Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention can relate to integrated circuit (IC) devices. More particularly, this invention can relate to staggered logic array blocks (LABs) on IC devices. 
   IC devices are well-known in the art, and can include a plurality of general-purpose programmable logic elements that can be programmed to perform a wide variety of tasks. Using such programmable logic elements allows manufacturers of electronic circuitry to avoid the need to separately design and build individual logic circuits on each IC device. IC devices that use programmable logic elements can include, for example, programmable logic devices (PLDs) and structured application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). For simplicity, the discussion herein focuses chiefly on PLDs, but it will be understood that the principles of the present invention can also be applied to other types of IC devices. 
   The basic building block of a PLD is a logic element (LE) that is capable of performing limited logic functions on a number of input variables. Each LE in a PLD typically provides a combinational logic function such as a look-up table (LUT), and one or more flip-flops. To facilitate implementation of complex logic functions, LEs in a PLD are often arranged in groups, to form one or more LABs. For example, each LAB in a PLD may include eight LEs, and the LAB may be programmed to provide any one of a plurality of logic functions by using control bits. The LABs in a PLD, meanwhile, are often arranged in a one-dimensional or two-dimensional array, and are programmably connectable to each other using a PLD routing architecture. 
   The routing architecture of a PLD typically includes an array of signal conductors having programmable interconnections that are used to route data and output enable signals. For example, the routing architecture can include several horizontal and vertical conductor channels, where each of these channels can include, respectively, one or more horizontal or vertical signal conductors. In addition, the conductors in a given channel can span all of the LABs in a given row or column or, alternatively, can span only a subset of the LABs in the row or column (e.g., 4 LABs). These types of conductors are generally referred to herein as “segmented conductors,” and channels containing segmented conductors are referred to herein as “segmented channels.” 
   The horizontal and vertical channels of a PLD can allow the LABs of the PLD to communicate with each other. Communications between a given pair of LABs can require the use of only a single conductor channel (e.g., LABs in the same row or column can communicate using a single horizontal or vertical channel, respectively) or can require the use of multiple conductor channels (e.g., LABs that are laid out diagonally from each other might communicate using a horizontal channel in combination with a vertical channel). In addition, certain routing architectures can allow adjacent LABs to communicate with each other without the use of any conductor channel (e.g., because an output of one LAB can be selectably coupled to an input of an adjacent LAB). In general, the latency of communicating with another LAB using a single conductor channel (or without using any routing channels) tends to be lower than the latency of communicating with another LAB using multiple routing channels. 
   In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide an architecture that allows each LAB to communicate with a greater number of other LABs using only a single conductor channel. Additionally, it would be desirable to provide an architecture that allows each LAB to communicate with a greater number of other LABs without using any conductor channel. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with this invention, a staggered LAB architecture can be provided. In one embodiment of the invention, an IC device can include a first group of LABs substantially aligned with each other, and a second group of LABs substantially aligned with each other and coupled to the first group of LABs by a plurality of horizontal and vertical conductors. Each LAB in the first and second groups can include the same number of LEs (e.g., eight). The first group of LABs can be substantially offset from the second group of LABs by half the number of LEs in each LAB (e.g., four). The offsetting can be vertical or horizontal, depending on the design of the IC and its LABs. 
   In another embodiment of the invention, an IC device can include a first column of LABs, a second column of LABs, vertical conductors coupled to and arranged between the first and second columns of LABs, and horizontal conductors coupled to the first and second columns of LABs. A first at least one LAB in the first column of LABs can be vertically substantially offset from a second at least one LAB in the second column of LABs. Advantageously, a LAB of the first at least one LAB can be coupled to communicate with a greater number of LABs in the second at least one LAB, without using any of the plurality of vertical conductors, than if the first at least one LAB and the second at least one LAB were not vertically offset. For example, the vertical offsetting can allow the LAB to communicate with more blocks using only a single horizontal conductor, or no routing conductor at all, than if the LABs were not vertically offset. 
   In yet another embodiment of the invention, an IC device can include a first column of LABs, and a second column of LABs coupled to the first column of LABs by a plurality of horizontal and vertical conductors. The second column of LABs can be substantially offset vertically from the first column of LABs. In addition, the IC device can include an L-shaped input/output (I/O) interface coupled to the first and second columns of LABs. The L-shaped I/O interface can be substantially adjacent to at least one edge of the first column of LABs, at least one edge of the second column of LABs, and at least one edge of the IC device. 
