Apparatus and Methods for Adjusting Performance of Programmable Logic Devices

Abstract

A programmable logic device (PLD) includes mechanisms for adjusting or setting the body bias of one or more transistors. The PLD includes a body-bias generator. The body-bias generator is configured to set a body bias of one or more transistors within the programmable logic device. More specifically, the body-bias generator sets the body bias of the transistor(s) so as to trade off performance and power consumption of the transistor(s).

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
   
   
       19 . A programmable logic device (PLD), comprising:
 a control circuitry;   a body-bias generator coupled to the control circuitry, the body-bias generator configured to set a body bias of a transistor within the programmable logic device (PLD); and   a variable impedance device coupled to the control circuitry, the variable impedance device configured to control power dissipation of a first circuit within the programmable logic device (PLD).   
   
   
       20 . The programmable logic device (PLD) according to  claim 19 , wherein the first circuit comprises a circuit unused in an electronic circuit implemented by the programmable logic device (PLD). 
   
   
       21 . The programmable logic device (PLD) according to  claim 20 , wherein the variable impedance device comprises a field-effect transistor (FET). 
   
   
       22 . The programmable logic device (PLD) according to  claim 21 , wherein the body-bias generator is configured to set the body bias of the transistor so as to avoid thermal runaway within the programmable logic device (PLD). 
   
   
       23 . The programmable logic device (PLD) according to  claim 21 , wherein the body-bias generator is further configured to adjust the body bias of the transistor so as to trade off performance and power consumption of the transistor. 
   
   
       24 . The programmable logic device (PLD) according to  claim 23 , wherein the body-bias generator is further configured to adjust the body bias of the transistor so as to optimize the tradeoff between the performance and power consumption of the transistor. 
   
   
       25 . The programmable logic device (PLD) according to  claim 19 , wherein the variable impedance device is further configured to shut down the first circuit by interrupting a supply of power to the first circuit. 
   
   
       26 . The programmable logic device (PLD) according to  claim 25 , wherein the supply of power to the first circuit is provided by a supply-voltage circuit within the programmable logic device (PLD). 
   
   
       27 . A programmable logic device (PLD), comprising:
 a temperature sensor, the temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of a first circuit in the programmable logic device (PLD);   a body-bias generator configured to set a body bias of a set of transistors in response to a control signal; and   a control circuit coupled to the temperature sensor and the body-bias generator, the control circuit configured to provide the control signal in response to a signal received from the temperature sensor.   
   
   
       28 . The programmable logic device (PLD) according to  claim 27 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to provide the control signal so as to avoid thermal runaway in the set of transistors. 
   
   
       29 . The programmable logic device (PLD) according to  claim 27 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to provide the control signal so as to trade off performance and power consumption of the set of transistors. 
   
   
       30 . The programmable logic device (PLD) according to  claim 29 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to provide the control signal so as to optimize the tradeoff between the performance and power consumption of the set of transistors. 
   
   
       31 . The programmable logic device (PLD) according to  claim 27 , wherein the set of transistors resides in the first circuit. 
   
   
       32 . The programmable logic device (PLD) according to  claim 27 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to derive the control signal from a reference signal and a signal received from the temperature sensor. 
   
   
       33 - 80 . (canceled)