Binary adding apparatus

Abstract: A binary adding apparatus adds together a plurality of multi-bit input words (A0-A7, B0-B7) to produce a multi-bit output word (E0-E7). The apparatus comprises a clock signal generator (CK) and a plurality of adders (FA0-FA7) each connected to receive bits of equal significance of the input words and all having substantially the same propagation delay, the adders being interconnected in cascaded groups (e.g. FA0, FA1), in the order of significance of the bits of the input words, and the number of adders in each group being such that the total propagation delay through each group is less than the clock period. A first set of latches (LA1/1-LA1/12) is connected to outputs of the adders (FA0-FA7), the set comprising respective latches (e.g. LA1/1) each connected to receive a sum bit of respective significance and respective latches (e.g. LA1/3) each connected to receive a carry-out bit from a respective one of said groups. An output set of latches (LA3/1-LA3/9) receives the bits of the output word (E0-E7). The latches of the first and output sets (LA1/1-LA1/12 and LA3/1-LA3/9) are controlled by the clock generator (CK) whereby all the latches output simultaneously, once per clock period, the bits supplied thereto. A processing assembly is connected between the first set of latches (LA1/1-LA1/12) and the output set of latches (LA3/1-LA3/9) and is operative to combine, during at least one clock period, the bits outputted by the first set of latches to produce the bits of the output word, the processing assembly comprising a plurality of logic units (L1-L14) each having a propagation delay which is less than the clock period, and each being operative to carry out one of a plurality of predetermined logic functions (F1-F5).

Description: This invention relates to binary adding apparatus for adding together a plurality of multi-bit input words to produce a multi-bit output word. Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings shows how such an apparatus may be constructed. In the case of Figure 1 it is assumed that, for example, two 8-bit input words are to be added, one of the words comprising bits A0 to A7 (in ascending order of significance) and the other of the words comprising bits B0 to B7 (in ascending order of significance). The apparatus comprises eight single-bit full adders FA each having inputs A and B, a carry-in input CI, a sum output Q and a carry-out output CO. The bits A0 to A7 and B0 to B7 of the input words are applied to the inputs A and B of the full adders FA as shown. The carry-in input CI of the full adder FA of least significance is connected to ground (GND). The full adders FA are connected in cascade. That is to say, the carry out output CO of each full adder FA (except, of course, for that of most significance) is connected to the carry-in input CI of the full adder of next highest significance. As will be evident, the result is that the full adders FA add the input words to produce an output word comprising eight bits E0 to E8, in ascending order of significance, together with a carry bit. As shown, the bits E0 to E8 are produced at the sum output terminals Q of the full adders FA, in ascending order of significance, with the carry bit being produced at the carry-out output CO of the full adder of most significance. Due to the cascaded manner of connection of the full adders FA of the apparatus of Figure 1, the time taken for the output word to be generated is the sum of the propagation delays of all eight full adders. This is because each full adder FA can only begin to operate when it receives a carry-out bit from the carry-out output CO of the full adder of immediately lower significance. That is, the output word is not generated until after the carry-out bits have propagated through from the least significant bit (LSB) to the most significant bit (MSB). The above-described speed limitation may be overcome, at the cost of introducing considerable extra hardware into the apparatus, by using so-called pipelining architecture. According to this technique, the full adders are interconnected in cascaded groups, the number of full adders in each group being such that the total propagation delay through each group is less than a predetermined period. The groups are separated by sets of latches which are controlled by a clock generator, which produces a clock signal whose period is the above-mentioned predetermined period, whereby all the latches output simultaneously, once per clock period (i.e. on receipt of each clock pulse of the clock signal), the bits supplied thereto. Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings shows such a pipelined adding apparatus might be constructed. The apparatus of Figure 2, like that of Figure 1, adds two 8-bit input words comprising bits A0 to A7 and B0 to B7, respectively, to produce an output word comprising bits E0 to E7 (and a carry bit). The apparatus of Figure 2 comprises eight single-bit full adders FA like those of Figure 1. Additionally, the apparatus of Figure 2 comprises 48 latches LA which effect the pipelining and afford temporal pre-equalising and post-equalising of the bits to ensure that the bits E0 to E7 (and the carry bit) of the output word have the same timing. The latches LA are arranged in first to fourth sets (each set comprising those latches shown mutually vertically aligned in Figure 2) with an addition stage comprising a respective one of first to fourth groups of two cascaded full adders FA preceding each set. A clock generator CK is connected to all of the latches LA to supply thereto a clock signal comprising clock pulses spaced by a clock period which is greater than the sum of the propagation delays of the groups of cascaded full adders FA. The apparatus of Figure 2 functions as follows. Upon generation of a first clock pulse by the clock generator CK, the bits A0 to A7 and B0 to B7 of the input words are supplied to the apparatus as shown. The bits A2 to A7 and B2 to B7 go to pre-equalising latches of the first set of latches LA. The bits A0, A1, B0 and B1 go to the inputs A and B of the first cascaded group of full adders FA. The total propagation delay through the first cascaded group of full adders FA is twice the propagation delay through one full adder, the propagation delay through all of the full adders being substantially the same. This total propagation delay is less than the clock period. Accordingly, prior to generation of the next clock pulse, the sum output bit and carry-out bit provided by the outputs Q and CO, respectively, of the full adder receiving the input bits A1 and B1, and the sum output bit of the full adder receiving the input bits A0 to B0, have been latched into associated latches of the first set of the latches LA. When the next clock pulse is generated, the bits stored in the latches LA of the first set are outputted and, during the following clock period, the input bits A2, B2, A3 and B3 (and the carry-out bit from the preceding stage) are added in the second group of two cascaded full adders. This process is then repeated twice more whereby, after a total of four clock periods or cycles, an output word is developed at the output of the fourth set of latches LA. The pre-equalising latches (those preceding the full adders) and the post-equalising latches (those following the full adders) ensure that the bits of the output words as outputted from the fourth set of latches have the same timing, in which regard it should be appreciated that bits of successive pairs of input words may be inputted during each successive clock cycle whereby an output word may be produced during each clock cycle. The apparatus of Figure 2 is subject to the following disadvantages. Firstly, it involves the use of a large number of latches. In this regard, the pre-equalising latches are used very inefficiently because two latches are needed for each of the bits at each pipelining stage. For example, the bits A7 and B7 require the use of six equalising latches before they are added together. Secondly, it involves a long delay (four clock periods or cycles) between input and output. While the number of latches and the delay might be reducible if it were possible to cascade more than two full adders between the sets of latches, the disadvantages will still remain. For any given number of cascaded adders in the successive stages, the above disadvantages tend to get worse if the number of bits of the input words is increased beyond eight. Further, the employment of a large number of latches involves a further disadvantage when the apparatus is embodied using one or more programmable gate arrays (PGAs), which are also known as programmable logic arrays. A PGA comprises a chip having an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs), one of which is shown schematically in Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings. Each CLB comprises a programmable logic or gate section (PLS) and a latch LA, and the CLBs (and the PLSs and latches thereof) can be connected together in any desired manner. In each CLB, it is possible to use only the PLS or only the latch LA. Alternatively, it is possible to use both the PLS and latch LA, the former feeding an output signal into the latter. The PLS can be programmed to perform any one of a variety of desired logical operations on up to (say) four input signals supplied thereto. (Alternatively, the PLS may be programmed to perform any two separate ones of a variety of desired logical operations on up to three input signals, provided that the input signals for the two operations are the same.) A PGA of the above-described type (referred to as a logic cell array) is available from Monolithic Memories of Santa Clara, California, USA, under the type numbers M2064/M2018. It is possible to embody the apparatus of Figure 2 in a PGA of the type mentioned above. Thus, the full adders FA can be implemented by appropriate programming of an appropriate number