Method of self-synchronization of configurable elements of a programmable unit
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A method for processing data by a data processor, the data processor including a plurality of cells arranged in a multi-dimensional pattern, comprising the steps of:
- storing result data by a first cell of the plurality of cells into a register of a second cell of the plurality of cells;
transmitting a first trigger signal by the first cell to the second cell, the first trigger signal having a type;
receiving the first trigger signal by the second cell; and
processing the stored result data by the second cell in response to receiving the first trigger signal, the way in which the stored result data is processed by the second cell varying as a function of the type of the first trigger signal.
3 Assignments
Litigations
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of synchronizing and reconfiguring configurable elements in a programmable unit is provided. A unit has a two- or multi-dimensional, programmable cell architecture (e.g., DFP, DPGA, etc.), and any configurable element can have access to a configuration register and a status register of the other configurable elements via an interconnection architecture and can thus have an active influence on their function and operation. By making synchronization the responsibility of each element, more synchronization tasks can be performed at the same time because independent elements no longer interfere with each other in accessing a central synchronization instance.
254 Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A method for processing data by a data processor, the data processor including a plurality of cells arranged in a multi-dimensional pattern, comprising the steps of:
-
storing result data by a first cell of the plurality of cells into a register of a second cell of the plurality of cells;
transmitting a first trigger signal by the first cell to the second cell, the first trigger signal having a type;
receiving the first trigger signal by the second cell; and
processing the stored result data by the second cell in response to receiving the first trigger signal, the way in which the stored result data is processed by the second cell varying as a function of the type of the first trigger signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
storing command data by the first cell into a command register of a third cell of the plurality of cells;
transmitting a second trigger signal by the first cell to the third cell;
receiving the second trigger signal by the third cell; and
executing the stored command by the third cell.
-
-
3. The method for processing data by a data processor of claim 2, wherein
the second trigger signal has a type and the way the stored command is executed by the third cell varies as a function of the type of the second trigger signal. -
4. The method for processing data by a data processor of claim 2, further comprising:
-
performing a computing operation with the first cell of the plurality of cells; and
determining the type for the second trigger signal as a function of a result of the computing operation performed with the first cell of the plurality of cells.
-
-
5. The method for processing data by a data processor of claim 1, further comprising:
-
performing a computing operation with the first cell of the plurality of cells; and
determining the type for the first trigger signal as a function of a result of the computing operation performed with the first cell of the plurality of cells.
-
-
6. The method for processing data by a data processor of claim 5, wherein
the type of the first trigger signal indicates that the second cell should process the result data in a single step mode, and wherein processing the stored result data by the second cell is carried out in the single step mode.
-
7. A data processor, comprising:
-
a plurality of cells arranged in a multi-dimensional pattern, each of the plurality of cells including at least one respective register, each of the plurality of cells including a respective logic unit configured to perform a computer operation producing a result, and a respective configuration register, each of the plurality of cells capable of storing the result in the respective configuration register of at least one of the other plurality of cells. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
each of the plurality of cells further includes a respective status register, and each of the plurality of cells is capable of storing the result in the respective status register of at least one of the other plurality of cells. -
11. The data processor of claim 7, wherein
each of the plurality of cells further includes a respective command register, and each of the plurality of cells is capable of storing the result in the respective command register of at least one of the other plurality of cells. -
12. The data processor of claim 11, wherein
the computer operation which the respective logic unit is configured to perform is determined by a value stored in the respective command register. -
13. The data processor of claim 7, wherein
each of the plurality of cells further includes a respective operand register, and each of the plurality of cells is capable of storing the result in the respective operand register of at least one of the other plurality of cells. -
14. The data processor of claim 13, wherein
the computer operation which the respective logic unit is configured to perform is performed on a value stored in the respective operand register.
-
Specification