Boot Management Controller for Compute IC Initialization

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Solution Overview

Problem

In electronic circuit systems, there is a challenge in booting a compute integrated circuit without pre-existing boot code, as the compute integrated circuit lacks initial software and memory content upon power-up, necessitating a mechanism to load boot code and subsequent software from a processing integrated circuit.

Innovation Solution

A boot management controller circuit within the processing integrated circuit provides boot code from its boot memory to the compute integrated circuit during power-up, enabling boot operations and software loading, with the processing integrated circuit acting as a configuration manager for secure and authenticated configuration of programmable logic circuits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the compute integrated circuit lacks pre-existing boot code, then the circuit can be more flexible and reconfigurable, but the circuit cannot perform boot operations without external assistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility and reconfigurabilityVSAvoidboot operation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The processing integrated circuit acts as an intermediary by containing a boot management controller that stores boot code in its boot memory and provides this code to the compute integrated circuit during power-up, enabling the compute circuit to perform boot operations without having the code built-in

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The processing integrated circuit serves multiple functions: it processes computations, manages boot operations through its boot management controller, and provides configuration capabilities, thereby eliminating the need for separate dedicated boot code storage in the compute circuit

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If the compute integrated circuit loads boot code from external memory during power-up, then the circuit can be securely configured, but the boot process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure configurationVSAvoidboot process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The boot code is pre-stored in the boot management controller's boot memory during manufacturing, so that when the compute integrated circuit powers up, the boot code is already available and can be immediately provided without requiring complex external memory access or lengthy initialization sequences

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20230035058A1Techniques For Booting A Compute Integrated Circuit Using A Boot Management Controller In A Processing Integrated Circuit

Publication Date: 2023.02.02 ALTERA CORP

AI summary

A circuit system includes a first integrated circuit and a second integrated circuit that includes a boot management controller circuit. The boot management controller circuit provides boot code to the first integrated circuit in response to the circuit system powering up. The first integrated circuit performs a boot operation using the boot code received from the boot management controller circuit.