Multi-Voltage Logic Fabric With Embedded Level Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated circuits, such as FPGAs, face a challenge in reducing power consumption while maintaining performance, as lowering the supply voltage decreases power consumption but also lowers performance, resulting in a significant performance penalty.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a multiple-voltage programmable logic fabric with downward and upward level conversion circuit elements to drive signals between different voltage domains, allowing for power-delay improvements without prior knowledge of user design specifics, by partitioning the fabric into domains with higher voltage for logic blocks and lower voltage for routing elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the supply voltage is lowered to reduce power consumption, then power consumption decreases, but performance deteriorates significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The programmable logic fabric is divided into multiple voltage domains, with logic blocks operating at a higher voltage (first voltage domain) and interconnect circuits operating at a lower voltage (second voltage domain). This segmentation allows each part to operate at its optimal voltage level, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining logic performance through the higher voltage domain.
Solution Approach 2:
Different voltage levels are applied to different parts of the circuit based on their specific requirements. Logic blocks require higher voltage for fast switching and are provided with it, while interconnect circuits can tolerate lower voltage and thus operate at reduced power. Level conversion circuit elements are placed locally at interfaces between voltage domains to enable this differentiated voltage supply.
2Use of energy by moving object
If multiple voltage domains are introduced to reduce power consumption, then power efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Level conversion functionality is merged with pipelined storage elements in the interconnect circuits. The storage elements perform both data storage and voltage level conversion functions, eliminating the need for separate level conversion circuits and reducing overall device complexity despite the multiple voltage domains.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipelined storage elements in the interconnect circuits automatically perform level conversion as part of their normal operation. When data is transferred between voltage domains, the storage elements inherently convert the voltage levels without requiring external intervention or additional dedicated conversion circuitry.
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment relates to an integrated circuit including a multiple-voltage programmable logic fabric. The programmable logic fabric includes circuits of a first type operating in a first voltage domain and circuits of a second type operating in a second voltage domain. The second voltage domain has a lower supply voltage than the first voltage domain. The integrated circuit further includes downward level conversion circuit elements in the programmable logic fabric for driving signals from the first voltage domain to the second voltage domain and upward level conversion circuit elements in the programmable logic fabric for driving signals from the second voltage domain to the first voltage domain. Other embodiments, aspects, and features are also disclosed.