Configurable multi-gate switch circuitry

Abstract

Integrated circuits with configurable multi-gate switch circuitry are provided. The switch circuitry may include switch control circuitry and an array of multi-gate switches. Each multi-gate switch may have first and second terminals, first and second gates, and a metal bridge. The metal bridge is attached to the first terminal. The metal bridge may extend over the gates and may hover above the second terminal in the off state. The metal bridge may have a tip that bends down to physically contact the second terminal in the on state. Switch control circuitry may provide row and column control signals to load desired switch states into the switch array. The switch array may be partitioned into groups of switches that form multiplexers. The multiplexers may be used in programmable circuits such as programmable logic device circuits.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A multi-gate switch, comprising:
 a source terminal formed on a substrate;   a drain terminal formed on the substrate;   first and second control gates formed on a surface of the substrate between the source and drain terminals; and   a flexible conductive structure that flexes in response to voltages directly applied on the first control gate and the second control gate, wherein the source and drain terminals are formed on a surface that is coplanar with the surface on which the first and second control gates are formed.   
     
     
         2 . The multi-gate switch defined in  claim 1 , wherein the source terminal comprises the only source terminal in the multi-gate switch. 
     
     
         3 . The multi-gate switch defined in  claim 2 , wherein the drain terminal comprises the only drain terminal in the multi-gate switch. 
     
     
         4 . The multi-gate switch defined in  claim 1 , wherein the flexible conductive structure comprises the only flexible conductive structure in the multi-gate switch. 
     
     
         5 . The multi-gate switch defined in  claim 1 , wherein the flexible conductive structure shorts the source and drain terminals. 
     
     
         6 . The multi-gate switch defined in  claim 5 , wherein the flexible conductive structure is permanently shorted to the source terminal. 
     
     
         7 . The multi-gate switch defined in  claim 1 , wherein the surface on which the first control gate is formed is coplanar with the surface on which the second control gate is formed. 
     
     
         8 . A switch, comprising:
 a drain terminal;   a source terminal;   a first gate terminal formed on a surface of a substrate;   a second gate terminal formed on the surface of the substrate; and   a conductive structure having a proximal end that is shorted to the source terminal and a distal end that is operable to contact the drain terminal without directly contacting the surface of the substrate.   
     
     
         9 . The switch defined in  claim 8 , wherein the first and second gate terminals are interposed between the drain and source terminals. 
     
     
         10 . The switch defined in  claim 8 , wherein the drain and source terminals are formed on a surface that is coplanar with the first and second gate terminals. 
     
     
         11 . The switch defined in  claim 8 , wherein the conductive structure comprises a flexible conductive structure that shorts the source and drain terminals in response to voltages directly applied on the first and second gate terminals. 
     
     
         12 . The switch defined in  claim 8 , wherein the conductive structure is permanently attached to the source terminal at the proximal end. 
     
     
         13 . The switch defined in  claim 12 , wherein the drain terminal comprises the only drain terminal in the switch. 
     
     
         14 . The switch defined in  claim 13 , wherein the conductive structure comprises the only flexible conductive structure in the switch. 
     
     
         15 . A switch, comprising:
 a source terminal;   a drain terminal;   a first gate terminal formed on a surface of a substrate, wherein the first gate terminal is interposed between the source and drain terminals;   a second gate terminal formed on the surface of the substrate, wherein the second gate terminal is interposed between the first gate terminal and the drain terminal; and   a flexible conductive structure that flexes in response to voltages directly applied on the first control gate and the second control gate.   
     
     
         16 . The switch defined in  claim 15 , wherein the flexible conductive structure has a proximal end that is permanently attached to the source terminal and a distal end that couples to the drain terminal without directly contacting the surface of the substrate. 
     
     
         17 . The switch defined in  claim 15 , wherein the source and drain terminals are formed on a surface that is coplanar with the surface on which the first and second gate terminals are formed. 
     
     
         18 . The switch defined in  claim 15 , wherein the drain terminal comprises the only drain terminal in the switch. 
     
     
         19 . The switch defined in  claim 15 , wherein the flexible conductive structure comprises the only flexible conductive structure in the switch. 
     
     
         20 . The switch defined in  claim 15 , wherein the flexible conductive structure flexes without ever physically contacting the first and second gate terminals.