Reconfigurable Circuit Suspension Control and Data Buffering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reconfigurable circuits face data exchange issues when suspending computation, leading to data loss during context switching due to the inability to load new data from external buffers during suspended operations.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a buffer circuit to temporarily store data from external sources during suspension and supply it upon resumption, along with a suspension control circuit to manage the suspension and resumption of operations, ensuring data continuity and preventing loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the reconfigurable circuit suspends computation during context switching, then the arithmetic execution units can be shared in a time-division fashion, but data supplied from the external buffer during suspension cannot be loaded, causing data loss
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer circuit pre-stores data from the external buffer during the suspension period, so that when the reconfigurable circuit resumes operation, the data is already ready and can be immediately loaded without loss. This preliminary action of capturing data during suspension resolves the contradiction by ensuring data continuity while maintaining context switching capability
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer circuit acts as an intermediary between the external buffer and the reconfigurable circuit's flip-flops. During suspension, the buffer circuit captures data from the external buffer and holds it, then transfers it to the flip-flops upon resumption. This intermediary mechanism prevents data loss while allowing the reconfigurable circuit to suspend computation for context switching
2Quantity of substance
If an external buffer is connected to the reconfigurable circuit, then data can be stored and supplied clock by clock, but data exchange issues occur when the reconfigurable circuit suspends operation
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer circuit serves as an intermediary that bridges the external buffer and the reconfigurable circuit's internal flip-flops. During suspension, it captures data from the external buffer and preserves it, ensuring reliable data transfer when the circuit resumes. This intermediary role maintains data exchange reliability while enabling external buffer connectivity
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer circuit provides beforehand cushioning by pre-storing data during suspension periods. This cushioning mechanism protects against data loss and ensures reliable data exchange, resolving the contradiction between having external buffer connectivity and maintaining reliability during suspension
Data Source
AI summary
A reconfigurable circuit includes a reconfigurable arithmetic execution unit array including a plurality of arithmetic execution units and a network circuit to provide reconfigurable connections between the arithmetic execution units, a suspension control circuit configured to control suspension and resumption of operation of the reconfigurable arithmetic execution unit array, and a buffer circuit configured to temporarily store data supplied from an external source upon suspension of the operation of the reconfigurable arithmetic execution unit array and to supply the stored data to the reconfigurable arithmetic execution unit array upon resumption of the operation of the reconfigurable arithmetic execution unit array.