Global Switch Box Clock Plane Transition for Flexible FPGA Routing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing programmable logic devices face challenges in efficiently routing clock signals across multiple clock regions due to interference and constraints in clock plane usage, limiting flexibility and performance.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a global switch box (GSB) that transitions clock signals between different clock planes using bi-directional interplane connections, allowing for flexible routing and minimizing interference by partitioning clock indices into separate groups, thereby supporting up to 48 chip-wide clocks without additional input/output constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If clock signals are routed across multiple clock regions using traditional clock plane usage, then clock distribution is achieved, but interference and constraints increase, limiting flexibility and performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments clock indices into different groups (first group and second group) that can be independently routed on different clock planes. This segmentation allows clock signals to be distributed across multiple regions without interference by assigning different groups to different planes, thereby resolving the contradiction between routing flexibility and interference reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension for clock signal routing by utilizing multiple clock planes (first clock plane and second clock plane) vertically stacked. Instead of routing all clock signals on a single plane, the invention transitions clock signals between planes using interplane connections, effectively adding a vertical dimension to the routing topology. This dimensional expansion enables flexible routing while minimizing interference by distributing signals across multiple spatial layers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more clock regions are synchronized, then device functionality improves, but clock routing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides clock indices into multiple groups that can be independently managed and routed. Each group can be assigned to different clock planes and routed to different clock regions independently. This segmentation simplifies the routing complexity by allowing modular configuration of clock distribution across multiple regions, rather than managing all clock signals as a single complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The global switch box (GSB) is designed with universal functionality to handle clock signals from multiple groups and route them to various clock regions. The GSB can selectively connect different clock index groups to different output regions, providing a multi-functional interface that simplifies the overall routing architecture while supporting extensive clock region coverage.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional clock routing is used, then implementation is straightforward, but flexibility and performance are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a global switch box (GSB) as an intermediary component between clock signal sources and clock regions. The GSB acts as a mediator that receives clock signals from multiple groups and intelligently routes them to appropriate regions. This intermediary structure maintains implementation simplicity by providing a standardized interface while enabling advanced routing capabilities and high performance through selective signal distribution across multiple planes.
Data Source
AI summary
In some implementations, a first global switch box (GSB) may receive, via a first plane, a clock signal via a first clock index of a set of clock indices configured to receive clock signals via a clock routing channel. The first GSB may transition the clock signal to a second plane associated with a second clock index. The first GSB may provide, via the second plane, the clock signal to a second GSB via the second clock index. Implementations may provide the bi-directional connection and multiple quantities of such connections to bridge one index to many other indices for other planes.