Configurable Hardware Routers for Network Physical Layer Simulation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing modeling tools for computing and communication hardware development are expensive and time-consuming due to the need for multiple iterations of hardware creation and testing, and software-based models struggle with high data rates and determinism.

Innovation Solution

A hardware system using custom, configurable processors such as FPGAs to simulate network physical layers and communication channels, allowing for deterministic and high-speed data processing, and enabling the modeling of multiple virtual routers with a single set of hardware.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If software-based modeling tools are used to model hardware designs, then design iterations can be implemented before hardware fabrication, but the tools cannot handle high data rates required for real-time simulation and are non-deterministic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevelopment timeVSAvoiddeterminism

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates virtual copies of hardware routers using a single physical router as a template. The configuration of the physical router is captured and replicated to create multiple virtual router instances that can be simulated in software, enabling deterministic high-speed data processing without requiring multiple physical hardware units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

A single physical router is designed to perform multiple functions by serving as a template for creating multiple virtual router instances. This universal approach allows one hardware unit to support simulations of numerous virtual routers, reducing hardware costs while maintaining deterministic performance through hardware-based networking functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If actual hardware is implemented for each router to be modeled, then high data rates and determinism can be achieved, but the cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedeterminismVSAvoidhardware cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates virtual copies of hardware routers using a single physical router as a template. The configuration of the physical router is captured and replicated to create multiple virtual router instances that can be simulated in software, enabling deterministic high-speed data processing without requiring multiple physical hardware units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the need for multiple physical hardware routers with virtual router instances created through software-based configuration replication. The critical deterministic functions are implemented in hardware (single physical router), while the multiplicative instances are created virtually, substituting expensive hardware multiplication with cheaper software-based virtualization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple iterations of hardware creation and testing are performed, then the final design can be optimized, but the expense and development time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign qualityVSAvoiddevelopment process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary configuration capture and virtual replication before hardware fabrication iterations. By creating virtual router instances from a captured configuration template, designers can test and optimize multiple design scenarios in software before committing to expensive hardware iterations, reducing overall development complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates virtual copies of hardware routers using a single physical router as a template. The configuration of the physical router is captured and replicated to create multiple virtual router instances that can be simulated in software, enabling deterministic high-speed data processing without requiring multiple physical hardware units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS12284084B2Modeling multiple hardware routers in custom hardware

Publication Date: 2025.04.22 L3HARRIS TECH INC

AI summary

A hardware system for simulating a network physical layer for communication channels. The hardware system includes a plurality of hardware processors configurable to model a network physical layer and communication channels. The hardware system is further implemented where the hardware processors are configured such that a single set of hardware, including a single set of gates and registers, is used in a single simulation to model a plurality of virtual routers for different nodes.