IP Library Granted Patent US 8,990,740
Granted Patent B2
US 8,990,740 · App. 13/513,277 · Granted Mar 24, 2015

Method and system for a run-time reconfigurable computer architecture

Inventors: Wei Zhang (Singapore, SG); Niraj K. Jha (Westfield, NJ); Li Shang (Boulder, CO)
Assignee: The Trustees of Princeton University
G06F17/505B82Y10/00G06F15/7867G11C13/025H03K19/177H03K19/17748G11C2213/16
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,990,740
App. No.
13/513,277
Granted
Mar 24, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A reconfigurable computer architecture is disclosed. The reconfigurable computer architecture has a plurality of logic elements, a plurality of connection switching elements, and a plurality of volatile and/or non-volatile configuration random access memories (RAMs). Each of the configuration RAMs is electrically coupled to at least one of the plurality of logic elements or at least one of the connection switching elements.

Claims (12)

1. A reconfigurable computer architecture, comprising:

a) a logic layer having:

1) a plurality of logic elements grouped into a plurality of macroblocks each containing at least two logic elements; and

2) a plurality of connection switching elements;

b) memory layer electrically coupled to the logic layer, the memory layer having:

1) a configuration storage associated with each of the plurality of macroblocks (MBs), wherein each configuration storage is configured for storing configuration bits and is electrically coupled to its associated macroblock using a through-silicon Via to enable reconfiguration.

2. The reconfigurable computer architecture of claim 1 , wherein each configuration storage in the memory layer is electrically coupled to at least one of the plurality of connection switching elements in the logic layer by at least one via.

3. The reconfigurable computer architecture of claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more MBs comprises four of the plurality of logic elements.

4. The reconfigurable computer architecture of claim 1 , wherein:

each logic element comprises logic element inputs, at least one logic element output; each of the MBs comprises MB inputs; and

each of the logic element inputs arrive from one of the logic element outputs or from one of the MB inputs after passing through at least one of the connection switching elements.

5. The reconfigurable computer architecture of claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the one or more MBs are grouped into one or more super-macroblocks (SMBs).

Assignments (3)
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Mar 31, 2015
From: PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
To: NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Reel/Frame 035337/0029 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 10, 2012
From: SHANG, LI
To: QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY AT KINGSTON
Reel/Frame 029105/0931 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 10, 2012
From: ZHANG, WEI; JHA, NIRAJ K.
To: TRUSTEES OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
Reel/Frame 029105/0963 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61265434 · Dec 1, 2009
Related Publication 20130135008A1 · May 30, 2013