Logic Design for Array-Based Circuits

by Donnamaie E. White

Copyright © 1996, 2001, 2002, 2008, 2016 Donnamaie E. White , WhitePubs Enterprises, Inc.

 

Sizing the Design - Selecting the Array


Interface Cell Functionality

Interface cells are designed to support TTL-translators, ECL-translators and most of the required buffers for external interfacing to both ECL and TTL. The amount of buffering, the capability of the cell to support high fan-out drivers, single-cell bidirec tional macros, ECL output terminations to 25 or 50 ohms, and elementary logic possible in an interface cell varies by array series.

For many of the arrays, the input macros also provide simple AND/NAND or OR/NOR logic or high fan-out driver operations. The output macros for TTL contain OR or NOR operations and those for ECL may contain these operations plus others as complex as a latch or a 2:1 MUX. This is in addition to level translation and buffering functions. The amount of logic contained within an interface macro is series-dependent; it is a function of the I/O cell complexity and the components available within the cell.

Variability in I/O Design

The various array series and even arrays within a series differ in their approach to interface. The following gives an idea of the choices that have existed on the arrays from one vendor. Similar variability and evolution can be traced for other vendors.

  • The Q700 Series used unbuffered I (input-only) and I/O (input, output or bidirectional) cells that require a buffer for each input and each output macro. The buffer macros were placed on internal cells (L or B), reduc ing the L-cells available for internal logic functions. There was a D-cell on one array in the series to provide a pin-restrictive three-state enable driver that could drive more than eight loads. A bidirectional macro was composed of one interface and two buffer cells.

  • The Q1500A array used I (input-only) and O (output-only) cells, with buffering either in the input or output macro or in a separate macro. The BExx macros were for ECL output buffering, for example, and were placed on a B cell. TTL input buffers are part of the input macro that was placed on an I cell. Bidirectionals were constructed from two macros on two adjacent cells using the same methods now used on the Q14000 Series arrays.

  • The QH1500A array used I and I/O cells, with buffering included in the input, output, and bidirectional macros the first time all buffers were removed from the internal cell area. The I/O cell could support single -cell bidirectional macros.

  • The Q3500 and Q5000 Series use I/O cells only, with buffering included in the input, output and bidirectional macros.

  • The Q1500, Q3500 and Q5000 Series also provide unbuffered ECL input and the buffered logic macros to support it. The BIxx series macros are made up of representative logical functions from the rest of the macro library (gates, EXOR networks, latches, flip/flops, MUXs and decoders) which also includes the ECL input buffering function on selected input pins. The BIxx macros are placed on internal macros (L or B). The selected pins are pin-restricted to be driven by any unbuffered ECL input macro.

  • The unbuffered ECL input macro does not suffer any degradation in speed due to loading delay, the only macro to behave in this manner. It can drive eight loads. Load capacitance presented to the source driving the unbuffered ECL input increases by 1 pF per fan-out.

  • The Q14000 Series uses I/O cells, with buffering and logic as is used in the Q5000 Series. Single cell bidirectional macros can only be used on the Q9100B or Q2100B and then only in specific "special-I/O" cell loca tions. Additional bidirectional macros must be built from one input and one output macro.
  • The Q20000 Series uses I/O cells, with buffering but no logic functions. TTL outputs (output macros and bidirectional macros) are limited to a number that varies per array. ECL outputs are also limited. The bidirec tional macros use two-cells and provide an added ground pad by using the left-over pad.

  • Most 25 ohm termination macros require two I/O cells. The Q20000 Series provides a single-cell 25 ohm termination macro but limits its use to arrays using two power supplies. Darlington macros are limited to arrays with two power supplies.

  • The Q20000 Series uses four fixed I/O signals per array. These signals are used by the on-chip thermal diode (one anode and one cathode) and the on-chip AC speed monitor (one is power and the other is an output signal). These four pads and cells are not available for use with any other function.

Bidirectional Macros

Bidirectional macros can be two-pin, one-pin, one-cell or two-cell macros. If an array series has no bidirectional macros, they may need to be constructed. Watch out for incompatibility with the workstations - a work-around may be required for proper simulation of bidirectional macros.

If more bidirectional macros are needed, they are constructed from two macros, one input and one output, and placed on two adjacent I/O cells. The two macros can be tied together into one package pin, but this requires two test vector sets, one for wafer sort and one for packaged part testing. They are usually tied together outside of the package to keep testing simplified, but this requires two package pins.

A third approach not liked by the array vendors is to stitch two macros together in the interconnect so that only one pad and one pin are used. Anytime that hand-edits or customization of the interconnect or base is involved, both time and money are required, and debugging time may need to be increased.

Copyright © 1996, 2001, 2002, 2008, 2016 Donnamaie E. White , WhitePubs Enterprises, Inc.
For problems or questions on these pages, contact donnamaie@-no-spam-sbcglobal.net