Configurable Storage Elements for Low-Delay IC Routing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing configurable integrated circuits (ICs) face limitations in flexible data storage and routing operations, as user registers often require data to be passed at specific clock edges and increase signal delay, restricting the IC to either storage or logic operations but not both.
Innovation Solution
A configurable IC with a routing fabric that includes parallel distributed paths for transparent and clocked storage elements, allowing for both routing and storage operations, and incorporating arithmetic elements that perform operations like add and compare without relying on external logic circuits, along with power-saving features to reduce unnecessary signal toggling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If user registers are used for data storage in configurable ICs, then storage capability is improved, but signal delay increases and the IC is restricted to either storage or logic operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic storage elements that can be configured at runtime to be either transparent or non-transparent, allowing the routing fabric to adapt its behavior based on operational needs. This dynamic configurability enables the same hardware structure to serve both routing and storage functions without fixed signal delay penalties
Solution Approach 2:
The routing fabric is designed to perform multiple functions - both routing operations and storage operations - using the same infrastructure. The storage elements are integrated within the routing fabric itself, allowing circuits to utilize existing pathways for both data transmission and data storage without requiring separate dedicated storage circuits
2Quantity of substance
If user registers are used for data storage, then storage capability is improved, but the IC is restricted to either storage or logic operations
Solution Approach 1:
The storage elements are configured dynamically through configuration data that can be modified at runtime, allowing the IC to switch between different operational modes (transparent vs. non-transparent storage) based on the specific computational task being performed
Solution Approach 2:
The routing fabric with integrated storage elements serves as a universal platform that can perform both routing operations and storage operations, eliminating the need to choose between storage capability and logic operation capability
3Adaptability or versatility
If configuration data is written in SRAM cells to configure logic circuits, then configurability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements selective configuration where only specific portions of the routing fabric are configured and activated based on operational needs. Configuration data is written to SRAM cells for only the necessary storage elements, leaving other portions in a default state, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining required configurability
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit (“IC”) having configurable logic circuits for configurably performing multiple different logic operations based on configuration data is provided. The IC includes a row of the configurable logic circuits and multiple configuration retrieval circuits for providing configuration bits to the row of configurable logic circuits. The IC also includes a row configuration controller for forcing the multiple configuration retrieval circuits to output a particular configuration value based on a user signal that is received at runtime.