Basic Logic Element Output Authority Transfer for FPGA Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing redundancy circuit configuration in Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) fails to improve reliability due to a single failure point in the majority circuit, which prevents correct output when an abnormality occurs.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a basic logic element with a self-diagnosis unit, management unit, and output control unit that allows for self-diagnosis, authority management, and controlled output based on diagnosis results, eliminating the need for a majority circuit by transferring authority to other elements upon detecting abnormalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a majority circuit is used to select results from multiple calculation circuits, then reliability is improved through redundancy, but a single failure point is created in the majority circuit itself
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the selection function from a separate majority circuit and integrates it into each basic logic element itself. Each BLE now contains its own selection logic that determines whether to output its own calculation result or another BLE's result, eliminating the need for a centralized majority circuit and its associated single failure point.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the selection authority from a centralized majority circuit and distributes it to individual basic logic elements. Each BLE independently manages its own output selection based on authority signals, dividing the monolithic selection function into distributed decision-making units.
2Ease of operation
If a centralized majority circuit concentrates result selection, then output control is simplified, but reliability decreases due to single failure point
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic authority management where the selection authority is not fixed but can be transferred between basic logic elements based on their operational status. The authority signal dynamically routes output selection to functional BLEs, maintaining simple control logic while improving reliability through adaptive failure avoidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where each BLE monitors its own operational status and adjusts its output authority accordingly. When a BLE detects its own failure or receives failure information from others, it automatically relinquishes authority to functional BLEs, creating a self-regulating system that maintains reliability without complex centralized control.
3Productivity
If multiple basic logic elements perform parallel calculation, then calculation speed is improved, but reliability is compromised when majority circuit fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables each basic logic element to autonomously manage its own output authority based on its operational status and the status of other BLEs. Each BLE independently determines whether to maintain or transfer authority without requiring a centralized majority circuit, allowing parallel calculation to continue with improved reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A basic logic element includes: a calculation unit configured to perform calculation processing; a self-diagnosis unit configured to self-diagnose whether or not there is an abnormality in a result of the calculation output from the basic logic element; a management unit configured to determine whether or not to retain authority to output the result of the calculation based on a result of the diagnosis performed by the self-diagnosis unit and output a result of the determination as an authority signal; and an output control unit configured to control whether or not to output the result of the calculation performed by the calculation unit based on whether or not the authority to output data is retained by the management unit.