Token-Enhanced Asynchronous Circuit Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Converting synchronous circuit designs to asynchronous designs is challenging, particularly in ensuring sufficient tokenization to maximize throughput in asynchronous circuit pipelines, as existing methods do not effectively address the underutilization of asynchronous circuit elements.
Innovation Solution
The method involves converting synchronous circuit logic to asynchronous logic and inserting additional tokens into the asynchronous circuit, either by initializing the circuit with a desired number of tokens or inserting them at the input before removing them from the output, thereby enhancing the number of tokens in flight and improving pipeline utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If synchronous circuit logic is converted to asynchronous circuit logic, then the circuit can operate more efficiently without clock management and skew issues, but the throughput is limited by insufficient tokenization causing underutilization of asynchronous circuit elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-initializing the asynchronous circuit with a specific number of tokens before operation begins. This ensures that tokens are already distributed throughout the circuit pipeline, allowing multiple asynchronous elements to be immediately utilized without waiting for tokens to propagate naturally, thus resolving the throughput limitation caused by insufficient tokenization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of token quantity in the asynchronous circuit by calculating and inserting an optimized number of tokens based on the circuit's depth and structure. This parameter change transforms the circuit from a state of underutilization to optimal utilization, enabling higher throughput while maintaining the reliability benefits of asynchronous operation
2Productivity
If additional tokens are inserted into the asynchronous circuit to improve throughput, then pipeline utilization increases and processing speed improves, but the circuit complexity increases due to token management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by implementing automatic token management where the system itself calculates and distributes the appropriate number of tokens without external intervention. The token management is embedded within the conversion process, allowing the circuit to self-optimize its throughput without adding complex external control mechanisms, thus improving pipeline utilization while minimizing the increase in overall system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A synchronous circuit design is converted to an asynchronous circuit by converting synchronous circuit logic to an asynchronous circuit logic, and one or more additional tokens into the converted asynchronous circuit. The circuit is initialized with a desired additional number of tokens placed in the asynchronous circuit, or a desired number of tokens are inserted at an input before taking tokens from an output.