JPH07154241A - Electronic circuit using programmable integrated circuit - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the scale of the programmable integrated circuit provided with a desired function by revising the function of the programmable integrated circuit as required even in the operation. CONSTITUTION:The electronic circuit is provided with FPGA (1)1, (2)2 as a programmable integrated circuit being components of the circuit with circuit data defining the circuit function, ROMs (1)3, (2)4 storing circuit data defining the circuit function to specify plural operations of the FPGA1, 2, buffers (1)5, (2)6 storing tentatively data to be processed and after processing for the FPGA1, 2, and a control circuit 7 sequentially selecting the circuit data for each operation block as required with the circuit data specifying plural operations stored in the ROMs 3, 4 and supplying the selected data to the FPGA1, 2 and revising sequentially the function configuration to obtain a desired circuit function in the FPGA1, 2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic circuit using a programmable integrated circuit whose circuit function can be changed according to circuit data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, programmable integrated circuits have been known in which circuit data defining circuit functions such as connection information and logic functions are stored in a memory cell or the like so that necessary circuit functions can be programmed. Such a programmable integrated circuit can change the circuit function by rewriting the circuit data, and is particularly useful because the circuit can be easily changed without repeating trial manufacture when designing a digital circuit such as a logic circuit. .

In digital circuits, high integration and miniaturization are important factors, and in order to achieve high integration, gate arrays, standard cells, custom ICs, etc., which constitute circuits for specific purposes, are generally used. It is used. By using a programmable integrated circuit instead of these gate arrays or the like, a highly integrated electronic circuit whose circuit can be changed can be configured.

A PLD is a programmable integrated circuit.
(Programable Logic Device), PGA (Programa
ble Gate Array) is known. For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-11806 discloses a programmable integrated circuit for storing information in a memory cell and programming a circuit function according to the stored content, which includes a nonvolatile storage element and a rewritable storage element. It is disclosed that the function can be changed. In the circuit of this publication, the nonvolatile memory element and the rewritable memory element are detachably connected by a switch means so that the function of the programmable integrated circuit can be easily changed. According to this configuration, it is possible to quickly respond to rewriting of the circuit at the time of designing, and it is possible to apply the present invention to an apparatus that needs a function change.

Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-316922 discloses a plurality of programmable logic ICs and these ICs.
A shared connection unit having a wiring for commonly connecting the two is provided, and the configuration is such that the programmable logic IC is programmed so that a desired function can be realized under the common wiring. According to this configuration, a circuit having a desired function can be realized by using common wiring means,
The function can be easily changed by changing the program of the programmable logic IC without changing the fixed configuration of the wiring board or the like, and various circuits can be easily configured.

[0006]

In the conventional programmable integrated circuit as described above, a memory element in which circuit data defining the operation of the circuit is stored is connected to a rewritable circuit element to have a desired function. It is designed to form a circuit.

Therefore, the functional configuration of such a programmable integrated circuit cannot be changed to another configuration until it is rewritten by connecting a storage element in which another circuit data is stored when it is not operating.

The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and it is possible to change the function of a programmable integrated circuit as needed even during operation, and at the same time, a circuit having a desired function can be obtained. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic circuit using a programmable integrated circuit capable of reducing the circuit scale in the above.

[0009]

An electronic circuit using a programmable integrated circuit according to the present invention defines a programmable integrated circuit forming a circuit by circuit data defining a circuit function and a plurality of operations in the programmable integrated circuit. An external storage element that stores circuit data that defines a circuit function for storing data, buffer means that stores processing input / output data for the programmable integrated circuit for a predetermined time, and a circuit that defines a plurality of operations stored in the external storage element And a control means for selecting circuit data for each operation block from the data and supplying the circuit data to the programmable integrated circuit.

[0010]

The control means selects the circuit data for each operation block from the circuit data that defines a plurality of operations stored in the external storage element and supplies the circuit data to the programmable integrated circuit. Constitute. At this time, the processing means input / output data for the programmable integrated circuit is accumulated for a predetermined time by the buffer means.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 relate to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic circuit using a programmable integrated circuit, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of circuit data stored in the ROM in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a digital integrated circuit including a CPU by a programmable integrated circuit. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example in which an electronic circuit using a programmable integrated circuit is applied to a light source device for an endoscope.

The electronic circuit of this embodiment comprises a programmable integrated circuit which constitutes a digital circuit such as a logic circuit. As a programmable integrated circuit, as shown in FIG. 1, FPGA (Field) which is a kind of PGA is used.
Programmable Gate Array) is provided and two FPGAs
ROMs that store circuit data defining circuit functions such as connection information and logic functions in (1) 1 and (2) 2 respectively
(1) 3 and (2) 4 are connected. In addition, FPGA (1)
1, (2) 2 are buffers for temporarily storing processed data and the like.
(1) 5, (2) 6 are connected to each.

A control circuit 7 including a CPU is provided, and the control circuit 7 controls the FPGAs (1) 1 and (2) 2 and rewrites the operation function of the FPGA, and the F
Timing control of input / output data of PGA is performed.

