Distributed Relocatable Voltage Regulator for FPGA Socket Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ASICs are not compatible with FPGAs due to power supply voltage mismatch, making it difficult to replace FPGAs with platform ASICs without external components or board-level modifications.
Innovation Solution
A distributed relocatable voltage regulator is implemented using pre-diffused regions on an integrated circuit, which can be metal-programmed to generate core power on a per-pin basis, manage power dissipation, and facilitate power management, allowing for 'same socket' retrofits without additional components or board modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If FPGAs are used to achieve high performance, then performance is improved, but power consumption increases and heat dissipation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the voltage regulation function into multiple distributed regulators across the FPGA fabric, with each region having its own voltage regulator. This segmentation allows localized power management and reduces overall power consumption by regulating voltage only where needed rather than across the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements per-region voltage regulation where each region can have customized voltage levels tailored to its specific performance requirements. This local quality approach allows high-performance regions to operate at higher voltages while low-performance regions operate at lower voltages, optimizing the balance between performance and power consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If platform ASICs are used to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but compatibility with existing FPGA sockets is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal voltage regulator design that can operate in multiple voltage modes (1.2V, 1.8V, 2.5V, 3.3V) and supports both FPGA and ASIC architectures. This multi-functionality allows the same device to replace FPGAs in existing sockets while providing ASIC-level power efficiency, achieving both universality and energy efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If voltage regulators are integrated into the FPGA fabric to enable drop-in replacement, then socket compatibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the voltage regulator functionality directly into the FPGA fabric by integrating regulators within the logic regions. This consolidation eliminates the need for external voltage regulation components and board-level modifications, achieving socket compatibility while managing complexity through integration rather than addition of separate components.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprising an integrated circuit having (i) a number of regions each pre-diffused and configured to be metal-programmed and (ii) a plurality of pins configured to connect the integrated circuit to a socket. A logic portion may be implemented on the integrated circuit (i) configured to implement integrated circuit operations and (ii) having one or more I/O connections and one or more supply connections. A first group of the pre-diffused regions are metal-programmed and coupled to said I/O connections. A second group of the pre-diffused regions are metal-programmed and coupled to the supply connections.