Methods and circuitry for reconfigurable SEU/SET tolerance
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
InventorRobert L. Shuler, Jr.
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Abstract
A device is disclosed in one embodiment that has multiple identical sets of programmable functional elements, programmable routing resources, and majority voters that correct errors. The voters accept a mode input for a redundancy mode and a split mode. In the redundancy mode, the programmable functional elements are identical and are programmed identically so the voters produce an output corresponding to the majority of inputs that agree. In a split mode, each voter selects a particular programmable functional element output as the output of the voter. Therefore, in the split mode, the programmable functional elements can perform different functions, operate independently, and/or be connected together to process different parts of the same problem.
Claims28
A reconfigurable integrated circuit, comprising:
- a plurality of programmable functional elements operable to be programmed to form at least one electronic circuit;
- a plurality of voters electrically connected to said plurality of programmable functional elements;
- and
- a mode control operably connected to said plurality of voters for adjusting a SEU/SET tolerance of said at least one electronic circuit,
- whereby in a first mode of operation, said at least one electronic circuit has a relatively lower SEU/SET tolerance, and
- whereby in a second mode of operation, said at least electronic circuit has a relatively higher SEU/SET tolerance.
A method for making a reconfigurable integrated circuit, comprising the steps of:
- providing a plurality of programmable functional elements which are operable to be programmed to form at least one electronic circuit;
- electrically connecting a plurality of voters to said plurality of programmable functional elements;
- and
- electrically connecting a mode control to said plurality of voters for adjusting a SEU/SET tolerance of said at least one electronic circuit whereby in a first mode of operation said at least one electronic circuit has a relatively lower SEU/SET tolerance and whereby in a second mode of operation said at least one electronic circuit has a relatively higher SEU/SET tolerance.
A method for operating a reconfigurable integrated circuit, comprising the steps of:
- providing a reconfigurable integrated circuit, comprising:
- a plurality of programmable functional elements;
- a plurality of voters electrically connected to said plurality of programmable functional elements;
- and
- a mode control operably connected to said plurality of voters;
- programming said plurality of programmable functional elements to form at least one electronic circuit;
- and
- setting said mode control connected to said plurality of voters to adjust a SEU/SET tolerance of said at least one electronic circuit, whereby in a first mode of operation said at least one electronic circuit has a relatively lower SEU/SET tolerance and in a second mode of operation said at least one electronic circuit has a relatively higher SEU/SET tolerance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.