  US 20030046671A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,107 Days
• Field of Search: 717/114, 717/116, 717/153, 713/400, 713/501, 713/600, 716/16, 712/15
• US Class Current: 717/114
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/30 Circuit design

Abstract

A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for using a dynamic object in a programming language. In general, an object is defined with an associated first value and second value. The first value is used in association with the object during a predetermined clock cycle. The second value is used in association with the object before or after the predetermined clock cycle.

Claims

1. A method for using a dynamic object in a programming language, comprising the steps of:

(a) defining an object with an associated first value and second value;

(b) using the first value in association with the object during a predetermined clock cycle; and

(c) using the second value in association with the object before or after the predetermined clock cycle.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the object is used to split up an expression into sub-expressions.

3. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein the sub-expressions are reused.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first value is assigned to and read from the object during the predetermined clock cycle.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the programming language is adapted for programming a gate array.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the programming language includes Handel-C.

7. A computer program product for using a dynamic object in a programming language, comprising:

(a) computer code for defining an object with an associated first value and second value;

(b) computer code for using the first value in association with the object during a predetermined clock cycle; and

(c) computer code for using the second value in association with the object before or after the predetermined clock cycle.

8. A computer program product as recited in claim 7, wherein the object is used to split up an expression into sub-expressions.

9. A computer program product as recited in claim 8, wherein the sub-expressions are reused.

10. A computer program product as recited in claim 7, wherein the first value is assigned to and read from the object during the predetermined clock cycle.

11. A computer program product as recited in claim 7, wherein the programming language is adapted for programming a gate array.

12. A computer program product as recited in claim 7, wherein the programming language includes Handel-C.

13. A system for using a dynamic object in a programming language, comprising:

(a) logic for defining an object with an associated first value and second value;

(b) logic for using the first value in association with the object during a predetermined clock cycle; and

(c) logic for using the second value in association with the object before or after the predetermined clock cycle.

14. A system as recited in claim 13, wherein the object is used to split up an expression into sub-expressions.

15. A system as recited in claim 14, wherein the sub-expressions are reused.

16. A system as recited in claim 13, wherein the first value is assigned to and read from the object during the predetermined clock cycle.

17. A system as recited in claim 13, wherein the programming language is adapted for programming a gate array.

18. A system as recited in claim 13, wherein the programming language includes Handel-C.