   The invention advantageously provides an architecture that allows each LAB to communicate with a greater number of other LABs using only a single conductor channel. Additionally, the invention provides an architecture that allows each LAB to communicate with a greater number of other LABs without using any conductor channel. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a known LAB architecture; 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing several LABs laid out adjacent to each other; 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing an illustrative staggered LAB architecture in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing several LABs laid out adjacent to each other in a staggered LAB architecture in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram of an illustrative staggered LAB architecture with L-shaped I/O interfaces in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a data processing system incorporating the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a known LAB architecture  100 . LAB architecture  100  can include any suitable number of LABS, coupled to each other with vertical and horizontal routing channels. (As used herein, the term “coupled” should be understood to generically encompass both direct and indirect connections between two structures, including physical connection through intermediate mechanical modules, electrical modules, or any other suitable components or combinations thereof, as well as connections that occur via communication passing through electrical modules, wiring, air, or any other suitable medium or combination thereof.) In the example illustrated in  FIG. 1 , LAB architecture  100  can include at least twelve LABs, laid out in four columns  110 ,  120 ,  130 , and  140  and three rows  102 ,  104 , and  106 . 
   The LABs depicted in  FIG. 1  can communicate with each other using vertical channels  170 ,  172 , and  174 , along with horizontal half-channels  152 ,  154 ,  156 ,  158 ,  160 , and  162 . Each channel can include any suitable number of signal conductors, and the channels can be coupled to each other and to the appropriate LABs through programmable or otherwise selectable connections (e.g., using multiplexers, switches, or any other suitable circuitry). It will be noted that each horizontal channel is depicted as two half-channels for ease of comparison with  FIG. 3 , discussed later herein. Each horizontal and vertical channel can be a segmented horizontal or vertical channel, containing segmented conductors. For instance, each horizontal channel depicted in  FIG. 1  might allow a given LAB to communicate with four LABs on the left or the right of that LAB, and such a segmented horizontal channel might be referred to as an “H 4 ” channel. Similarly, each vertical channel depicted in  FIG. 1  might allow a given LAB to communicate with four LABs on the top or bottom of that LAB, and such a segmented vertical channel might be referred to as a “V 4 ” channel. 
   Assuming, for purposes of illustration, that the horizontal and vertical channels of LAB architecture  100  are H 4  and V 4  channels, respectively, and that LAB architecture  100  contains more LABs than the twelve depicted in  FIG. 1 , the number of channels, or “hops,” required to transmit a signal from one LAB to another can be analyzed. For example, a given LAB can communicate with four LABs on its left and four LABs on its right, or a total of eight LABs, using a single H 4  channel. On the other hand, a given LAB can communicate with eight LABs in the same column using a single V 4  channel, and can also communicate with eight LABs in each adjacent column using a single V 4  channel, yielding a total of twenty-four LABs reachable in a single vertical hop. This discrepancy in the number of LABs reachable with a single H 4  channel and a single V 4  channel is caused by the fact that vertical channels are laid out substantially between columns of LABs, while horizontal channels are laid out above rows of LABs, in LAB architecture  100  of  FIG. 1 . Further details about such a LAB architecture can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/140,287, filed May 6, 2002, entitled “ROUTING ARCHITECTURE FOR A PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC DEVICE,” now U.S. Pat. No. 6,630,842, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. In addition, LAB architecture  100  can be designed such that each LAB can communicate with the LAB immediately on its left and the LAB immediately on its right without using any H 4  or V 4  channels, because outputs of the LEs in each LAB can be coupled to drive input multiplexers of horizontally adjacent LABs. Such coupling is discussed in greater detail below in connection with  FIG. 2 . 
     FIG. 2 . is a block diagram showing several LABs  212 ,  214 ,  222 , and  224 , laid out adjacent to each other on the same IC device. As shown, each LAB can include a plurality of LEs and a secondary signal region, all coupled to each other using internal routing conductors or wires inside of the LAB (e.g., internal routing conductors or wires  231 ,  241 ,  251 , or  261 ). For instance, LAB  212  can include four LEs  232  and secondary signal region  234 . Each LE  232  can provide a combinational logic function such as a LUT, and one or more flip-flops. Secondary signal region  234  can provide any suitable signals to LEs  232  via internal signal conductors or wires  233 , including clock signals and control signals (e.g., enable signals, reset signals, and clear signals). LABs  214 ,  222 , and  224  can include components similar to those of LAB  212  and be laid out in a similar fashion. It will be noted that each LAB can include any suitable number of LEs and secondary signal regions. 
