| 摘要 |
An integrated circuit (IC) is provided. The IC includes a first region having an array of programmable logic cells. The IC also includes a second region incorporated into the IC and in communication with the first region. The second region includes standard logic cells and base cells. In one embodiment, the standard logic cells are assembled or interconnected to accommodate known protocols. The base cells include configurable logic to adapt to modifications to emerging communication protocols, which are supported by the base cells. The second region can be embedded in the first region in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the second region is defined around a perimeter of the first region. The configurable logic may be composed of hybrid logic elements that have metal mask programmable interconnections so that as emerging communication protocols evolve and are modified, the IC can be modified to accommodate to the changes in the protocol. In another embodiment, a generic device can be customized by replacing the original function with a completely new function targeting a specific application space, e.g., replacing the original function such as a PCI Express, used for computing based applications, with 40 G/100 G Ethernet and Interlaken, used in wireline applications. A method of designing an integrated circuit is also provided.
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