Isolation Verification for Redundant Modules in Programmable ICs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for ensuring isolation of redundant modules within a programmable integrated circuit (IC) require multiple ICs, increasing cost, complexity, and power consumption, while existing techniques for achieving isolation within a single IC are inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for verifying isolation of redundant modules within a single programmable IC by analyzing component failures, package pins, I/O buffers, and circuit attributes to determine if instances are isolated, using a cost threshold and predetermined distances to assess independence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate programmable ICs are used to implement redundant modules, then isolation between instances is achieved, but system cost, complexity, and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple redundant module instances into a single programmable IC by using configurable logic blocks and interconnect resources to implement isolation barriers. Instead of requiring separate physical ICs for each instance, the invention combines all instances within one IC while using programmable isolation mechanisms to maintain fault independence between them.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces configurable logic blocks and interconnect points as intermediary elements between redundant module instances. These intermediaries act as programmable isolation barriers that can be configured to block fault propagation while allowing normal signal transmission, thereby maintaining isolation without requiring separate physical ICs.
2Reliability
If multiple separate programmable ICs are used to implement redundant modules, then isolation between instances is achieved, but system size and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple redundant module instances and their isolation mechanisms into a single programmable IC, thereby reducing the total number of devices required. This merging approach decreases overall power consumption compared to using multiple separate ICs, while still maintaining fault isolation through programmable isolation barriers within the unified device.
3Device complexity
If conventional isolation techniques are used within a single IC, then system size is reduced, but isolation effectiveness becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamically configurable isolation barriers using programmable logic and interconnect points. Instead of fixed physical isolation, the isolation mechanisms can be reconfigured through loading different configuration data, allowing the same hardware resources to provide effective isolation for different module instances while maintaining system compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the isolation state by modifying configuration parameters loaded into the programmable logic elements. By altering the configuration data, the isolation barriers between module instances can be enabled or disabled as needed, providing efficient and effective isolation within a single IC without requiring physical separation.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method of verifying isolation of a plurality of instances of a redundant module of a circuit design that is implemented within a single, programmable integrated circuit can include counting component failures needed to establish a connection between at least two different ones of the plurality of instances of the redundant module. The method can include determining whether each instance of the redundant module is isolated from each other instance of the redundant module according to the counting of component failures, and outputting an indication whether each of the plurality of instances of the redundant module is isolated.