FPGA Clock Region Organization for Multi-Speed Signal Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional programmable semiconductor devices, such as FPGAs, face challenges in providing flexible clock distribution with different clock speeds across various sections, limiting their efficiency and versatility.
Innovation Solution
The organization of FPGAs into multiple clock regions with a clock fabric that generates programmable regional, inter-regional, and secondary clock signals, allowing different clock speeds for various logic operations, enhancing flexibility and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional FPGA or PLD uses a single clock distribution system, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it is difficult to provide different clock speeds across various sections of the device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the FPGA device into multiple clock regions (first clock region, second clock region, third clock region, fourth clock region), each capable of operating at different clock speeds. This segmentation allows different sections of the device to run at optimized speeds for their specific functions, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity by organizing the clock distribution into manageable regional units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local clock quality control by providing different clock signals to different regions based on their specific requirements. Each clock region can have customized clock characteristics (frequency, phase, quality) tailored to its functional needs, enabling high-speed operations in communication regions while using lower speeds in less time-sensitive areas.
2Productivity
If different clock speeds are provided to various sections of an FPGA, then processing efficiency and power management improve, but the clock distribution system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the clock distribution into regional clock signals (RCSs), neighboring clock signals (NCSs), and global clock signals, the patent enables efficient parallel processing in different regions while managing complexity through hierarchical organization. Each region can process data at optimal speeds independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a spatial dimension to clock distribution by organizing clocks in a hierarchical structure spanning multiple levels (regional, neighboring, global). This multi-dimensional approach allows efficient clock management across the entire device without linearly increasing complexity, as each level serves a specific spatial scope.
3Speed
If multiple clock regions with different clock speeds are implemented, then network transmission capabilities and data communication efficiency improve, but the device requires more complex clock management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary clock signals (NCSs) that bridge between regional clocks and global clocks, facilitating coordinated data transmission across region boundaries. These intermediary signals simplify the management of high-speed communication by providing a intermediate layer of clock coordination between fast regional operations and slower global synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The clock fabric is designed to be dynamically configurable, allowing the system to adapt clock distributions based on real-time communication requirements. The clock management logic can selectively activate different clock regions and adjust their speeds based on data transmission demands, making the complex system easier to operate through intelligent adaptation.
Data Source
AI summary
A configurable semiconductor device (“CSD”) is organized in four (4) quadrants able to perform user-defined logic functions via a clock fabric. The first quadrant, in one embodiment, includes a first serializer and deserializer (“SerDes”) region and a bank0 region for data processing. The second quadrant includes a second SerDes region and a bank5 region and the third quadrant contains a bank3 region and a bank4 region. The fourth quadrant includes a bank1 region and a bank2 region. The clock fabric is configured to provide a set of programmable or selectable clock signals with different clock speeds to various regions within the CSD.