Silicon object array with unidirectional segmented bus architecture

A logic array comprising:

• first and second unidirectional segmented buses, each bus comprising a string of unidirectional bus segments;
• and
• first and second sets of silicon objects, including at least one common silicon object, which are coupled between segments in the first and second buses, respectively, wherein the common silicon object further comprises:
• first and second bus inputs coupled to respective bus segments in the first and second buses, respectively;
• first and second bus outputs coupled to subsequent bus segments in the first and second buses, respectively;
• logic means coupled to receive a first digital value from the first bus input and for generating a new digital value;
• and
• launch means for selectively passing the first digital value from the first bus input to the first bus output, replacing the first digital value with the new digital value on the first bus output, and passing the first digital value to the second bus output.

A method of communicating digital values between silicon objects on an integrated circuit, the method comprising:

• coupling a first set of silicon objects between respective unidirectional bus segments in a first unidirectional segmented bus;
• coupling a second set of silicon objects between respective bus segments in a second unidirectional segmented bus, wherein at least one of the silicon objects is common to the first and second sets;
• receiving a first digital value within the common silicon object from one of the bus segments in the first bus;
• generating a new digital value within the silicon object;
• selectively passing the first digital value from the common silicon object to another of the bus segments in the first bus;
• selectively replacing the first digital value with the new digital value within the common silicon object and passing the new digital value from the common silicon object to the other bus segment in the first bus;
• and
• selectively passing the first digital value from the common silicon object to one of the bus segments in the second bus.