Mixed-Signal PSoC Array for Reconfigurable Analog-Digital Integration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microcontroller designs lack the ability to dynamically program both analog and digital circuits, requiring pre-programming and necessitating multiple semiconductor chips for complex communication between analog and digital circuits, which increases area and cost on a semiconductor chip.
Innovation Solution
A Programmable System-on-Chip (PSoC) architecture that integrates programmable universal digital blocks (UDBs) and mixed-signal capabilities, allowing for dynamic reconfiguration of both digital and analog functions within a single chip, enabling flexible routing and interconnectivity between digital and analog subsystems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If pre-programmed digital circuits (PLA or FPGA) are used to realize general purpose digital functions, then digital functionality is achieved, but chip area and manufacturing cost increase due to excessive digital logic requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal digital block (UDB) that can be dynamically reconfigured to perform multiple digital functions through programming. Instead of dedicating separate logic circuits for each function, a single UDB structure serves multiple purposes by changing its internal configuration, thereby reducing the total number of logic elements needed on the chip while maintaining full digital functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The digital circuits are made dynamically reconfigurable through programming, allowing the same hardware structure to adapt to different digital functions at different times. This dynamic capability replaces the need for static, pre-programmed dedicated logic circuits, significantly reducing the overall digital logic footprint on the chip.
2Adaptability or versatility
If pre-programmed analog circuits (CT or SC) are used with fixed functions, then analog functionality is achieved, but dynamic reprogramming capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a unified programmable array that can implement both analog and digital functions. The same physical infrastructure (programmable logic array) serves dual purposes: configuring analog circuit parameters and controlling digital logic behavior, thereby enabling dynamic reprogramming of analog circuits without adding separate dedicated programming mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the programming capability for analog circuits with the digital logic array. The programmable logic that controls digital functions also serves to configure analog circuit parameters, combining what were traditionally separate programming mechanisms into a single integrated system, thus enabling dynamic reprogramming while managing complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple semiconductor chips are used to enable complex communication between analog and digital circuits, then functional versatility is improved, but chip area and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates both analog and digital circuits, along with their interconnection infrastructure, into a single semiconductor chip. The programmable logic array serves as a unified control mechanism for both analog and digital blocks, eliminating the need for separate chips and reducing the total system area while maintaining full analog-digital communication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal programmable infrastructure that handles both analog configuration and digital logic control within a single chip. This multi-functional approach allows complex analog-digital communication to be achieved through software configuration rather than requiring dedicated hardware interconnects across multiple chips.
Data Source
AI summary
A programmable device comprises a plurality of programmable blocks, a debug interface coupled with the plurality of programmable blocks, a debug interface coupled with the plurality of programmable blocks, and a power manger coupled with the plurality of programmable blocks. The power manager is configured to supply power to a subset of the plurality of programmable blocks during debugging of the subset while maintaining a different subset of the plurality of programmable blocks in a lower power mode.