IP Library Granted Patent US 8,166,441
Granted Patent B2
US 8,166,441 · App. 12/248,187 · Granted Apr 24, 2012

Low depth circuit design

Assignee: LSI Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,166,441
App. No.
12/248,187
Granted
Apr 24, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of designing a logic circuit based on one of the functions of the form f n =x 1 (x 2 & (x 3 (x 4 & . . . x n . . . ))) and f′ n =x 1 & (x 2 (x 3 & (x 4 . . . x n . . . ))), by (a) selecting n as the number of variables of the logic circuit, (b) testing n against a threshold, (c) for values of n less than the threshold, using a first algorithm to design the logic circuit, (d) for values of n greater than the threshold, using a second algorithm to design the logic circuit.

Claims (35)

1. A processor-based method of designing a logic circuit based on one of the functions of the form:

f n =x 1 ( x 2 & ( x 3 ( x 4 & . . . x n . . . ))), and

f′ n =x 1 & ( x 2 ( x 3 & ( x 4 . . . x n . . . ))),

comprising the steps of:

a. selecting N as the number of variables of the logic circuit,

b. testing N against a threshold,

c. for values of N less than the threshold, using a first algorithm to design the logic circuit using the processor, where the first algorithm is a heuristic optimization of a base algorithm; adapted for reduced accuracy and enhanced speed of computation, and

d. for values of N greater than the threshold, using a second algorithm to design the logic circuit using the processor, where

the second algorithm is an n-restricted algorithm that uses, in all arrays of the base algorithm, only elements that have n-good binary expansions,

loops of the base algorithm having a form of for(i=0; i<NN; i++) are replaced with for(i=0; i<NN; i=next after i number with n-good expansion),

conditions of the base algorithm having a form of if(depth[k]>d) are replaced with if(k is n-good) if(depth[k]>d), and

the second algorithm operates with the logic circuits such that passports of all subfunctions are n-good, and

e. the base algorithm is characterized by a search of all possible combinations of the logic circuit, and a selection of the logic circuit having a lowest depth.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein n equals four.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the logic circuit comprises data paths including at least one of binary adders, binary comparators, and locators of leading and trailing ones and zeros in binary numbers.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first algorithm is a modification of the base algorithm, where traces for any given depth D and for a given b are only kept to a value of c=c(b,D) that is maximum among all c such that functions with passport (0,b,c,N+1−b−c) have a depth that is not more than D.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the base algorithm comprises selecting a preexisting design having the least number of variables that is greater than N, and simplifying the preexisting design for N variables by setting constants to unused inputs and applying constant propagation.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the threshold is about 698.

7. A processor-based method of designing a logic circuit based on one of the functions of the form:

f n =x 1 ( x 2 & ( x 3 ( x 4 & . . . x n . . . ))), and

f′ n =x 1 & ( x 2 ( x 3 & ( x 4 . . . x n . . . ))),

comprising the steps of:

a. selecting N as the number of variables of the logic circuit,

b. testing N against a first threshold,

c. for values of N less than the threshold, using a first algorithm to design the logic circuit using the processor, where the first algorithm is one of,

i. a modification of a base algorithm that uses only elements that have n-good binary expansions, where:

loops of the base algorithm having a form of for(i=0; i<NN; i++) are replaced with for(i=0; i<NN; i=next after i number with n-good expansion),

conditions of the base algorithm having a form of if(depth[k]>d) are replaced with if(k is n-good) if(depth[k]>d), and

the second algorithm operates with the logic circuits such that passports of all subfunctions are n-good, and

ii. a modification of the base algorithm, where traces for any given depth D and for a given b are only kept to a value of c=c(b,D) that is maximum among all c such that functions with passport (0,b,c,N+1−b−c) have a depth that is not more than D, and

d. the base algorithm is characterized by a search of all possible combinations of the logic circuit, and a selection of the logic circuit having a lowest depth.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the threshold is about 698.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein n equals four.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the logic circuit comprises data paths including at least one of binary adders, binary comparators, and locators of leading and trailing ones and zeros in binary numbers.

11. The method of claim 7 , wherein the base algorithm comprises selecting a preexisting design having the least number of variables that is greater than N, and simplifying the preexisting design for N variables by setting constants to unused inputs and applying constant propagation.

Assignments (7)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 15, 2022
From: CORTLAND CAPITAL MARKET SERVICES LLC
To: HILCO PATENT ACQUISITION 56, LLC; BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC; BELL NORTHERN RESEARCH, LLC
Reel/Frame 059720/0223 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 1, 2018
From: HILCO PATENT ACQUISITION 56, LLC; BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC; BELL NORTHERN RESEARCH, LLC
To: CORTLAND CAPITAL MARKET SERVICES LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 045216/0020 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 17, 2017
From: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES GENERAL IP (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.; BROADCOM CORPORATION
To: BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC
Reel/Frame 044887/0109 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS (RELEASES RF 032856-0031) Recorded Feb 2, 2016
From: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: LSI CORPORATION; AGERE SYSTEMS LLC
Reel/Frame 037684/0039 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 3, 2015
From: LSI CORPORATION
To: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES GENERAL IP (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
Reel/Frame 035390/0388 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 8, 2014
From: LSI CORPORATION; AGERE SYSTEMS LLC
To: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 032856/0031 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 9, 2008
From: GRINCHUK, MIKHAIL I.
To: LSI CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 021654/0166 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 60979529 · Oct 12, 2007
Related Publication 20090100390A1 · Apr 16, 2009