of PLSs. To maximise hardware use, at least some of the latches LA immediately following the full adders FA can be the latches of the same CLBs whose PLSs form the full adders. However, the bulk of the latches LA of Figure 2 would comprise the latches of individual CLBs whose PLSs would not be used. There would therefore be a very great wastage of available hardware. An article by Yung et al entitled "Recursive addition and its parameterisation in VLSI", appearing in IEE PROCESSING, Vol 133, Part G, No. 5, October 1986, discusses the addition of multi-bit words. It suggests how multi-bit operands may be decomposed into equal multi-bit halves (or thirds) which may then be added by cascaded adders (Figs. 4 and 5). (The possibility of further decomposition to enable 1-bit addition without a carry is mentioned.) It also indicates (Fig. 6) how an N-bit operand and a 1-bit operand may be added by an arrangement comprising, in cascade, a pipeline register, a group of 2-input AND gates, another pipeline register, a group of half-adders, and another pipeline register. The present invention provides a binary adding apparatus as set forth in claim 1 hereof. A preferred embodiment of the invention described in detail below enables alleviation of the above disadvantages. Firstly, it can reduce the number of latches to less than that employed in the apparatus described with reference to Figure 2. Secondly, it can reduce the delay between input and output to less than that experienced in the case of the apparatus described with reference to Figure 2. Further, the design of the preferred apparatus lends itself to more efficient hardware usage (as compared to the apparatus described with reference to Figure 2) when implemented using one or more programmable gate arrays (PGAs) in that the logic units can be implemented in the programmable logic sections (PLSs) of the configurable logic blocks (CLBs). The invention will now be further described, by way of illustrative and nonlimiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference signs indicate like items throughout, and in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram of a binary adding apparatus for adding together two 8-bit input words, the apparatus comprising eight single-bit full adders connected in cascade; Figure 2 is a block diagram of a pipelined binary adding apparatus for adding together two 8-bit words, the apparatus comprising four groups of two cascade-connected single-bit full adders each followed by a respective set of latches; Figure 3 is a block diagram of one configurable logic block (CLB) chip; of an array thereof formed on a programmable gate array (PGA) chip; Figure 4 is a block diagram of a pipelined binary adding apparatus embodying the invention for adding together two 8-bit words; and Figure 5 is a block diagram of a pipelined binary adding apparatus embodying the invention for adding together two 4-bit words. Figure 4 shows a pipelined binary adding apparatus embodying the invention for adding together two 8-bit words. The apparatus of Figure 4 is in some respects the same as that of Figure 2 and will be described only in so far as it differs therefrom. Items in Figure 4 designated by the same reference signs as in Figure 2 are, unless otherwise indicated, the same items and their description will not be repeated. In Figure 4, the eight single-bit full adders FA0 to FA7 are all arranged at the front end of the apparatus. That is, the bits A0 to A7 and B0 to B7 of the input words are supplied directly and simultaneously to the inputs A and B of the full adders FA0 to FA7, respectively. No pre-equalising latches are needed. As a result, the input bits A0 to A7 and B0 to B7 are, in contrast to Figure 2, added together (in pairs) at once, at the front and, and the results are carried through the apparatus of Figure 4 and processed as described in detail below until the bits E0 to E7 (and a carry bit) of the output word are produced. The full adders FA0 to FA7 are interconnected in cascaded groups FA0/FA1, FA2/FA3, FA4/FA5 and FA6/FA7 of two, in the order of significance of the bits of the input words. (In this regard, the significance of the bits is designated below by S0 to S8, where S0 to S7 correspond to the significance of the bits A0/B0 to A7/B7, respectively, and S8 is the significance of a carry-out bit produced from the most significant input bits, namely the bits A7 and B7). As in Figure 2, the total propagation delay through each of the cascaded groups of two full adders (which delay is the sum of two unit full adder delays) is less than the clock period. A first set of latches LA1/1 to LA1/12 is connected to outputs of the full adders LA0 to LA7. The first set comprises eight latches (the latches LA1/1, LA1/2, LA1/4, LA1/5, LA1/7, LA1/8, LA1/10 and LA1/11) connected to the sum outputs Q of the full adders FA0 to FA7 to receive sum bits C1, C2, C4, C5, C7, C8, C10 and C11 of respective significance S0 to S7, respectively, and four latches (the latches LA1/3, LA1/6, LA1/9 and LA1/12) connected to the carry-out outputs C0 of the full adders FA1, FA3, FA5 and FA7 of higher significance in the four cascaded groups to receive carry-out (look forward carry) bits C3, C6, C9 and C12 from the respective cascaded groups. The outputs bits C1 to C12 of the first set of latches LA1/1 to LA1/12 are passed to a stage comprising logic units L1 to L9, connected as shown, which results in the production of bits D1 to D10 which are passed to an intermediate set of latches LA2/1 to LA2/10. The outputs bits D1 to D10 of the intermediate set of latches LA2/1 to LA2/10 are passed to a stage comprising logic units L10 to L14, which results in the production of the bits E0 to E7 (and the carry bit) of the output word, which are passed to an output set of latches LA3/1 to LA3/9. As in Figure 2, all of the latches in Figure 4 are controlled by the clock generator CK whereby all the latches output simultaneously, once per clock period (i.e. on receipt of each clock pulse) the bits supplied thereto. It can be seen from Figure 4 that, in each stage, some of the logic units are cascaded. This leads to the generation in the first stage of bits C13 and C14 (by the logic units L3 and L8, respectively) which are used internally of the first stage in that the bit C13 is passed to the logic units L4 and L5 (which are cascaded with the logic unit L3) and the bit C14 is passed to the logic unit L9 (which is cascaded with the logic unit L8); and to the generation in the second stage of a bit D11 which is used internally of the second stage in that it is passed to the logic units L13 and L14 (which are cascaded with the logic unit L12). In view of the fact that, as just explained, some cascading of two logic units is effected in each of the stages, the total propagation delay through each such cascaded pair of logic units should be less than the clock period. This requirement will be satisfied if the propagation delays of all of the logic units L1 to L14 are no greater than that of each of the full adders A0 to A7. This is in fact achieved in the apparatus of Figure in in that (i) each of the logic units L1 to L14 either performs the operation of a half adder, or an operation no more prone to delay than that of a full adder, and (ii) each of the logic units L1 to L14 has a number of inputs no greater than that of the full adders. Using the convention that the symbol ⊕ represents the logical exclusive-OR operator, the symbol . represents the logical AND operator and the symbol + represents the logical OR operator, the logic functions performed by the logic units L1 to L14 can be defined by the following Boolean equations: L1 D3 = C3 ⊕ C4 L2 D4 = C5 ⊕ (C3.C4) L3 C13 = C3.C4.C5 L4 D5 = (C6 ⊕ C7 ⊕ C13) + (C6.C7.C13) L5 D6 = C6.C7 + C6.C13 + C7.C13 L6 D8 = C9 ⊕ C10 L7 D9 = C11 ⊕ (C9.C10) L8 C14 = C9.C10.C11 L9 D10 = C12 ⊕ C14 L10 E5 = D6 ⊕ D7 L11 E6 = D8 ⊕ (D7.D6) L12 D11 = D6.D7.D8 L13 E7 = D9 ⊕ D11 L14 Carry = D10 ⊕ (D9.D11) The above logic functions, and the fact that they each comprise one of five individual functions F1 to F5, are explained below. Considering the bits outputted by the latches LA1/1 to LA1/12 of the first set thereof in turn, the bits C1 and C2 are the two least significant bits (significance S0 and S1, respectively) E0 and E1 of the output word and need only be post-equalised (by the latches LA2/1 and LA3/1). Thus, the bits C1 and C2 are not subjected to processing in either the first stage of logic units L1 to L9 or the second stage of logic units L10 to L14. The logic unit L1 performs a single bit addition of the bits C3 and C4, which are of the same significance (S2). This is because the bit C4 results from addition of the input bits A2 and B2 of significance S2 and the bit C3 is the carry-out bit resulting from addition of the input bits A1 and B1 of significance S1. As indicated above, the operation or logic function performed by the logic unit L1 is defined by the Boolean equation D3 = C3 ⊕ C4. That is, the logic unit L1 acts as a half adder. The logic units L6, L9, L10 and L13 perform the same logic function (though on different bits) as the logic unit L1. This function, hereinafter referred to as the function F1, can be expressed in general terms by the Boolean equation 0 = I1 ⊕ I2, where 0 is the value of the output bit and I1 and I2 are the values of the respective input bits (which both have the same significance). The logic unit L2 compares the bits C3 and C4 (each of significance S2) with the bit C5 (of significance S3) to see if there is a carry bit to add to the bit C5. That is, the logic unit L2 acts as an add and carry circuit, performing a one bit add with the look ahead carry bit of the previous stage. This logic function is defined, as indicated above, by the Boolean equation D4 = C5 ⊕ (C3 . C4). The logic units L7, L11 and L14 perform the same logic function (though on different bits) as the logic unit L2. This function, hereinafter referred to as the