Sizing the Design - Selecting the Array
Last Edit July 22, 2001
Examples
The Q20000 Series arrays support a bidirectional macro that sits on two
I/O cells, unlike the single-cell approach of the Q5000 Series. In this
case, the internal macro routing eliminates the need for two sets of test
vectors or an extra bonded-out pad.
Each bidirectional macro also contains either an IEVCC pad (ECL VCC)
or an ITGND (TTL GROUND) pad. (Refer to "Added power and grounds"
for a discussion of pad -plane interconnections for added power and ground
pads.)
Internal Cell Functionality
The logic (bipolar) and basic (BiCMOS) cells are organized to provide
logic functions such as basic logic gates and buffers, high-fan-out drivers,
EXOR and EXNOR net works, gate networks, multiplexors, decoders, latches,
and flip/flops.
These cells can support a 3:1 MUX-D flip/flop combination, triple latch-common
clock, triple 2:1 MUX-common select and dual D F/Fs. As stated before
(see "Cell struc ture"), the number of cells required for any
of these functions will vary by array series.
The number of cells required to implement a function depends on the component
mix present in the cell and that required by the function. Arrays are
designed for a specific set of applications or targets and base array
design is optimized for those applications.
An array cell size may be divisible so that half-cell macros are possible,
which also allows sizes such as 4.5 cells. A cell may be designated as
the smallest divisible or addressable unit (SAU), in which case a one
cell macro is the smallest macro allowed.
Multi-Cell Macros
Groups of internal and/or interface cells can also be combined into large
multi-cell macros for higher functionality. The larger multi-cell macros,
named MSI macros by AMCC, interconnect components spread across several
cells more efficiently than the schematic interconnection of the equivalent
function formed from basic macros. The result is a denser functionality
with the resultant speed improvement.
Design density, measured by the cell utilization per functionality, can
be increased by 20-40% while reducing design partitioning and macro conversion
efforts. The large MSI macros include MSI and LSI functions.
Example MSI macros are 6-bit comparators, 4-bit carry-look ahead adders
and their companion carry-look-ahead generator, 4-bit up and down counters,
4-bit registers, 6-bit comparators and 8-bit latches. Different array
series offer different MSI mac ros.
The simple and MSI macros available with a specific array series are
documented, along with any use or placement restrictions, in the appropriate
Design Guide or Design Manual. Always refer to the latest version of these
manuals when performing an evaluation.
Hard and soft macros
There are two types of MSI or multi-cell macros. One type is hard, where
the cell interconnect is treated as one large macro and no variations
in layout are permitted. The other type is soft, where the cells composing
the macro have a preferred, speci fied-to layout pattern but which requires
the interconnect to be routed as if it were any other interconnect net.
The MSI macros in the Q5000 Series were originally designed to allow
placement in several different configurations to facilitate the auto-place
algorithm (best-fit ap proach), while closely maintaining the specified
performance for the macro. This is a soft-macro. A preferred placement
is documented.
The problems in improper placement, which invalidates the timing specifications
and therefore, the simulation model, and the problems in net weighting
and prioritizing the internal nets to the router, so that the interconnect
delay could be kept minimal, make the soft MSI macro approach unattractive.
Both the BiCMOS Q14000 and Q20000 Series MSI macros use hard-macros,
where an MSI macro is laid-out as a single multi-cell unit and handled
by the placement soft ware as an inflexible black box. Hard-macros facilitate
automated placement. Future AMCC arrays will use the hard macro approach.
Figure 3-5 shows an MSI-based 16 -bit adder.
Figure 3-5 16-Bit MSI Adder (1994)
|