Repeater Circuit Configuration Using Shared Data Wires
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Solution Overview
Problem
Active bridges or interposers used for FPGA die disaggregation face challenges in setting the direction of wires during software compile time, leading to a 100% increase in wire count and higher power consumption due to the need for separate configuration wires for each fabric wire.
Innovation Solution
An active interconnection device with repeater circuits and storage circuits is provided, where configuration bits are transmitted through the same wires used for data and clock signals during configuration mode, and stored for configuring the repeater circuits to drive signals in either direction during transmission mode, reducing the number of wires needed for configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate configuration wires are used for each fabric wire to set repeater direction during software compile time, then the direction of wires can be configured effectively, but the wire count increases by 100% and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the configuration wire function with the data wire function by using the same physical wire to carry both configuration bits during configuration mode and data signals during normal operation mode. This eliminates the need for separate configuration wires, reducing wire count by 50% while maintaining full direction configuration capability through mode-multiplexed signal transmission.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate configuration wires are used for each fabric wire, then the direction of wires can be configured effectively, but power consumption increases due to transmitting configuration bits through extra wires
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines configuration and data transmission functions into a single wire, eliminating the power consumption associated with dedicated configuration wires. Configuration bits are transmitted during configuration mode when no data transmission occurs, and the same wire carries data during normal operation, thereby halving the total power consumption for wire transmission while preserving direction control capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate configuration wires are used for each fabric wire, then the direction of wires can be configured effectively, but the circuit area increases due to lower effective wire density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges configuration and data wires into a single shared infrastructure, effectively doubling the wire density for a given physical area. By using mode-multiplexed transmission where the same wire serves dual purposes (configuration and data), the effective wire density increases, reducing the required circuit area by approximately 50% while maintaining full direction configuration capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
An active interconnection device has a repeater circuit that includes a storage circuit. The storage circuit is coupled to store a configuration bit for configuring the repeater circuit to transmit a signal between a first integrated circuit die and a second integrated circuit die. The storage circuit is coupled to receive the configuration bit through a conductor during a configuration mode. A buffer circuit in the repeater circuit is configurable to transmit the signal through the conductor during a transmission mode in response to the configuration bit.