In the electronic circuit that constitutes such a digital circuit, the data processing performed during operation can be divided into a plurality of time-series processing. In this embodiment,
The processing data and processed data for each processing are stored in the buffer 5,
6 is temporarily held, and the circuit configurations of the FPGAs 1 and 2 are rewritten for each processing to perform sequential processing.

An example of circuit data stored in the ROMs (1) 3 and (2) 4 will be described with reference to FIG. Figure 2 is a ROM
It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of each memory space of 3 and 4. FIG. In the ROMs 3 and 4, the circuit data that defines the circuit configuration in each of the plurality of time-series processes is processed A,
B, C, D, ... Are divided into blocks and stored in the memory space corresponding to each process.

The control circuit 7 first prepares data to be processed in, for example, the buffer (1) 5 and then ROMs circuit data for processing the data to be processed to the FPGAs 1 and 2.
The circuit functions are programmed by reading from 3,4. As a result, the FPGAs 1 and 2 perform the intended processing on the processed data. The FPGAs 1 and 2 perform processing by using, for example, the data in the buffer (1) 5 as an input, and write the output in another buffer (2) 6. For example, buffer (1) 5
The data stored in the FPGA (1) 1 is processed, the processed data is written in the buffer (2) 6, and then the buffer
(2) The data of 6 is processed by the FPGA (2) 2 and the processed data is written in the buffer (1) 5.

At this time, the data prepared in the buffer (1) 5 can be processed in parallel in the FPGAs (1) 1 and (2) 2 and the processed data can be written in the buffer (2) 6. In addition, the processed data prepared in the buffer (1) 5 is directly processed by the FPGA (1) 1 after the processed data is processed by the FPGA (1) 1.
(2) It is also possible to pass the data to 2 and perform the processing serially as in the FPGA (2) 2 and write the processed data into the buffer (2) 6. Further, it is possible to rewrite the processed data into the original buffer, and in this case, one buffer can be omitted.

When the control circuit 7 recognizes that the processed data processed by the FPGA has been written in the buffer, the control circuit 7 outputs the circuit data for the next process as necessary.
The circuit configurations of the FPGAs 1 and 2 are read out from the OMs 3 and 4, and the rewritten FPGAs 1 and 2 perform sequential processing.

That is, the data to be processed is FPGA
When prepared in buffers 5 and 6 connected to 1, 2,
Or before or after being prepared
Block of circuit data that performs necessary processing definition is selected and read from the ROMs 3 and 4 as storage elements that store the circuit data that defines the operation of the The configuration is set. Then, after the data processing is performed in the FPGAs 1 and 2 and the processing results are written in the buffers 5 and 6, the data of this processing result is the same as that of another FPGA or the circuit configuration is changed and the processing content is reset. Necessary processing is performed by the FPGA.

The programmable integrated circuit provided in this embodiment is not limited to the two FPGAs shown in FIG. 1, but the same sequential circuit may be used in the case of one FPGA or in the case of providing three or more FPGAs. The desired processing can be performed while rewriting the configuration and changing the function. Moreover, not only FPGA but other programmable integrated circuits may be used.

With the above-described structure, a single or a plurality of programmable integrated circuits can be operated while changing the function for each processing in accordance with the required digital signal processing. It is possible to change the function of the programmable integrated circuit. This allows one programmable integrated circuit to have a plurality of functions, so that the number of ICs in a circuit having a desired function can be reduced and the circuit structure can be simplified.
Even when a programmable integrated circuit is used, F
It is possible to reduce the number of PGAs and the like to configure the circuit with a smaller number of chips, and it is possible to reduce the circuit scale.

Next, as an electronic circuit using a programmable integrated circuit, an example in which a digital circuit including a CPU is configured by a programmable integrated circuit will be described with reference to FIG.

Since the conventional digital circuit is constructed by using ICs, LSIs, etc., whose function of the fixed pattern cannot be changed, it is necessary to design the circuit for each device in order to realize the function required for the device to be incorporated. Although there is a problem that it takes a lot of man-hours, a solution using a programmable integrated circuit as disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-316922 has been proposed to solve this problem. However, only some of the digital circuits are replaced by programmable integrated circuits,
The advantages of programmable integrated circuits that allow the internal functions to be defined arbitrarily have not been fully utilized.

Therefore, FIG. 3 shows an example in which the function of the CPU is configured by a programmable integrated circuit so that a circuit having a predetermined function can be easily configured or the function of the circuit can be easily changed. The configuration of FIG. 3 can be considered as a configuration of the control circuit 7 of FIG. 1 by a programmable integrated circuit. In addition, each F in FIG.
The function of the PGA may be changed for each process as in the configuration of FIG.

Programmable integrated circuit PGA11
Has a CPU cell 12 having a CPU function, a RAM cell 13 for storing processing data, etc., and a ROM for storing circuit data defining the circuit function of the CPU cell 12.
14 is connected. The PGA 11 inputs the circuit data of the ROM 14 and configures a circuit having a predetermined function according to the circuit data.