function F2, can be expressed in general terms by the Boolean equation 0 = I1 ⊕ (I2 . I3), where 0 is the value of the output bit and I1, I2 and I3 are the values of the respective input bits, I2 and I3 being of one bit less significance than I1. The logic unit L3 performs a look ahead carry operation for the next stage. It determines from the bits C3 and C4 (both of significance S2) and the bit C5 (of significance S3) whether there is a carry bit (C13) for the next stage (of significance S4). As indicated above, the logic function performed by the logic unit L3 is defined by the Boolean equation C13 = C3 . C4 . C5. The logic units L8 and L12 perform the same logic function F3 as the logic unit L3. This function, hereinafter referred to as the function F3, can be expressed in general terms by the Boolean equation 0 = I1 . I2 . I3, where 0 is the value of the output bit and I1, I2 and I3 are the values of the respective input bits, I1 and I2 both being of one bit less significance than I3. Each of the logic units L4 and L5 receives the same three bits, namely the bits C13, C6 and C7, all of which are of the same significance, namely S4. The logic unit L4 does a sum operation on these bits to produce a sum bit D5 of significance S4, and the logic unit L5 does a carry operation on these bits to produce a carry bit D6 of significance S5 for the next stage. As indicated above, timing restrictions (inability to cascade further within one clock period) dictate that another stage is needed. The logic functions F4 and F5 performed by the logic units L4 and L5 are unique to these blocks (for the particular form of apparatus shown in Figure 4) and are defined by the Boolean equations for D5 and D6 given above. It is to be noted that the first stage of logic units, namely that constituted by the logic units L1 to L9, does not include a logic unit for processing the bit C8. The bit C8 is passed directly to the latch LA2/7 to form a bit D7, which is of course the same as the bit C8. The logic units L6 to L9 for processing the bits C9 to C12 perform, as mentioned before, the functions F1, F2, F3 and F1, respectively. It will thus be seen that, as far up as the bit C11, starting with the bit C3, the order of the functions performed by the logic units, in ascending order of significance, follows the sequence F1, F2, F3, F4, F5 and "none". Above the bit C11, however, the sequence breaks down in that the next function is F1 rather than F4. This irregularity is, however, due only to the fact that the sequence ends at this point. If the structure of Figure 4 were extended upwardly to an indefinite extent, i.e. if the number of bits in the input words were increased by an indefinite extent, it would be found that the above sequence (F1, F2, F3, F4, F5 and "none") would repeat itself indefinitely and would break down only towards the end. Similarly, if the number of bits of the input words were reduced, for example decreased to four as shown in Figure 5, the sequence would break down earlier. Thus, in Figure 5, the sequence breaks down after F3 (in the logic unit L3), the unit L4 in this case performing the logic function F1. In the second stage of logic units, namely that constituted by the logic units L10 to L14 (which stage is the third pipelining stage), the logic functions performed by the respective units each correspond to one of the functions performed in the first stage of logic units, more specifically to one of the functions F1 to F3. This stage sorts out the bits D6 to D10 and adds, with a carry, the bits of equal significance. That is, the stage as a whole performs the binary addition: [D10, D9, D8, D7] + [0, 0, 0, D6] which is a one bit add to a 4-bit number, the bits D10, D9, D8, D7 and D6 being of significance S8, S7, S6, S5 and S5, respectively. It can be seen from a comparison of Figures 2 and 4 that the apparatus of Figure 4 enables the number of latches to be significantly reduced by a more efficient use of equalising latches. Specifically, the number of latches is reduced from 48 to 31. This is at the cost of more logic being provided. However, the logic is simple and easy to implement. Moreover, if the apparatus of Figure 4 is implemented using programmable gate arrays (PGAs), there need be little or no extra hardware cost. In this regard, as explained above, the approach of Figure 2 involves much redundant hardware in that the programmable logic sections (PLSs) of most of the configurable logic blocks (CLBs) are not used. With the apparatus of Figure 4, since none of the logic units L1 to L14 needs more than three inputs, all of them can be programmed in the PLSs, thereby allowing the CLBs to be used more efficiently. Moreover, recalling that (as explained above) two logic functions can be programmed into a single PLS if they each require no more than three inputs and if those three inputs are the same for the two logic functions, it is possible for some pairs of the logic units, specifically the pairs L1/L2 (or