Programmable I/O Transceiver for Multi-Standard FPGA Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) devices face challenges in efficiently handling various voltage swing standards and power supply voltages, leading to costly and time-consuming customization of I/O buffers, with conventional designs requiring large silicon area and excessive power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A programmable transceiver circuit with a driver and receiver block, sharing a common I/O pin, that can be programmed for different functions such as CMOS, TTL, PCI, HSTL, SSTL, and LVDS, allowing for adjustable driving strengths, output impedance, and power supply voltage, enabling flexible communication with various ASIC and FPGA devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple driver and receiver circuits are used in parallel with multiplexor selection, then various voltage swing standards can be supported, but silicon chip area increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal transceiver circuit that can operate in multiple voltage swing standards (CMOS, TTL, PCI, HSTL, SSTL, LVDS) through a single integrated circuit design. The circuit uses programmable control signals to reconfigure the same hardware resources to support different I/O standards, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated circuits for each standard.
Solution Approach 2:
The transceiver circuit employs dynamic reconfiguration capabilities where the circuit topology and operating parameters can be changed in real-time based on the required I/O standard. Control logic dynamically adjusts the circuit configuration through programming inputs, allowing the same physical circuit to adapt its electrical characteristics for different voltage swing standards without requiring separate static circuits for each standard.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple driver and receiver circuits are used in parallel, then various voltage swing standards can be supported, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal transceiver circuit that can operate in multiple voltage swing standards (CMOS, TTL, PCI, HSTL, SSTL, LVDS) through a single integrated circuit design. The circuit uses programmable control signals to reconfigure the same hardware resources to support different I/O standards, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated circuits for each standard.
Solution Approach 2:
The transceiver employs periodic reconfiguration of its operating state based on the required I/O standard. Rather than continuously operating multiple circuits simultaneously, the circuit periodically switches between different operational modes as needed, activating only the necessary circuit components for the current communication requirement, thereby reducing overall power consumption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple driver and receiver circuits are used in parallel, then various voltage swing standards can be supported, but signal delays increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transceiver circuit employs dynamic reconfiguration capabilities where the circuit topology and operating parameters can be changed in real-time based on the required I/O standard. Control logic dynamically adjusts the circuit configuration through programming inputs, allowing the same physical circuit to adapt its electrical characteristics for different voltage swing standards without requiring separate static circuits for each standard.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the multiplexor selection logic and associated control circuitry from the traditional multi-circuit parallel architecture. By directly configuring the single transceiver circuit through programming inputs, the patent removes unnecessary intermediate components and signal paths, thereby reducing overall signal delay and improving communication speed.
4Reliability
If custom I/O buffers are created for every application, then specific voltage standards can be optimized, but development cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal transceiver circuit that can operate in multiple voltage swing standards (CMOS, TTL, PCI, HSTL, SSTL, LVDS) through a single integrated circuit design. The circuit uses programmable control signals to reconfigure the same hardware resources to support different I/O standards, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated circuits for each standard.
Solution Approach 2:
The transceiver circuit enables parameter changes in its operating characteristics through programming inputs. By modifying control parameters such as voltage levels, driving strength, and termination resistance, the circuit can be reconfigured to optimize performance for different voltage standards and application requirements, providing customization capabilities without requiring physical redesign or additional development time.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-function programmable transceiver is described. The transceiver includes a driver circuit and a receiver circuit, which allows an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) device to drive and receive data from other ASIC devices. Both the driver and receiver circuits share a common input/output (I/O) pin. The driver circuit can be programmed to provide one of the several driver functions, such as CMOS, TTL, PCI, HSTL, SSTL and LVDS. Other functional features of the transceiver that can be programmed are driving strengths or output impedance, output power supply voltage, single ended or differential mode of HSTL/SSTL transceivers, and class 1 or class 2 operations for SSTL/HSTL transceivers. The receiver circuit can also be programmed to provide one of the several receiver functions, such as CMOS, TTL, PCI, HSTL, SSTL and LVDS.