Structured Design Methodology
Last Edit July 22, 2001
Initial sizing of the circuit
Before an array or array series has been chosen, estimate the size of
the circuit or circuits to be placed on the array. Estimate the number
of I/O connections, the types of I/O connections and the I/O cell count.
The I/O cell count and the pad count may both be required. Estimate the
internal cell count. (See Table 2-4.)
Table 2-4 Sizing Review
Initial Sizing Review |
Types of I/O Interface
Number of Each Type
Equivalent Gate Count
or
Internal Cell Utilization
---- Estimated by Cell Type
|
For standard functions, equivalent gate counts may exist that can be
used in place of internal cell count to estimate the size of the internal
array area that will be required. Internal cell counts are more useful
than equivalent gate counts where the cells are more complex than one
or two gates.
Compare these estimates to the review of the arrays still under consideration
and their I/O resources, their internal density and their maximum frequency
of operation. Note that, at this stage in the design, the sizing estimates
for the circuit may be off by a considerable margin. Historically, device
cell utilization at the estimate stage of a design is 20-30% below the
final value.
Q2000 Series Approximate Equivalent Gate Size (Historical)
Internal cell utilization
The first population checks can be made before the circuit is designed.
Internal cell utilization is one of these checks. Internal cell utilization
is the number of cells required by a circuit divided by the number of
cells available.
Internal |
Number of Internal Cells Used |
Cell Utilization = |
------------------------------------------- |
|
Number of Internal Cells Available |
Macros that are suitable can be listed and a rough estimate of internal
cell utilization computed. This step includes a review of the available
macros in the various libraries with emphasis on the requirements of the
specific circuit application.
Reviewing the macros available allows a match to be made between functional
macros that exist and what is required to implement the design in the
least silicon for the highest performance. All other things being equal,
the convenience of the macro library can be a decisive factor in the final
array selection.
Do the macros available support the circuit modules? Large macros may
include adders, carry-look-ahead, comparators, up and down counters, universal
registers, large multiplexors and decoders.
Internal cell utilization should be 60-70% at the initial stages of
sizing estimates to allow for expansion due to buffers, fan-out load distribution,
path balancing or specification changes. The internal cell utilization
limit for a completed design is array-specific. (See Table 2-5.) AMCC
arrays have an upper limit of 95-100%.
Table 2-5 Internal Cell Utilization Limit
Preliminary Circuit |
Final Circuit |
60-70% |
80-100% |
Interface cell utilization
The I/O requirements to the outside world are the second size determination.
The array for a circuit must provide sufficient I/O capability to handle
all signals, all other interface-placed circuit support such as three-state
enable drivers, test enable controls and added power and ground pads to
support simultaneously switching outputs (SSO) and high-speed inputs.
As with internal cell utilization, only an estimate of final interface
cell utilization can be made. The array should not use100% of the I/O
or the design will become I/O bound. Pad utilization, for cases where
the I/O cells and pads are not one for one, must also be kept under 100%.
A check on array symmetry should be made. The Q20000 Series arrays do
not provide the same number of I/O cells in each array quadrant. This
may affect placement and added power and ground usage. The Q24008 is not
square and has variable power and ground bonding. Check for these and
other variations that might affect allowable utilization of the I/O pads
and cells.
Selection of the array series
Integrate the hardware specification, the available arrays and the initial
sizing estimates to select the target array series. The final choice is
usually based on the performance - cost - availability - support matrix.
In cases of equivalence between one or more array series, the final choice
may be subjective.
Package availability should be considered in the early decisions since
customized packages, especially for large arrays, take months to develop.
The specified performance and requirements for on-chip memory will assist
in the reducing the number of options. Only a limited number of arrays
support on-chip memory, such as the QM1600T. CMOS and BiCMOS do not yet
support designs operating at 300MHz (although individual macros can toggle
at these speeds). High-speed bipolar arrays support paths operating over
1.4GHz.
Combine all of the information gathered to date
and select one or more series for final evaluation.
|
|