IC Region Routing for Power-Gated Configuration and Clock Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Integrated circuits face challenges in maintaining functionality across different regions when some regions are powered down, as dependencies between regions complicate data transmission and clock signal access, leading to inefficiencies in power consumption and potential leakage.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of power circuit components like fully integrated voltage regulators, configuration routing architectures, clock network on chip segments, and pass gates allows for independent power control and data routing across regions, enabling regions to power down without affecting others, using microcontrollers to reorganize region usage and isolate powered-down regions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If regions of the integrated circuit are powered down to reduce static power consumption, then power efficiency is improved, but data transmission and clock signal access between regions are disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestatic power consumptionVSAvoiddata transmission functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated circuit is divided into multiple independently powerable regions with dedicated routing resources. Each region can be powered down independently while others remain operational, allowing selective power management without compromising overall system functionality. The routing architecture is segmented into multiple paths so that data can be transmitted through active regions even when neighboring regions are powered down.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Active regions serve as intermediary pathways for data transmission between other active regions when intermediate regions are powered down. The routing system uses intermediate buffering and forwarding mechanisms in powered-on regions to relay data packets across the circuit, maintaining communication functionality despite regional power-down states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If configuration routing architecture is used to transmit configuration bits to different regions, then region accessibility is improved, but routing through powered-down regions causes data loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregion accessibilityVSAvoidconfiguration data

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The configuration routing architecture dynamically adapts its paths based on the power state of different regions. When a region is powered down, the routing system automatically reroutes configuration data through alternative active regions, adjusting the transmission path in real-time to avoid powered-down areas and prevent data loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary checks of region power states before initiating configuration data transmission. Routing paths are pre-calculated and prepared to avoid powered-down regions, ensuring that configuration bits are always transmitted through active regions where data integrity can be maintained.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If regions are independently powered on and off, then power management flexibility is improved, but dependencies between regions complicate operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower management flexibilityVSAvoidregion dependency management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple regions share universal routing infrastructure and communication protocols that work regardless of which specific regions are active. The routing architecture is designed to be region-agnostic, allowing any active region to communicate with any other active region through standardized interfaces, reducing the complexity of managing regional dependencies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where regions report their power state and connectivity status to a central controller. This feedback enables dynamic adjustment of routing paths and operational parameters to account for regional power-down states, simplifying the management of inter-region dependencies through automated adaptation rather than complex manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11115026B2Systems and methods for routing data across regions of an integrated circuit

Publication Date: 2021.09.07 ALTERA CORP

AI summary

An integrated circuit may include multiple programmable logic regions and a first plurality of routers. Each of the first plurality of routers is coupled to a respective region of a first portion of the programmable logic regions, and each of the first portion of the plurality of regions transmits configuration data to a first set of adjacent regions of the first portion of regions. The integrated circuit may also include a second plurality of routers, and each of the second plurality of routers is coupled to a respective region of a second portion of the regions. Each of the second portion of the regions transmits the configuration data to a second set of adjacent regions of the first portion of regions. The integrated circuit may also include a voltage regulator that distributes a voltage to each of the regions.