L2/L3), L4/L5, L6/L7 (or L7/L8), L10/L11 (or L11/L12) and L13/L14, each to be programmed into the same PLS. It should be noted that, if more than two logic stages can be cascaded between sets of latches and/or if logic units having more than three inputs can be used, a greater saving in the number of pipeline stages and the number of latches may be achievable. Also, the greater the number of bits in the input words, the more efficient the design. This might be the case if use were made of a PGA having larger PLSs such that each pair of cascaded single-bit full adders could be implemented as a two-bit full adder in a single PLS and more complex logic functions (requiring more than three inputs) could be performed by the logic units. The apparatus of Figure 4 (or that of Figure 5) could be modified by replacing the full adders FA0 to FA7 (or FA0 to FA3) by adding components other than full adders. Any adder that can add plural bits or any logic that can perform such an adding function can be employed.

Claims: A binary adding apparatus for adding together a plurality of multi-bit input words to produce a multi-bit output word, the apparatus comprising: a clock generator (CK) for producing a clock signal having a clock period; a plurality of adders (FA0-FA7) each connected to receive bits of equal significance of the input words and all having substantially the same propagation delay, the adders being interconnected in cascaded groups (e.g. FA0 and FA1), in the order of significance of the bits of the input words, and the number of adders in each group being such that the total propagation delay through each group is less than the clock period; a first set of latches (LA1/1-LA1/12) connected to outputs of the adders (FA0-FA7), the set comprising respective latches (e.g. LA1/1) each connected to receive a sum bit of respective significance and respective latches (e.g. LA1/3) each connected to receive a carry-out bit from a respective one of said groups; an output set of latches (LA3/1-LA3/9) for receiving the bits of the output word; the latches (LA1/1-LA1/12, LA3/1-LA3/9) of the first and output sets being controlled by the clock generator (CK) whereby all the latches output simultaneously, once per clock period, the bits supplied thereto; and a processing assembly (L1-L14,LA2/1-LA2/10) connected between the first set of latches (LA1/1-LA1/12) and the output set of latches (LA3/1-LA3/9) and operative to combine, during at least one clock period, the bits outputted by the first set of latches to produce the bits of the output word, the processing assembly comprising a plurality of logic units (L1-L14) each having a propagation delay which is less than the clock period, and each being operative to carry out one of a plurality of predetermined logic functions (F1-F5); a first (F1) of said logic functions being defined by the Boolean equation O = I1 ⊕ I2, where O represents the value of an output bit, I1 represents the value of a first input bit, the symbol ⊕ represents the logical exclusive-OR operator, and 12 represents the value of a second input bit, the or each logic unit (L1, L6, L9, L10, L13) operative to perform said first logic function (F1) being so connected that the first and second input bits have the same significance; a second (F2) of said logic functions being represented by the Boolean equation O = I1 ⊕ (I2 . I3), where O represents the value of an output bit, I1 represents the value of a first input bit, the symbol ⊕ represents the logical exclusive-OR operator, I2 represents the value of a second input bit, the symbol . represents the logical AND operator, and I3 represents the value of a third input bit, the or each logic unit (L2, L7, L11, L14) operative to perform said second logic function (F2) being so connected that the second and third input bits are each of one bit less significance than the first input bit; a third (F3) of said logic functions being represented by the Boolean equation O = I1 . I2 . 13 werein O represents the value of an output bit, the symbol . represents the logical AND operator and I1, I2 and I3 represent the values of first, second and third input bits, respectively, the or each logic unit (L3, L8, L12) operative to perform said third logic function (F3) being so connected that the first and second input bits are each of one bit less significance than the third input bit; the logic units (L1-L14) being arranged in at least one stage which comprises first to third logic units (e.g. L1-L3) for carrying out said first, second and third logic functions (F1-F3), respectively, on three input bits (e.g. C3-C5) to the stage, of which the first and second bits (C3, C4) are of the same significance and the third bit (C5) is of one bit more significance than the first and second bits; and the first logic unit (L1) receiving said first and second stage input bits (C3, C4) as its first and second input bits, the second logic unit (L2) receiving the third stage input bit (C5) as its first input bit and the first and second stage input bits (C3, C4) as its second and third input bits, and the third logic unit (L3) receiving the first to third stage input bits (C3-C5) as its first to third input bits. