On soft switch programming for reconfigurable array systems

This paper deals with the programming and control of non-permanent (soft) switching elements in an augmented interconnection network of a two-dimensional VLSI/WSI array. In particular, it is addressed the issue of cost for programming soft switches involved in the routing process for the interconnections from the primary pad pins. Cost is analyzed with respect to the complexity of the switches (as given by their switching modes) and the number of programming steps involved in establishing the desired interconnections.