   As demonstrated by  FIG. 2 , LEs in different LABs can communicate with each other using appropriate signal conductors. For example, vertical channel  282  can allow an LE in any of LABs  212 ,  214 ,  222 , and  224  to communicate with an LE in any of those same LABs, as well as with other LABs in the same columns (for the length of vertical channel  284 , which may be a segmented channel) by appropriate operation of multiplexers, such as multiplexers  256  and  266 . (Although  FIG. 2  may suggest that LABs  212  and  214  can drive vertical channel  284 , while LABs  222  and  224  cannot, it should be noted that various connections and circuitry have been omitted from  FIG. 2  for clarity, and many routing architectures could allow LABs  222  and  224  to drive vertical channel  284 , which could in turn provide inputs to LABs  212  and  214 .) Similarly, horizontal conductors  272  can allow an LE in either of LABs  212  or  222  to communicate with the other LAB, as well as with other LABs in the same row (for the length of horizontal conductors  272 , which may be a segmented channel), by appropriate operation of multiplexers, such as multiplexers  256  and  266 . (Although  FIG. 2  may suggest that LAB  212  can drive horizontal conductors  272 , while LAB  222  cannot, it should be noted that various connections and circuitry have been omitted from  FIG. 2  for clarity, and many routing architectures could allow LAB  222  to drive horizontal conductors  272 , which could in turn provide inputs to LAB  212 .) 
   Additionally, LABs that are laid out in the same row can often communicate with the two LABs that are directly horizontally adjacent to it without using any horizontal or vertical routing channels. For example, an LE from LAB  212  could transmit signals to an LE in LAB  222 , and an LE from LAB  222  could transmit data to an LE in LAB  212 , both without using horizontal conductors  272 . Such signal transmission can be achieved because LE outputs of one LAB can often be coupled to LE inputs of another LAB through appropriate multiplexer circuitry (for simplicity of illustration, such connections are not shown in  FIG. 2 ). 
     FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing an illustrative staggered LAB architecture  300  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Staggered LAB architecture  300  can include any suitable number of LABs, coupled to each other with vertical and horizontal routing channels. In the example illustrated in  FIG. 3 , LAB architecture  300  can include at least ten LABs, laid out in four columns  310 ,  320 ,  330 , and  340 . In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, LABs  322  and  324  in column  320 , and LABs  342  and  344  in column  340 , can be substantially offset from the LABs in columns  310  and  330 , resulting in a substantially staggered LAB architecture. In one embodiment, the LABs in columns  320  and  340  can be vertically offset from the LABs in columns  310  and  330  by approximately half the height of each LAB. For example, assuming that each LAB in LAB architecture  300  contains four LEs, the LABs in columns  320  and  340  can be vertically offset from the LABs in columns  310  and  330  by the height of two LEs. It will be noted that the concepts of the invention can be used with LABs containing any suitable number of LEs and any suitable structure or layout. 
   As was the case with LAB architecture  100  of  FIG. 1 , the LABs depicted in  FIG. 3  can communicate with each other using vertical channels  370 ,  372 , and  374 , along with horizontal half-channels  352 ,  354 ,  356 ,  358 ,  360 , and  362 . Each channel can include any suitable number of signal conductors, and the channels can be coupled to each other and to the appropriate LABs through programmable or otherwise selectable connections (e.g., using multiplexers, switches, or any other suitable circuitry). It will be noted that each horizontal channel is depicted as two half-channels for ease of discussion. Each horizontal and vertical channel can be a segmented horizontal or vertical channel, containing segmented conductors. For instance, each horizontal channel depicted in  FIG. 3  might allow a given LAB to communicate with four LABs on the left or the right of that LAB, and such a segmented horizontal channel might be referred to as an “H 4 ” channel. Similarly, each vertical channel depicted in  FIG. 3  might allow a given LAB to communicate with four LABs on the top or bottom of that LAB, and such a segmented vertical channel might be referred to as a “V 4 ” channel. It will be noted that segmented horizontal and vertical channels of any appropriate length can be used with the invention. 
