Method and VLSI circuits allowing to change dynamically the logical behavior
First Claim
1. A dynamically reconfigurable VLSI device for implementing in hardware any multiple outputs combinational target circuit having the output functions expressed in logical sum-of-product equations with a maximum of m inputs, a maximum of r outputs and a maximum of n product terms p(k), comprising:
- a register with m bits for storing the input variables;
n cells, a cell C(k) for determining the logical value of a product term p(k) of said equations for given inputs;
a block of r OR gates, each one with n inputs, associated with said cells C(k) for receiving the logical value of product terms p(k) and outputting the r bits of output functions;
wherein said cell C(k) comprises;
a storage area for storing the information that characterizes a product term, named mask word, product word and function word;
first logic level means for receiving said m inputs and said mask word to produce a first intermediate result, which identify the input variables that form a product term;
second logic level means for comparing the said product term with said first intermediate result to produce a second intermediate result concerning a product term;
third logic level means for receiving said second intermediate result to produce the logical value of the product term; and
forth logic level means for transferring said function word to r outputs, according to said logical value of said product term p(k), and subsequently to be OR-ed with function words of other product terms.
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Abstract
A method, named the product terms method that allows to implement and/or to change dynamically the logical behavior of any combinational or synchronous sequential circuits has been presented. The method uses for every product term of logical equations, expressed as a sum-of-product, three memory words: mask word, product word and function word. The words of all product terms are ranged in a table, which characterize the logical behavior of the circuit.
The invention provides the hardware structure of several new types of VSLI circuits, having re-configurable logic behaviors. A first embodiment implements any type of multiple output combinational circuit, a second embodiment implements any synchronous sequential circuit with only clock input and, a third embodiment implements any synchronous sequential circuit s with data inputs and clock input.
An expert system capable to generate the tables used for the product terms method by interpreting and analysing the logical equations either supplied by the user or found in a database is also provided.
75 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A dynamically reconfigurable VLSI device for implementing in hardware any multiple outputs combinational target circuit having the output functions expressed in logical sum-of-product equations with a maximum of m inputs, a maximum of r outputs and a maximum of n product terms p(k), comprising:
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a register with m bits for storing the input variables; n cells, a cell C(k) for determining the logical value of a product term p(k) of said equations for given inputs; a block of r OR gates, each one with n inputs, associated with said cells C(k) for receiving the logical value of product terms p(k) and outputting the r bits of output functions; wherein said cell C(k) comprises; a storage area for storing the information that characterizes a product term, named mask word, product word and function word; first logic level means for receiving said m inputs and said mask word to produce a first intermediate result, which identify the input variables that form a product term; second logic level means for comparing the said product term with said first intermediate result to produce a second intermediate result concerning a product term; third logic level means for receiving said second intermediate result to produce the logical value of the product term; and forth logic level means for transferring said function word to r outputs, according to said logical value of said product term p(k), and subsequently to be OR-ed with function words of other product terms. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12)
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9. A dynamically reconfigurable VLSI device for implementing in hardware any multiple-output combinational target circuit defined by a group of logical sum-of-product equations, with maximum m inputs, maximum r outputs and a maximum of q product terms in each equation, having a register with m bits for storing the input variables and for each single sum-of-products logical equation, considered as an independent equation, further comprising:
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q modified cells, a modified cell C(k) for determining the logical value of a product term p(k) of said independent equation, for given inputs; a single OR gate associated with said q modified cell C(k) for receiving the logical value of product terms p(k) to provide a single output for said independent equation; wherein said modified cell C(k) comprises; a storage area formed by two m-bit registers for storing the information that characterizes a product term, named mask word and product word; first logic level that comprises m*(2-bit) AND gates, each one for receiving a respective bit of said inputs and of said mask word to produce a respective bit of first intermediate result, which identify the input variables that form a product term; second logic level that comprises m*(2-bit) XNOR gates, each one for receiving a respective bit of said product word and said first intermediate result to produce a second intermediate result concerning a product term; and third logic level that comprises one m-bit AND gate for receiving the m bits of said second intermediate result to produce a logical value which is the value of the product term. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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Specification