Configurable IC Error Detection Circuitry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Configurable integrated circuits (ICs) face issues with undetected random bit errors due to high-energy particles, leading to unpredictable system failures, and existing solutions like scrubbing and triple modular redundancy are either time-consuming or require significant additional IC real estate.
Innovation Solution
A configurable IC with integrated error detection and correction circuitry that continuously checks and corrects configuration memory, allowing for uncorrectable error detection and automatic resetting or external system intervention, using ECC logic and multiplexers to ensure reliable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If scrubbing is used to detect and correct errors in configuration memory, then error detection capability is improved, but system productivity deteriorates due to time consumption and external intervention requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by embedding error detection and correction circuitry directly within the configurable IC. The error detection circuit continuously monitors configuration memory internally, and the correction circuit automatically corrects detected errors without requiring external system intervention. This eliminates the need for periodic external scrubbing operations, allowing the system to maintain high productivity while achieving reliable error detection and correction.
2Reliability
If triple modular redundancy is used to detect and correct errors, then reliability is improved, but device complexity deteriorates due to requiring more than three times as much IC real estate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the error detection and correction functionality into separate dedicated circuits within the IC. The error detection circuit and correction circuit are implemented as distinct functional blocks that work together, allowing for efficient use of IC resources. This segmented approach achieves reliable error detection and correction with significantly reduced complexity compared to triple modular redundancy, as the circuits only need to monitor and correct errors in the configuration memory rather than replicate entire user circuits.
Data Source
AI summary
A configurable integrated circuit (IC) performs error detection and correction on configuration data. The IC includes a configuration memory for storing configuration data, an error detection circuitry for detecting an error and a circuit that outputs from the IC an uncorrectable error signal indicating the detection of an error. The configurable IC has a circuit inside of the IC that causes the IC to reset when the error circuitry detects an uncorrectable error. In another embodiment, the circuit that causes the IC to reset is located outside of the IC.