Architecture of a fine-grain field-programmable VLSI based on multiple-valued source-coupled logic

A novel Multiple-Valued Field-Programmable VLSI (MV-FPVLSI) architecture using the Multiple-Valued Source-Coupled Logic (MVSCL) is proposed to implement special-purpose processors. An MV-FPVLSI consists of identical cells, which are connected to 8-neighborhood ones. To reduce the complexity of the interconnection block between two cells in an MV-FPVLSI, a bit-serial fine-grain pipeline architecture is introduced which allows single-wire data transmission and as a result, the data-transmission delay becomes very small in comparison with that of a conventional FPGA. To reduce the number of switches in the interconnection block further, a cell, using multiple-valued source-coupled logic circuits, is proposed, where the input currents can be linearly summed just by wiring without using any active devices. Not only the data, but also the control signal can be superposed by linear summation. As a result, no input switch is required which contributes to smaller data transmission delay. Moreover, an arbitrary 2-input logic function can be generated by linear summation of the input currents and threshold operations using these reconfigurable MVSCL circuits. As the MVSCL circuit has high driving capability in comparison with that of an equivalent CMOS circuit, high-speed logic operation is also possible while maintaining low power.