Abstract

One popular FPGA interconnection network is based on the islandstyle model, where rows and columns of logic blocks are separated by channels containing routing wires. Switch blocks are placed at the intersections of the horizontal and vertical channels to allow the wires to be connected together. Previous switch block design has focused on the analysis of individual switch blocks or the use of ad hoc design with experimental evaluation. This paper presents an analytical framework which considers the design of a continuous fabric of switch blocks containing wire segments of any length. The framework is used to design new switch blocks which are experimentally shown to be as effective as the best ones known to date. With this framework, we hope to inspire new ways of looking at switch block design.

Citations