Net Suitability Evaluation for Time-Division Multiplexing in IC Partitioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The partitioning of circuit designs across multiple regions of an integrated circuit (IC) device is constrained by limited inter-region connection resources, leading to potential failure in signal routing due to insufficient connections and congestion in some regions.
Innovation Solution
A method where a design tool evaluates the suitability of nets for cutting into 'cut nets' that cross partition boundaries, favoring those with higher suitability and assigning them to groups with time-division multiplexing (TDM) circuitry to reduce the need for inter-region connections and alleviate congestion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the circuit design is partitioned across multiple regions, then the design can be distributed and placed on the IC device, but the limited inter-region connection resources cause insufficient signal routing capacity and region congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies time-division multiplexing to inter-region connections, where signal transmission occurs in periodic time slots rather than continuously. Multiple signals share the same physical connection resource by transmitting in different time periods, effectively increasing the routing capacity of limited inter-region connections without adding more physical connection resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of connection resources by introducing time-domain multiplexing. Instead of treating connections as static single-channel resources, the system transforms them into multi-channel resources through time-slot allocation, changing the effective bandwidth and capacity parameters of inter-region connections.
2Reliability
If more inter-region connection resources are provided, then signal routing capacity increases, but the device complexity and resource overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple signal channels into shared physical connection resources through time-division multiplexing. Instead of providing separate dedicated connections for each signal, the system combines multiple signals onto the same physical inter-region connections by allocating different time slots, thereby reducing the total number of physical connections required while maintaining adequate signal routing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes inter-region connection resources universal by enabling them to serve multiple functions and multiple signals through time-multiplexing. The same physical connection infrastructure is used to carry different signals at different times, increasing the utility and effective capacity of each connection resource without increasing physical complexity.
3Productivity
If nets are cut to cross partition boundaries, then distribution across regions is achieved, but congestion increases in regions with fewer available connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses time-division multiplexing to allow multiple cut nets to share the same inter-region connection resources through periodic time-slot allocation. This reduces congestion at partition boundaries by distributing the timing of signal transmissions, making routing of cut nets more manageable despite the limited physical connection resources available at region boundaries.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed approaches involve evaluating by a design tool executing on a computer system, a plurality of nets of a circuit design for individual levels of suitability for cutting each net into a cut net that crosses a partition boundary between a plurality of partitions of an integrated circuit (IC) device. The design tool partitions the circuit design. The partitioning includes cutting one or more of the nets into cut nets and favoring the cutting of ones of the plurality of nets having a greater level of suitability over others of the plurality of nets having a lesser level of suitability. The design tool assigns each cut net to one group of a plurality of groups and inserts respective time-division multiplexing circuitry on each group of cut nets. The design toon then places the circuit design on the IC device.