# US 8,788,996 B2 · System and method for configuring semiconductor functional circuits > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,788,996 B2 - Document ID: US8788996B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/740,722 - Filed: 2003-12-18 - Published: 2005-11-10 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2003-09-15 - Assignees: NVIDIA Corporation - Applicants: Michael B. Diamond; John S. Montrym; James M. Van Dyke; Michael B. Nagy; Sean J. Treichler - Inventors: Michael B. Diamond; John S. Montrym; James M. Van Dyke; Michael B. Nagy; Sean J. Treichler - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8788996B2 ## CPC - G01R 31/318544: {Scanning methods, algorithms and patterns (G01R31/3183 takes precedence)} - G05B 99/00: Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass - G06F 11/2289: {by configuration test} - G06F 11/267: Reconfiguring circuits for testing, e.g. LSSD, partitioning - G16Z 99/00: Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass - H10P 74/232: {comprising connection or disconnection of parts of a device in response to a measurement} - G01R 31/31704: {Design for test; Design verification (concerning scan tests G01R31/318583; computer-aided design G06F30/00)} - G01R 31/3185: Reconfiguring for testing, e.g. LSSD, partitioning - G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12) - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - G16Z: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SPECIFIC APPLICATION FIELDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - H10P: GENERIC PROCESSES OR APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF DEVICES COVERED BY CLASS H10 ## Abstract The present invention systems and methods enable configuration of functional components in integrated circuits. A present invention system and method can flexibly change the operational characteristics of functional components in an integrated circuit die based upon a variety of factors. In one embodiment, manufacturing yields, compatibility characteristics, performance requirements, and system health (e.g., the number of components operating properly) are factored into changes to the operational characteristics of functional components. In one exemplary implementation, the changes to operational characteristics of a functional component are coordinated with changes to other functional components. Workflow scheduling and distribution is also adjusted based upon the changes to the operational characteristics of the functional components. For example, a functional component configuration controller changes the operational characteristics settings and provides an indication to a workflow distribution component. The workflow distribution component changes the workflow schedule based upon the operational characteristics settings (e.g., work flow is diverted to or away from functional components). ## Claims ### Claim 1 An integrated circuit comprising: a plurality of functional components for performing processing operations, wherein said plurality of functional components are included in a graphics processor; a distribution component for distributing information to said plurality of functional components; and a functional component configuration controller for configuring operational characteristics of one or more of said plurality of functional components. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The integrated circuit of claim 1 wherein said functional component configuration controller provides information to said distribution component regarding said operational characteristics of said plurality of functional components. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The integrated circuit of claim 1 wherein said distribution component factors said configured operational characteristics into distribution of said information to said plurality of functional components. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The integrated circuit of claim 1 wherein said functional component configuration controller configures said operational characteristics in accordance with a variety of operational objectives. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The integrated circuit of claim 1 further comprising a mask array wherein each mask included in said mask array corresponds to an operational objective and provides an indication of said operational characteristics of said plurality of functional components. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The integrated circuit of claim 5 wherein said mask array includes a yield mask for providing an indication of disablement of said defective functional components. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The integrated circuit of claim 6 wherein said mask array further comprises: a compatibility mask for indicating enablement of compatible supported operational characteristics of said plurality of functional components; a performance mask for indicating performance levels for said plurality of functional components; and a self healing mask for indicating operational characteristics for said plurality of functional components based upon field testing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The integrated circuit of claim 1 wherein said plurality of functional components include a pipeline. ### Claim 9 A functional component configuration process comprising: receiving an indication of a functional component configuration alteration trigger event; determining if said indication of said functional component configuration alteration trigger event is valid; directing alteration of a functional component configuration utilizing a processor; and diverting workflow in accordance with said alteration of said functional component configuration. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The functional component configuration process of claim 9 further comprising checking an indication of functional component operational characteristics. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The functional component configuration process of claim 9 wherein configuring of a functional component is accomplished by programming a value that controls enablement of said functional component. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The functional component configuration process of claim 9 wherein configuring of a functional component is accomplished by programming a register that controls a clock speed of said functional component. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The functional component configuration process of claim 9 further comprising dispensing workflow to a plurality of functional components based upon operational characteristics. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The functional component configuration process of claim 9 further comprising preventing distribution of workflow to a functional component if said functional component is disabled. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The functional component configuration process of claim 9 further comprising determining operational characteristics that includes consideration and coordination of various operational objectives. ### Claim 16 An integrated circuit comprising: a plurality of functional components for performing similar parallel operations; a functional component controller for controlling enablement and disablement of one or more of said plurality of functional components; and a distribution component for distributing information to enabled functional components included in said plurality of functional components and preventing distribution of information to disabled functional components included in said plurality of functional components. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The integrated circuit of claim 16 wherein said functional component controller provides information to said distribution component regarding which of said plurality of functional components is disabled. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The integrated circuit of claim 16 wherein said functional component controller provides information to said distribution component regarding which of said plurality of functional components is enabled. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The integrated circuit of claim 16 wherein said plurality of functional components include active functional components. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The integrated circuit of claim 16 wherein said distribution component distributes workflow information. ### Claim 21 (depends on 16) The integrated circuit of claim 16 wherein said functional component controller comprises a software programmable register. ### Claim 22 (depends on 16) The integrated circuit of claim 16 wherein said functional component controller comprises a hardcoded mask. ### Claim 23 (depends on 16) The integrated circuit of claim 16 wherein said integrated circuit is marked with a performance indicator that corresponds to a number of said plurality of functional components that are disabled. ### Claim 24 (depends on 16) The integrated circuit of claim 16 wherein said integrated circuit is marked with a performance indicator that corresponds to a number of said plurality of functional components that are enabled. ### Claim 25 An integrated circuit comprising: a plurality of functional components for performing processing operations; a distribution component for distributing information to said plurality of functional components; a functional component configuration controller for configuring operational characteristics of one or more of said plurality of functional components; and a mask array wherein each mask included in said mask array corresponds to an operational objective and provides an indication of said operational characteristics of said plurality of functional components. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The integrated circuit of claim 25 wherein said functional component configuration controller provides information to said distribution component regarding said operational characteristics of said plurality of functional components. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) The integrated circuit of claim 25 wherein said distribution component factors said configured operational characteristics into distribution of said information to said plurality of functional components. ### Claim 28 (depends on 25) The integrated circuit of claim 25 wherein said functional component configuration controller configures said operational characteristics in accordance with a variety of operational objectives. ### Claim 29 (depends on 25) The integrated circuit of claim 25 wherein said mask array includes a yield mask for providing an indication of disablement of defective functional components. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The integrated circuit of claim 29 wherein said mask array further comprises: a compatibility mask for indicating enablement of compatible supported operational characteristics of said plurality of functional components; a performance mask for indicating performance levels for said plurality of functional components; and a self healing mask for indicating operational characteristics for said plurality of functional components based upon field testing. ### Claim 31 (depends on 25) The integrated circuit of claim 25 wherein said plurality of functional components include a pipeline.