   In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the vertical offsetting of the LABs in columns  320  and  340  can advantageously allow a given LAB to communicate with more LABs using only one or zero routing channels. Assuming, for purposes of illustration, that the horizontal and vertical channels of LAB architecture  300  are H 4  and V 4  channels, respectively, and that LAB architecture  300  contains more LABs than the twelve depicted in  FIG. 3 , the number of channels, or “hops,” required to transmit a signal from one LAB to another can be analyzed. For example, a given LAB can communicate with six LABs on its left and six LABs on its right, or a total of twelve LABs, using a single H 4  channel. In addition, a given LAB can communicate with eight LABs in the same column using a single V 4  channel, and can also communicate with eight LABs in each adjacent column using a single V 4  channel, yielding a total of twenty-four LABs reachable in a single vertical hop. This discrepancy in the number of LABs reachable with a single H 4  channel and a single V 4  channel is caused by the fact that vertical channels are laid out substantially between columns of LABs, while horizontal channels are laid out above rows of LABs, in LAB architecture  300  of  FIG. 3 . In addition, LAB architecture  300  can be designed such that each LAB can communicate with the two LABs immediately on its left and the two LABs immediately on its right without using any H 4  or V 4  channels, because outputs of the LEs in each LAB can be coupled to drive input multiplexers of horizontally adjacent LABs. Accordingly, the offsetting of certain LABs relative to adjacent LABs can advantageously increase the number of LABs reachable from any given LAB in one or zero hops when compared to traditional grid-style LAB architectures, such as LAB architecture  100  depicted in  FIG. 1 . In this fashion, the overall latency of inter-LAB communication on the IC device (e.g., PLD) using such a LAB architecture can be reduced, and the system as a whole can operate at a higher frequency. 
   It will be noted that concepts of the invention can be used with staggering or offsetting schemes, and to various groups of LABs, aside from the one illustrated in  FIG. 3 . For instance, columns of LABs do not have to be offset by approximately a half-LAB height relative to adjacent columns. As an example, a LAB architecture can be designed, in accordance with an embodiment the invention, where each column of LABs is offset by approximately one LE relative to the column to its left, resulting in an incremental offset across a series of columns of LABs. Alternatively, rows of LABs can be horizontally shifted relative to each other by any suitable amount. Similarly, principles of the invention can be applied to LAB architectures where both horizontal and vertical channels are laid out above the LABs, where both horizontal and vertical channels are laid out between rows and columns of LABs, where horizontal channels are laid out between LABs and vertical channels are laid out above LABs, or with any other suitable arrangement. As yet another example, concepts of the invention can be implemented with LABs that do not contain the same number of LEs. 
     FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing several LABs  412 ,  414 ,  422 ,  424 , and  426  laid out adjacent to each other in a staggered LAB architecture in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As shown, each LAB can include a plurality of LEs and a secondary signal region, all coupled to each other using internal routing conductors or wires inside of the LAB (e.g., internal routing conductors or wires  431 ,  441 ,  451 ,  461 , or  471 ). For instance, LAB  412  can include four LEs  432  and secondary signal region  434 . Each LE  432  can provide a combinational logic function such as a LUT, and one or more flip-flops. Secondary signal region  434  can provide any suitable signals to LEs  432  using internal signal conductors or wires  433 , including clock signals and control signals (e.g., enable signals, reset signals, and clear signals). LABs  414 ,  422 ,  424 , and  426  can include components similar to those of LAB  412  and be laid out in a similar fashion. It will be noted that each LAB can include any suitable number of LEs and secondary signal regions, and the invention is not limited in these respects. 
   As demonstrated by  FIG. 4 , LEs in different LABs can communicate with each other using appropriate signal conductors. For example, vertical channel  494  can allow an LE in any of LABs  412 ,  414 ,  422 ,  424 , and  426  to communicate with an LE in any of those same LABs, as well as with other LABs in the same columns (for the length of vertical channel  494 , which may be a segmented channel) by appropriate operation of multiplexers, such as multiplexers  456  and  466 . (Although  FIG. 4  may suggest that LABs  412  and  414  can drive vertical channel  494 , while LABs  422 ,  424 , and  426  cannot, it should be noted that various connections and circuitry have been omitted from  FIG. 4  for clarity, and many routing architectures could allow LABs  422 ,  424 , and  426  to drive vertical channel  494 , which could in turn provide inputs to LABs  412  and  414 .) 
   In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, horizontal conductors  482  can allow an LE in LAB  412  to communicate with both LAB  422  and LAB  424 , as well as other LABs that are horizontally aligned with LAB  412  (for the length of horizontal conductors  482 , which may be segmented conductors), by appropriate operation of multiplexers, such as multiplexers  456 . Similarly, horizontal conductors  482  can allow an LE in LAB  424  to communicate with both LAB  412  and LAB  414 , as well as other LABs that are horizontally aligned with LAB  424  (for the length of horizontal conductors  482 , which may be segmented conductors), by appropriate operation of multiplexers. (Although  FIG. 4  may suggest that LAB  412  can drive horizontal conductors  482 , while LAB  424  cannot, it should be noted that various connections and circuitry have been omitted from  FIG. 4  for clarity, and many routing architectures could allow LAB  424  to drive horizontal conductors  482 , which could in turn provide inputs to LABs  412  and  414 .) 
