Boundary Logic Interface Layout for Flexible IC Signal Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The architecture of programmable logic regions in integrated circuits (ICs) poses challenges for efficient routing of signals to and from the programmable logic region, particularly due to limitations in the design of boundary logic interfaces (BLIs) that restrict flexibility and resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of boundary logic interfaces (BLIs) outside the programmable logic region, allowing for flexible physical and logical dimensions, direct access to the global routing network, and inclusion of synchronization stages for pipelining and data rate conversion, enables improved signal communication without increasing latency or resource usage within the programmable logic region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If boundary logic interfaces are placed inside the programmable logic region, then routing flexibility is limited, but device area is saved
Solution Approach 1:
The boundary logic interfaces are extracted from the programmable logic region and placed in the interconnect region, separating the interface functionality from the logic fabric. This extraction allows the interfaces to access the global routing network directly without being constrained by the logic region boundary, thereby improving routing flexibility while the interconnect region efficiently utilizes the available device area.
2Adaptability or versatility
If boundary logic interfaces are placed outside the programmable logic region, then routing flexibility improves, but device area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The boundary logic interfaces are positioned in the interconnect region, utilizing the vertical dimension and interconnect space rather than consuming additional horizontal device area. This dimensional repositioning allows the interfaces to access the global routing network with improved flexibility while efficiently using the existing interconnect region space.
3Productivity
If boundary logic interfaces have direct access to global routing network, then signal communication efficiency improves, but resource usage within programmable logic region increases
Solution Approach 1:
The boundary logic interfaces are extracted from the programmable logic region and placed in the interconnect region, allowing them to access the global routing network directly. This extraction enables efficient signal communication without consuming resources within the programmable logic region, as the interfaces operate independently in the interconnect region while maintaining direct routing access.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples described herein provide for a boundary logic interface (BLI) to a programmable logic region in an integrated circuit (IC), and methods for operating such IC. An example IC includes a programmable logic region and boundary logic interfaces. The programmable logic region includes columns of interconnect elements disposed between columns of logic elements. The boundary logic interfaces are at respective ends of and communicatively connected to the columns of interconnect elements. The boundary logic interfaces are outside of a boundary of the programmable logic region. A first boundary logic interface (BLI) of the boundary logic interfaces is configured to be communicatively connected to an exterior circuit. The first BLI includes an interface configured to communicate a signal between the exterior circuit and the programmable logic region.