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a said logic unit (L1, L6) operative to perform said first logic function (F1) is connected to: one of said first set of latches (LA1/1-LA1/12) such that the first input bit to said logic unit (L1, L6) is a sum bit (C4, C10) of lesser or least significance derived from a said group of the adders (FA0-FA7); and another one of said first set of latches such that the second input bit to said logic unit (L1, L6) is a carry-out bit (C3, C9) derived from that said group of the adders disposed immediately below, in said order of significance, said group from which said sum bit (C4, C10) was derived. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a said logic unit (L2, L7) operative to perform said second logic function (F2) is connected to: two of said first set of latches (LA1/1-LA1/12) such that the first and second input bits to said logic unit (L2, L7) are sum bits (C5/C4, C11/C10) of different significance derived from a said group of the adders (FA0-FA7); and another one of said first set of latches such that the third input bit to said logic unit (L2, L7) is a carry-out bit (C3/C9) from that said group of the adders disposed immediately below, in said order of significance, said group from which said sum bits (C5/C4, C11/C10) were derived. Apparatus according to claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, wherein a said logic unit (L3, L8) operative to perform said third logic function (F3) is connected to: two of said first set of latches (LA1/1-LA1/12) such that the first and second input bits to said logic unit (L3, L8) are sum bits (C5/C4, C11/C10) of different significance derived from a said group of the adders (FA0-FA7); and another one of said first set of latches such that the third input bit to said logic unit (L3, L8) is a carry-out bit (C3/C9) from that said group of the adders disposed immediately below, in said order of significance, said group from which said sum bits (C5/C4, C11/C10) were derived. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said logic units (L1-L14) are arranged in plural stages (L1-L9, L10-L14) separated by at least one further set of latches (LA2/1-LA2/10) controlled by the clock generator (CK). Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each of the stages (L1-L9, L10-L14) comprises logic units operative to carry out said first, second and third predetermined logic functions (F1-F3). Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein some of the logic units (L1-L14) in a said stage are connected in at least one cascaded group (e.g. L3 and L4), the number of logic units in the or each group thereof being such that the total propagation delay through each group is less than the clock period. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein each logic unit (L1-L14) has a propagation delay no greater than that of the adders (FA0-FA7) and the number of logic units in the or each cascaded group thereof (e.g. L3 and L4) is no greater than the number of adders in each cascaded group (e.g. FA0 and FA1) thereof. Apparatus according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein one of said logic units in a said cascaded group comprises said third logic unit (L3) for carrying out said third logic function (F3), and another of said logic units in that group comprises a fourth logic unit (L4) for carrying out said first logic function (F1), said fourth logic unit (L4) receiving an output bit (C13) of said third logic unit (L3) and a fourth input bit (C6) to that stage as its first and second input bits. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the adders, the latches and the logic units are constituted by at least one programmable logic array. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the at least one programmable logic array comprises a plurality of configurable logic blocks (CLB) each having a latch (LA) and a programmable logic section (PLS), said sets of latches being latches of the configurable logic blocks and said adders and logic units being programmed logic sections. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein at least two of the logic units (e.g. L2 and L3) require common inputs and are both formed by the same programmed logic section (PLS). Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the adders (FA0-FA7) are full adders. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the full adders (FA0-FA7) are single-bit full adders each having a sum bit output (Q) and said first set of latches (LA1/1-LA1/12) includes a respective latch connected to the sum bit output of each of the adders.

Inventors: VIRTUE PETER JOHN, VIRTUE, PETER JOHN
Applicants: SONY CORP, SONY CORPORATION
Application year: 1990
Main classification: G06F7
IPC codes: G06F7