Variable-Capacitor Interconnect for Low-Latency On-Chip Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
As chip sizes and operating frequencies increase, on-chip global interconnects become a performance bottleneck due to increasing interconnect delays and power consumption, with existing solutions like buffer insertion leading to higher latency and power consumption, and timing uncertainties limiting bandwidth.
Innovation Solution
An interconnect system with a control signal line, data signal line, and variable capacitor, where the capacitance is controlled by the control signal to determine data signal velocity, utilizing LC mode and negative conductance devices like sense amplifiers or cross-coupled inverters to manage timing variations and reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If buffers are inserted into the interconnect to reduce delay, then interconnect delay is reduced, but power consumption increases linearly with total capacitance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the capacitance value adjustable through voltage control of the variable capacitor. The capacitance is dynamically changed based on the data pattern being transmitted, allowing the interconnect to optimize its electrical characteristics in real-time rather than using fixed buffer structures that consume power continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameters of the interconnect by using a variable capacitor whose capacitance value can be adjusted. This allows modification of the RC time constant and signal propagation characteristics without adding discrete buffer components, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining delay performance.
2Productivity
If the bandwidth of the interconnect is increased to improve system performance, then system performance improves, but timing variations due to skew and jitter increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms through control signal lines that monitor and adjust the capacitance values based on transmitted data patterns. This feedback allows the system to compensate for timing variations and maintain synchronized operation at higher bandwidths by dynamically adjusting the electrical characteristics of the interconnect.
3Reliability
If latches are inserted to control timing variation, then timing uncertainty is reduced, but latency increases and extra power is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent avoids using latches by instead changing the electrical parameters of the interconnect itself. By adjusting the capacitance of the variable capacitor, the system controls signal propagation timing directly through parameter modification rather than inserting discrete timing control elements that would add latency and power consumption.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces latency and power consumption while maintaining high throughput, being robust against noise and temperature variations, and effectively bounding timing uncertainty, thus improving system performance and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least one variable capacitor coupled to the at least one control signal line and the at least one data signal line, wherein the capacitance of the variable capacitor is configured to be controlled by a control signal
Data Source
AI summary
An interconnect for surfing circuits is presented. The interconnect includes at least one control signal line, at least one data signal line, and at least one variable capacitor coupled to the at least one control signal line and the at least one data signal line, wherein the capacitance of the variable capacitor is configured to be controlled by a control signal on the control signal line so that a velocity of a data signal transmitted on the at least one data signal line is determined by the value of the capacitance of the variable capacitor.