Routing Circuit for Microcontroller Pin Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microcontroller chips often face pin shortages due to multiple interfaces, and Multi-Chip Packages (MCPs) face limitations in routing signals to specific positions, failing to meet application-specific needs.
Innovation Solution
A routing circuit with sequencers and a processing circuit that reconfigures signal channel arrangements and routes them to signal terminals in groups based on control signals, using distributors and masks to optimize pin usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple interfaces are configured on a chip to meet various application needs, then the functionality and versatility of the chip are improved, but the number of pins required exceeds the available pins on the chip
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling each pin to serve multiple interface functions through the routing circuit. The routing circuit dynamically configures signal channels to connect different integrated circuits to different pins based on application requirements, allowing a single pin to participate in multiple interface functions (e.g., I2C, SPI, UART) at different times or under different configurations, thereby reducing the total pin count needed while maintaining comprehensive interface capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The routing circuit introduces dynamic reconfiguration capability that allows the signal path topology to change based on operational needs. The circuit can adaptively route signal channels between integrated circuits and pins in real-time, enabling the same physical pin to be dynamically assigned to different logical functions and interfaces, thus resolving the static pin allocation limitation.
2Ease of manufacture
If fixed routing is used in Multi-Chip Packages to maintain predetermined chip positions and arrangements, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the ability to meet application-specific routing needs is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The routing circuit provides dynamic reconfiguration capability that allows the signal path topology to change based on operational needs. The circuit can adaptively route signal channels between integrated circuits and pins in real-time, enabling the same physical pin to be dynamically assigned to different logical functions and interfaces, thus resolving the static pin allocation limitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The routing circuit is divided into multiple independent routing units, each capable of independently configuring signal paths for different integrated circuits. This segmentation allows flexible combination and permutation of routing paths, enabling application-specific configurations while maintaining a standardized manufacturing process for the overall package structure.
3Reliability
If priority-based routing is implemented for multiple interfaces, then routing conflicts are resolved, but the flexibility to meet specific application requirements is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The routing circuit introduces dynamic reconfiguration capability that allows the signal path topology to change based on operational needs. The circuit can adaptively route signal channels between integrated circuits and pins in real-time, enabling the same physical pin to be dynamically assigned to different logical functions and interfaces, thus resolving the static pin allocation limitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The routing circuit incorporates control logic that can respond to operational conditions and configure routing paths accordingly. By monitoring interface usage and signal requirements, the circuit dynamically adjusts routing assignments to resolve conflicts while adapting to specific application needs, rather than relying on fixed priority schemes.
Data Source
AI summary
A routing circuit and a circuit having the routing circuit are provided. The circuit includes a plurality of integrated circuits (ICs), a plurality of signal terminals and the routing circuit. Each of the ICs has a plurality of signal channels. The routing circuit is coupled between the ICs and the signal terminals to route the signal channels to the signal terminals. The routing circuit has a plurality of sequencers and a processing circuit. Each of the sequencers is configured to reconfigure an arrangement sequence of the signal channels of a corresponding one of the ICs. The processing circuit is coupled to the sequencers and has a first distributor. The first distributor routes the signal channels to the signal terminals in a group manner based on the arrangement sequences of the signal channels reconfigured by the sequencers according to a control signal.