   Additionally, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, LABs such as those shown in  FIG. 4  can communicate with LABs that are directly horizontally adjacent to it without using any horizontal or vertical routing channels. For example, an LE from LAB  412  could transmit signals to LEs in LAB  422  and LAB  424 , and an LE from LAB  424  could transmit data to LEs in LABs  412  and  414 , both without using horizontal conductors  482  or  486 . Such signal transmission can be achieved because LE outputs of one LAB can be coupled to LE inputs of another LAB through appropriate multiplexer circuitry (for simplicity of illustration, such connections are not shown in  FIG. 4 ). 
   It will be noted that the shifting of LABs in different columns relative to each other can be achieved with relatively little change in layout. For instance, intra-LAB conductors or wires  451 ,  461 , and  471  can be broken at different vertical positions than intra-LAB conductors or wires  431  and  441 . Similarly, intra-LAB conductors or wires  453 ,  463 , and  473 , used to convey signals between a secondary signal region (e.g., secondary signal region  464  or  474 ) and the LEs in the same LAB, can be broken at different vertical positions than intra-LAB conductors or wires  433  and  443 . In an embodiment of the invention, these changes to the intra-LAB conductors or wires are the only changes needed to vertically shift LABs  422 ,  424 , and  426  relative to LABs  412  and  414 . For example, inter-LAB conductors and multiplexers used to facilitate inter-LAB communication can be left substantially unaltered. In addition, the positions of LEs  452 ,  462 , and  472  and secondary signal regions  464  and  474  can advantageously be left substantially unaltered. Such an approach to shifting LABs can result in secondary signal regions being positioned in different spots within individual LABs of different columns (e.g., secondary signal regions  464  and  474  can be positioned near the top of respective LABs  424  and  426 , while secondary signal regions  434  and  444  can be positioned near the middle of respective LABs  412  and  414 ). However, this approach can advantageously avoid the potentially costly operations needed to reposition the secondary signal regions, which can be of a substantially different size from the LEs in the same column of LABs. 
   Thus, concepts of the invention can be implemented on physical IC devices with relatively minimal changes to layouts. Similar principles can be applied to other LAB shifts in accordance with the invention, such as vertical shifts by an amount other than half the number of LEs in a given LAB, and horizontal shifts of rows of LABs relative to other rows of LABs. It will also be noted that concepts of the invention can be implemented with LABs that do not contain the same number of LEs. 
     FIG. 5  is a block diagram of an illustrative staggered LAB architecture  500  with L-shaped I/O interfaces  524  and  544  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The shifting of columns of LABs can leave unoccupied space at the edges of an IC device (e.g., a PLD). For instance, the shifting of columns  520  and  540 , assuming they are positioned near the bottom of the IC device, can leave gaps at the bottoms of those columns. One approach for taking advantage of this leftover space might be to lay out smaller LABs below LABs  522  and  542 . Alternatively, LABs  522  and  542  could be extended to include a greater number of LEs than most of the other LEs on the IC device. 
   In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, yet another way of taking advantage of the leftover space would be to place L-shaped I/O interfaces, such as I/O interfaces  524  and  544 , at the edges of the IC device. Such I/O interfaces can communicate with the plurality of LABs in the IC device, as well as with circuitry external to the IC device, and can include transmitter and receiver circuitry for performing such communications. Such L-shaped I/O interfaces could include a significant amount of multiplexer circuitry, which can advantageously be placed relatively easily in the space left open by the shifting of a column of LABs. It will be understood that such I/O interfaces can be applied for other LAB architectures (e.g., where rows of LABs are shifted instead of columns, or columns are shifted by a different amount than half the height of a LAB). 
     FIG. 6  illustrates an IC  606 , which incorporates a staggered LAB architecture in accordance with this invention, in a data processing system  640 . IC  606  may be a PLD, an ASIC, or a device possessing characteristics of both a PLD and an ASIC. Data processing system  640  may include one or more of the following components: processor  602 ; memory  604 ; I/O circuitry  608 ; and peripheral devices  610 . These components are coupled together by a system bus  612  and are populated on a circuit board  620  which is contained in an end-user system  630 . 
   System  640  can be used in a wide variety of applications, such as computer networking, data networking, instrumentation, video processing, or digital signal processing. IC  606  can be used to perform a variety of different logic functions. For example, IC  606  can be configured as a processor or controller that works in cooperation with processor  602 . IC  606  may also be used as an arbiter for arbitrating access to a shared resource in system  640 . In yet another example, IC  606  can be configured as an interface between processor  602  and one of the other components in system  640 . 
   Thus it is seen that a staggered LAB architecture can be provided on an IC device. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention can be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation, and the present invention is limited only by the claims which follow.

Technology Category: 5