(under subclass 202) Subject matter wherein the gate array integrated circuit is provided with specific means to input and output electrical signals to operate the device.
(1) Note. Examples of particular chip input/output means include (a) interface circuits, i.e., circuits that connect the chip to another device or to a circuit and which produces necessary current and voltage characteristics for the interconnected devices and circuits to function properly, with particular active solid-state devices used in the interface circuits; (b) structure permitting electrical interconnection to either receive an input signal or to output an output signal; or (c) specific bonding pad or electrode configurations (i.e., wherein the input/output means includes a particular electrically conductive surface to which electrical interconnecting element (e.g., electrical leads) can be connected, or has a specified electrode configuration such as a power supply bus for the input/output means separate from those used to power the gate array devices.
