Integrated Circuit Region Routing for Power-Down Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Integrated circuits face challenges in maintaining functionality across different regions when some regions are powered down, as dependencies between regions complicate data transmission and clock signal access, leading to inefficiencies in power consumption and operation.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of power circuit components like fully integrated voltage regulators, configuration routing architectures, clock network on chip segments, and pass gates allows for independent power control and data routing across regions, enabling regions to power down without affecting others, using microcontrollers to reorganize region usage and ensure continuous operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If regions of the integrated circuit are powered down to reduce static power consumption, then power efficiency is improved, but data transmission and clock signal access between regions are disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestatic power consumptionVSAvoiddata transmission functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated circuit is divided into multiple independently powerable regions with dedicated routing resources. Each region can be powered down independently while others remain operational, allowing selective power management without compromising overall system functionality. The routing architecture is segmented into region-specific channels that maintain independence between powered and powered-down regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Dedicated routing channels and buffer regions act as intermediaries between powered and powered-down regions. These intermediary structures enable data and clock signals to traverse through active regions to reach inactive regions, maintaining communication pathways even when destination regions are powered down. The routing architecture includes intermediate buffers that can hold and forward signals across region boundaries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If configuration routing architecture is used to transmit configuration bits to different regions, then region accessibility is improved, but routing through powered down regions causes operational disruptions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregion accessibilityVSAvoidconfiguration transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The configuration routing architecture is segmented into multiple independent paths that can be selectively activated. When a region is powered down, the routing system automatically segments the configuration path to bypass the inactive region through alternative channels, ensuring configuration bits can still reach all regions without interference from powered-down areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The routing architecture dynamically reconfigures signal paths based on the power state of different regions. When regions are powered down, the system dynamically redirects configuration and data signals through alternative active regions, maintaining operational flexibility and ensuring that region accessibility is preserved regardless of power states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Use of energy by moving object

If regions are independently powered to reduce overall power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but inter-region dependencies complicate system operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoverall power consumptionVSAvoidinter-region dependencies

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The interconnection fabric is segmented into region-specific routing channels that are logically isolated. This segmentation allows each region to be independently powered while maintaining simple, predictable interconnection patterns. The dedicated routing channels reduce the complexity of managing inter-region dependencies by providing explicit, predetermined pathways that don't require complex dynamic routing logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The routing architecture provides universal channels that can handle multiple types of traffic (configuration bits, data, clock signals) between regions. These multi-functional routing resources reduce overall system complexity by consolidating inter-region communication needs into standardized pathways that work across different power configurations and operational modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10587273B2Systems and methods for routing data across regions of an integrated circuit

Publication Date: 2020.03.10 ALTERA CORP

AI summary

An integrated circuit may include multiple programmable logic regions and a first plurality of routers. Each of the first plurality of routers is coupled to a respective region of a first portion of the programmable logic regions, and each of the first portion of the plurality of regions transmits configuration data to a first set of adjacent regions of the first portion of regions. The integrated circuit may also include a second plurality of routers, and each of the second plurality of routers is coupled to a respective region of a second portion of the regions. Each of the second portion of the regions transmits the configuration data to a second set of adjacent regions of the first portion of regions. The integrated circuit may also include a voltage regulator that distributes a voltage to each of the regions.