NoC Pipeline Stage Insertion for One-Cycle Signal Propagation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network-on-chip (NoC) implementations face challenges in modifying connections that are too far apart, necessitating a tool that can analyze and automatically adjust the NoC topology by inserting pipeline stages to ensure efficient signal propagation within the specified design constraints.
Innovation Solution
A tool that analyzes all connections in the NoC and automatically modifies the topology by inserting or removing pipeline stages as needed, ensuring signal propagation within one clock cycle, while optimizing the chip floorplan and element positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the NoC topology is modified to reduce distances between elements, then signal propagation time is reduced, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces pipeline stages as intermediary elements inserted between distant NoC elements. These pipeline stages act as mediators that break down long-distance connections into shorter segments, ensuring signal propagation completes within one clock cycle without requiring complete topology redesign. The automated tool inserts these intermediary pipeline elements systematically based on distance analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments long-distance connections by inserting pipeline stages at calculated intervals. The automated tool analyzes the floorplan and divides excessive-distance connections into multiple shorter segments separated by pipeline elements, transforming a single complex topology modification into manageable segmented improvements.
2Loss of time
If pipeline stages are inserted manually to reduce connection distances, then signal propagation is optimized, but the productivity and efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The automated tool implements self-service by autonomously analyzing the NoC floorplan, identifying connections exceeding distance thresholds, calculating optimal pipeline stage insertion points, and modifying the topology without human intervention. The system serves itself by automatically performing tasks that would otherwise require manual designer effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool incorporates feedback mechanisms by continuously analyzing the floorplan configuration, evaluating connection distances against design constraints, and iteratively inserting pipeline stages until all connections meet the one-clock-cycle propagation requirement. The system monitors its own progress and adjusts its modifications based on real-time analysis results.
3Manufacturing precision
If the NoC topology is automatically modified by inserting pipeline stages, then manufacturing precision and reliability improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by inserting pipeline stages only at specific locations where distance constraints are violated, rather than uniformly across the entire NoC. The automated tool analyzes each connection individually and applies pipeline insertion only where necessary, maintaining manufacturing precision for critical paths while avoiding unnecessary complexity in other areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the topology parameters by inserting pipeline stages based on calculated distance thresholds and clock cycle requirements. The automated tool adjusts the number and position of pipeline elements as variables to optimize the balance between propagation time constraints and overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A tool makes modifications to the chip floorplan and the network-on-chip (NoC) elements' position on the floorplan and updates the number and position of the pipeline elements in a pipeline stage automatically, resulting in fewer errors and higher productivity.