Crossbar Structure With Constant Output Paths for Reconfigurable Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reconfigurable circuits require computational resources to provide constant logic values, which can be inefficient and occupy routing resources, limiting their functionality.
Innovation Solution
A crossbar structure with additional chains of transistors and control signals that allow for the generation of constant output voltages, enabling the disconnection of inputs from internal capacitance and providing constant values without using computational resources, by selectively enabling transistors connected to a voltage source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If computational resources are used to provide constant logic values in existing reconfigurable circuits, then constant logic values can be generated, but computational resources are occupied and routing resources are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the constant logic value generation function from the computational resources by adding dedicated constant generation circuits (constant logic value generation units) that operate independently. This removes the burden from computational resources, allowing them to be used for other purposes while still providing constant logic values when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The constant generation circuits are designed to provide constant logic values (0 or 1) that can be used by multiple different computational units and logic structures within the reconfigurable circuit. This multi-functional approach allows a single constant generation mechanism to serve various computational tasks, reducing overall resource occupation.
2Reliability
If computational resources are used to provide constant logic values, then constant values can be generated, but routing resources are limited
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting constant logic value generation from the routing and computational resources, the patent creates dedicated constant generation units with separate routing paths. This extraction frees up the main routing resources for other signal transmissions and logic operations, increasing overall routing versatility while maintaining constant value generation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate constant generation circuits that act as mediators between the power supply/voltage sources and the computational units. These intermediary circuits provide constant logic values through dedicated paths, reducing the need for computational units to generate constants themselves and thereby freeing up routing resources for other purposes.
3Productivity
If existing reconfigurable circuit architecture is used, then basic logic operations can be performed, but computational resources are inefficiently used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the reconfigurable circuit architecture into distinct functional modules: constant generation units, computational units, and interconnection resources. By segmenting the constant generation function into separate dedicated units, the system improves computational resource efficiency as constants can be generated in parallel without occupying computational units, while the modular architecture maintains manageability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multiple constant generation units that can be selectively activated based on the computational needs of different logic structures. Rather than having a single constant generation resource that becomes a bottleneck, multiple copied constant generation capabilities are distributed throughout the architecture, improving overall productivity while maintaining a systematic approach to resource management.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments provide crossbar structures, and reconfigurable circuits that contain crossbar structures, that include n inputs and an output, where n is an integer, chains of transistors coupled to the n inputs and the output, a plurality of control signal elements—each coupled to one or more transistors of the plurality of chains of transistors to selectively couple said n inputs to the output—and an additional chain of transistors coupled to at least some of the plurality of control signal elements and the output to selectively couple a constant output voltage to the output. Other embodiments may be disclosed and claimed.