The PGA 11 is connected to FPGAs (1) 15 and (2) 16 which constitute a circuit having a predetermined function, and controls the FPGAs and exchanges data between the chips. . FPGA (1) 15, (2) 16
Connected to the ROMs 17 and 18, respectively, are circuit data that define circuit functions. A RAM 20 having RAM cells 19a and 19b for storing processed data and the like is provided and connected to the FPGA (1) 15.

The PGA 11 is a main control unit C
A circuit is configured by the circuit data of the ROM 14 so as to have functions such as an arithmetic unit (ALU), an instruction register, and an instruction decoder as a PU function. In addition, FPGA
(1) 15 and (2) 16 are interrupt control for inputting an external state to the control unit configured in the PGA 11 and outputting a control signal from the control unit to the outside, parallel input / output, A circuit is configured by the circuit data of the ROMs 17 and 18 so as to have a function such as serial communication. The PGA 11 and FPGA (1) 15, (2) 16
For example, when the power is turned on, the circuit data is read from the ROM and a circuit having a function according to the circuit data is configured. Alternatively, the circuit data may be read by receiving a selector signal from the outside to configure the circuit.

As described above, all circuits such as logic circuits that handle digital signals can be configured by programmable integrated circuits. These programmable integrated circuits can also change the contents of the ROM, which is a storage element for function definition, according to the equipment used by incorporating them.
A function corresponding to the circuit data stored in the ROM can be provided. Therefore, it is possible to realize a plurality of functions with the same hardware.

Further, in the CPU technology, the area for storing the program to be executed and the peripheral circuits are accessed using the concept of an address, but a circuit having the function of an address decoder should be constructed by a programmable integrated circuit. Is also possible. The address space required in the circuit varies from a few kbytes to a few gigabytes with a very large width depending on the operation required for the equipment to be incorporated. However, by configuring the address decoder with a programmable integrated circuit, the function can be improved. The address space can be easily changed by the data in the definition storage element. In addition, the CPU cell 12 and RA in the PGA 11
The capacity of the M cell 13 can be increased or decreased according to the intended function.

As described above, the programmable integrated circuit configures the digital circuit such as the CPU section, the peripheral circuit, the address controller section, etc., so that the desired hardware can be obtained by the same hardware without changing the board on which the programmable integrated circuit is mounted. It is possible to configure a control circuit having a function. Further, since the circuit function and the data storage area can be easily changed, the number of man-hours required for design can be significantly reduced. Also, conventional C
Since each programmable integrated circuit can be defined so as to operate in the same manner as a circuit using a PU, it is possible to effectively use software assets up to now.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the structure of a light source device for an endoscope as an example of a device having a control circuit composed of a programmable integrated circuit.

The light source device has a control unit 21 composed of an FPGA, and the control unit 21 has an operation panel 22,
The lamp drive unit 23 and the pump drive unit 24 are connected. The lamp driving unit 23 is provided with a light source lamp 25 for generating illumination light, and the pump driving unit 24 is provided with an air / water feeding pump 2 for performing air feeding, water feeding, suctioning or the like via a channel of an endoscope.
6 are connected to each other. The control unit 21 is the CPU 2
7, each functional block of the lamp control unit 28, the pump control unit 29, and the panel control unit 30 is configured by an FPGA.

In the control unit 21, the CPU 27 controls the lamp control unit 28, the pump control unit 29, and the panel control unit 3.
0 is controlled, and input / output of control signals and the like is performed between the operation panel 22, the lamp drive unit 23, and the pump drive unit 24. In addition, the signal indicating the operating state and setting state of the device is C
PU 27 or lamp control unit 28, pump control unit 29
Is input to the panel control unit 30, and an operation instruction signal is input from the panel control unit 30 to the CPU 27 and the like.

By configuring the control circuit by the programmable integrated circuit as described above, the ROM storing the circuit data is changed by a common hardware configuration for changing the circuit or changing the function of the device according to the specifications. It can be easily achieved by just Further, in the programmable integrated circuit, by sequentially switching the circuit function for each operation as shown in FIG. 1 to perform the processing, the number of programmable integrated circuits can be reduced and the circuit can be downsized.

[0035]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to change the function of the programmable integrated circuit as needed even during operation, and at the same time, the circuit in the circuit having the desired function can be changed. There is an effect that the scale can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 to 4 relate to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic circuit using a programmable integrated circuit.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of circuit data stored in a ROM shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example in which a digital circuit including a CPU is configured by a programmable integrated circuit.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example in which an electronic circuit using a programmable integrated circuit is applied to a light source device for an endoscope.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 2 ... FPGA 3, 4 ... ROM 5, 6 ... Buffer 7 ... Control circuit

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Sumihiro Uchimura 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Hideki Koyanagi 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Toshiaki Noguchi 2-34-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A programmable integrated circuit that configures a circuit with circuit data that defines a circuit function, and an external storage element that stores circuit data that defines a circuit function for defining a plurality of operations in the programmable integrated circuit. Buffer means for accumulating processing input / output data for the programmable integrated circuit for a predetermined time, and circuit data for each operation block selected from the circuit data defining a plurality of operations stored in the external storage element to select the programmable integrated circuit. An electronic circuit using a programmable integrated circuit, comprising: