Source

Pipeline Merge (Priority Arbitration)

Takes in multiple input ready/valid handshakes with associated data, and merges them one at a time into a single output ready/valid handshake. The inputs are merged in priority order, with the lowest indexed input having the highest priority.

Atomicity

So long as an input holds its valid signal high (implying a continous stream of data), it will hold the output (once granted) and so all that input's data will be passed atomically, without other data interleaved in it. Backpressure still works via the ready signal. If the source connected to the input cannot provide its block of data in a single continously valid stream, then any other input source may grab the output in the meantime. Thus, if you can't avoid interleaving, attach some metadata in parallel to the data (e.g.: a source ID number) to allow sorting it out further down the pipeline.

The IMPLEMENTATION parameter defaults to "AND", and controls the implementation of the Annullers inside the mux/demux. It is unlikely you will need to change it.

Avoiding combinational loops

As a design convention, we must avoid a combinational path between the valid and ready signals in a given pipeline interface, because if the other end of the pipeline connection also has a ready/valid combinational path, connecting these two interfaces will form a combinational loop, which cannot be analyzed for timing, or simulated reliably.

Thus, the input interfaces here are buffered to break the combinational path, even if the buffering is redundant. It's not worth the risk of a bad simulation or synthesis otherwise.

`default_nettype none

module Pipeline_Merge_Priority
#(
    parameter WORD_WIDTH     = 0,
    parameter INPUT_COUNT    = 0,
    parameter IMPLEMENTATION = "AND",

    // Do not set at instantiation, except in IPI
    parameter TOTAL_WIDTH   = WORD_WIDTH * INPUT_COUNT
)
(
    input  wire                     clock,
    input  wire                     clear,

    input  wire [INPUT_COUNT-1:0]   input_valid,
    output wire [INPUT_COUNT-1:0]   input_ready,
    input  wire [TOTAL_WIDTH-1:0]   input_data,

    output reg                      output_valid,
    input  wire                     output_ready,
    output wire [WORD_WIDTH-1:0]    output_data
);

    localparam INPUT_ZERO = {INPUT_COUNT{1'b0}};

    initial begin
        output_valid = 1'b0;
    end

First, we must buffer the input interfaces to break the combinational path from valid to ready.

    wire [INPUT_COUNT-1:0]   input_valid_buffered;
    wire [INPUT_COUNT-1:0]   input_ready_buffered;
    wire [TOTAL_WIDTH-1:0]   input_data_buffered;

    generate
        genvar j;
        for(j=0; j < INPUT_COUNT; j=j+1) begin: per_input
            Pipeline_Skid_Buffer
            #(
                .WORD_WIDTH (WORD_WIDTH)
            )
            input_buffer
            (
                .clock          (clock),
                .clear          (clear),
                
                .input_valid    (input_valid[j]),
                .input_ready    (input_ready[j]),
                .input_data     (input_data [WORD_WIDTH*j +: WORD_WIDTH]),
                
                .output_valid   (input_valid_buffered[j]),
                .output_ready   (input_ready_buffered[j]),
                .output_data    (input_data_buffered [WORD_WIDTH*j +: WORD_WIDTH])
            );
        end
    endgenerate

If any input is valid, then pass it to the output valid port.

    always @(*) begin
        output_valid = (input_valid_buffered != INPUT_ZERO);
    end

Then filter the input valid signals to only one, in order of priority. Least-significant bit has highest priority.

    wire [INPUT_COUNT-1:0] input_valid_granted;

    Priority_Arbiter
    #(
        .WORD_WIDTH     (INPUT_COUNT)
    )
    pipeline_arbiter
    (
        .requests       (input_valid_buffered),
        .grant          (input_valid_granted)
    );

Then use the filtered valid signal to select the data to pass to the output.

    Multiplexer_One_Hot
    #(
        .WORD_WIDTH     (WORD_WIDTH),
        .WORD_COUNT     (INPUT_COUNT),
        .OPERATION      ("OR"),
        .IMPLEMENTATION (IMPLEMENTATION)
    )
    data_out_mux
    (
        .selectors      (input_valid_granted),
        .words_in       (input_data_buffered),
        .word_out       (output_data)
    );

Use the filtered valid signal to steer the selected output ready port to the input ready port. Since this is a single-bit signal, the valid isn't necessary if we don't broadcast.

    Demultiplexer_One_Hot
    #(
        .BROADCAST      (0),
        .WORD_WIDTH     (1),
        .OUTPUT_COUNT   (INPUT_COUNT),
        .IMPLEMENTATION (IMPLEMENTATION)
    )
    ready_in_demux
    (
        .selectors      (input_valid_granted),
        .word_in        (output_ready),
        .words_out      (input_ready_buffered),
        // verilator lint_off PINCONNECTEMPTY
        .valids_out     ()
        // verilator lint_on  PINCONNECTEMPTY
    );

endmodule

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