Reconfigurable IC Crossbar Architecture for Routability and Mask Cost

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing complexity and density of integrated circuits (ICs) lead to high costs for manufacturing masks, and existing reconfigurable ICs face challenges in scalability and flexibility to accommodate small incremental changes in functionality, particularly in balancing area consumption versus routability.

Innovation Solution

A scalable architecture for reconfigurable ICs is introduced, featuring a combination of non-reconfigurable and reconfigurable function blocks interconnected through crossbar devices, allowing for flexible signal routing and efficient tradeoffs between area consumption and routability, with the ability to recursively expand function blocks and crossbar devices to accommodate varying signal routing needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If IC density and complexity are increased to improve functionality, then functional capabilities are improved, but manufacturing mask cost increases substantially

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional capabilitiesVSAvoidmanufacturing mask cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The IC is divided into fixed function blocks and reconfigurable function blocks. The fixed function blocks contain standard elements that remain unchanged across different offerings, while the reconfigurable function blocks can be configured to provide different functionalities. This segmentation allows the majority of the IC structure to be reused (reducing mask cost) while only small portions need to be customized (maintaining functional capabilities).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces reconfigurable function blocks that can dynamically change their functionality through configuration data stored in configuration memory. This allows the same physical hardware to adapt to different functional requirements between product offerings, eliminating the need to manufacture entirely new masks for each variant.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If reconfigurable function blocks are added to accommodate incremental functional changes, then adaptability is improved, but area consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to functional changesVSAvoidarea consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The reconfigurable function blocks are designed to perform multiple functions through configuration rather than having dedicated hardware for each function. A single reconfigurable block can be programmed to implement different logic functions, arithmetic operations, or data processing tasks, thereby providing high adaptability without proportionally increasing area consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Only specific portions of the IC (the reconfigurable function blocks) are designed with enhanced adaptability, while the majority of the IC consists of fixed function blocks with optimized area efficiency. This localized application of reconfigurability allows the system to achieve necessary adaptability for incremental changes without requiring the entire IC to consume excessive area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If extensive signal routing paths are implemented to connect function blocks, then routability is improved, but capacitive loading increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveroutabilityVSAvoidcapacitive loading

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces crossbar devices as intermediary routing elements that efficiently connect function blocks. These crossbar devices provide a structured and optimized routing path that reduces the total length of interconnections compared to direct point-to-point routing, thereby reducing capacitive loading while maintaining high routability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The routing architecture transitions from planar two-dimensional routing to a three-dimensional crossbar structure. This dimensional change allows signals to be routed through multiple layers and dimensions, reducing the physical distance and number of interconnections required, thereby reducing capacitive loading while improving routability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS7768301B2Reconfigurable integrated circuits with scalable architecture including a plurality of special function elements

Publication Date: 2010.08.03 META SYSTEMS SARL

AI summary

An integrated circuit (IC) includes a number of function blocks (FB), of which at least one is re-configurable. Each of the FBs may be a reconfigurable function or a non-reconfigurable function or recursively expanded with additional “nested” function blocks. The IC further includes a number of input pins, a number of output pins, an adder, and a number of crossbar devices. The elements, at least at the IC level, are coupled in a manner such that all input signals are provided to the FBs through a first subset of the crossbar devices, all internal signals are routed from one FB to another FB through a second subset of crossbar devices, and all output signals are routed from the FBs to the output pins through a third subset of crossbar devices. To increase routability and speed each of the crossbar device output has a single fanout. Additionally, each of the crossbar devices may provide only one input to each other crossbar device. In some embodiments, an FB may include special function elements, and optionally, (cascaded) selection paths. Other embodiments may also be described.