Configurable Storage Elements in IC Routing Fabric
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Solution Overview
Problem
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, leading to restricted design capabilities and increased signal delay.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a configurable routing fabric with parallel distributed paths and storage elements that can act as both transparent and clocked storage elements, enabling flexible storage and routing operations while supporting time borrowing between clock cycles, and including arithmetic elements for additional functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If user registers are used for data storage in configurable ICs, then data can be stored in the routing fabric, but data must be passed at specific clock edges which restricts design flexibility and increases signal delay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the storage element's behavior configurable through control signals. The same physical storage element can dynamically switch between transparent mode (allowing data to pass through without storage, reducing delay) and storage mode (latching data at clock edges). This dynamic reconfigurability resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to adapt its behavior based on design requirements, either prioritizing speed or storage capability as needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If user registers are used for data storage, then storage functionality is provided, but the requirement for specific clock edge data passing restricts design capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing a multi-functional storage element that can operate in multiple modes: transparent mode (acting as a pass-through buffer), storage mode (latching data on clock edges), and configurable modes (selecting specific clock edges for data capture). This single universal element replaces the need for separate transparent buffers and registered storage elements, providing both storage functionality and operational flexibility without requiring specific clock edge constraints for all operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If configurable storage elements are implemented in the routing fabric, then routing and storage operations are enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the merging principle by integrating storage functionality directly into the routing fabric's interconnect structure. The configurable storage elements are embedded within the routing resources, allowing the same circuitry to serve both routing and storage purposes. This integration reduces overall device complexity compared to having separate routing and storage subsystems, as the storage elements utilize the existing routing infrastructure and control mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments provide a configurable integrated circuit (IC) having a routing fabric that includes configurable storage element in its routing fabric. In some embodiments, the configurable storage element includes a parallel distributed path for configurably providing a pair of transparent storage elements. The pair of configurable storage elements can configurably act either as non-transparent (i.e., clocked) storage elements or transparent configurable storage elements. In some embodiments, the configurable storage element in the routing fabric performs both routing and storage operations by a parallel distributed path that includes a clocked storage element and a bypass connection. In some embodiments, the configurable storage element perform both routing and storage operations by a pair of master-slave latches but without a bypass connection. The routing fabric in some embodiments supports the borrowing of time from one clock cycle to another clock cycle by using the configurable storage element that can be configure to perform both routing and storage operations in different clock cycles. In some embodiments, the routing fabric provide a low power configurable storage element that includes multiple storage elements that operates at different phases of a slower running clock.