SoC Fuse Circuit Dynamic Reconfiguration for Resource Utilization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional system-on-chip (SoC) fuse circuits have a fixed configuration that results in underutilization of control fuses, leading to inefficient use of resources and increased size and manufacturing costs due to the need for additional fuse circuits to meet functional requirements.
Innovation Solution
The SoC incorporates a fuse circuit with multiple sets of fuses, including control fuses used as functional fuses, and decoding circuitry that retrieves override data to dynamically configure and utilize fuses for both control and functional operations, optimizing the number of fuses available for functional operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If control fuses are reserved for control operations only, then control operations can be performed reliably, but fuse circuit utilization degrades and additional fuse circuits are needed for functional operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes control fuses serve dual purposes: they remain available for control operations (memory repair) while also being usable as functional fuses when not needed for control operations. The decoding circuitry dynamically determines whether to use control fuses for their original control function or repurpose them for functional operations based on runtime conditions, thereby achieving multi-functionality and improving overall fuse circuit utilization.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed number of functional fuses are reserved, then functional operations can be supported, but the SoC size and manufacturing cost increase due to additional fuse circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for separate dedicated functional fuse circuits by enabling control fuses to serve both control and functional purposes. The same physical fuse resources are dynamically allocated to different functions based on runtime needs, reducing overall device complexity and manufacturing cost while maintaining full support for functional operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic configuration where the role of control fuses (control operation vs. functional operation) is not fixed but can be changed at runtime based on system needs. The decoding circuitry receives configuration data that determines whether control fuses should be used for their original control function or repurposed for functional operations, enabling adaptive resource allocation.
3Reliability
If control fuses are utilized for memory repair operations, then memory defects can be repaired, but the number of available control fuses exceeds the actual number of defects, leading to underutilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers unused control fuse resources after they have served their control operation purpose. When control fuses are not needed for memory repair operations (because the number of defects is less than the number of reserved control fuses), they are recovered and made available for functional operations through dynamic reconfiguration, thereby eliminating waste and improving overall resource utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
A system-on-chip (SoC) includes a fuse circuit and decoding circuitry. The fuse circuit includes functional fuses, control fuses utilized as the functional fuses, and fuses configured to store override data that indicates an association between the functional fuses and the control fuses utilized as the functional fuses. The decoding circuitry is configured to output configuration data associated with a configuration of the fuse circuit based on the override data and an initial configuration of the fuse circuit. In such a scenario, functional operations of the SoC are executed based on the configuration data. Alternatively, the decoding circuitry is configured to output a set of functional data based on the override data and various functional data stored in the functional fuses and the control fuses utilized as the functional fuses. In such a scenario, the functional operations are executed based on the outputted set of functional data.