Programmable Logic Array Communication Using Shared TDM Channels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Integrated circuits with arrays of interconnected programmable logic elements face inefficiencies in using resources for communication, as existing methods consume programmable logic elements, limiting their availability for other functions and reducing performance in system-on-chip designs.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating dedicated communication interface circuits and shared communication channels within the array, allowing for efficient intra-array communication and external connectivity, with the shared channels having greater bandwidth than required for individual interconnect channels, enabling multiple channels to share a single communication channel through techniques like time-division-multiplexing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If programmable logic elements are used to provide communication interface functionality, then communication capability is achieved, but resource availability for other functions is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidavailability of programmable logic elements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The communication interface functionality is segmented from the programmable logic elements and implemented as dedicated communication interface circuits. These dedicated circuits handle communication tasks independently, freeing up programmable logic elements to be used for other functional purposes while maintaining full communication capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dedicated communication interface circuits are designed to work with multiple communication protocols and can serve various functional units within the array. This universal communication infrastructure allows different programmable logic elements to be configured for different functions while sharing the same communication resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If dedicated communication interface circuits are provided for each functional unit, then communication performance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication performanceVSAvoidnumber of communication interface circuits

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple communication interface circuits are merged into shared communication channels. The dedicated communication interface circuits connect to common shared communication channels that are distributed throughout the array, allowing multiple functional units to share communication infrastructure and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shared communication channels are designed to handle multiple communication protocols and serve multiple functional units simultaneously. This universal communication backbone reduces the need for dedicated communication paths for each functional unit, thereby reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Quantity of substance

If shared communication channels are used for intra-array communication, then resource efficiency is improved, but communication bandwidth must be sufficient for multiple channels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource efficiencyVSAvoidcommunication bandwidth requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple interconnect channels are time-division multiplexed over shared communication channels. Communication transactions from different functional units are transmitted in periodic time slots over the shared channels, allowing efficient resource utilization while meeting the bandwidth requirements of individual channels through temporal separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The shared communication channels are designed with higher bandwidth parameters than individual interconnect channels would require. This parameter increase allows multiple channels to be multiplexed over the shared infrastructure while maintaining the performance characteristics of individual channels through protocol control and arbitration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8675681B2Communication within an integrated circuit including an array of interconnected programmable logic elements

Publication Date: 2014.03.18 ARM LTD

AI summary

An integrated circuit includes an array of interconnected programmable logic elements (2) each logic element performing data processing control by a configuration. The logic elements may be part of a field programmable gate array. Embedded within the array are a plurality of dedicated communication interface circuits (36) providing access to one or more shared communication channels (38) to provide intra-array communication. Communication transactions between functional unit (78, 80, 82, 84) are multiplexed (e.g. time-division-multiplexed) together to share a shared communication channel provided within the array.