Configurable Logic Platform Host Logic Encapsulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cloud computing systems face challenges in providing specialized computing resources while maintaining a healthy mix of generalized resources, and there is a need to ensure security and privacy by restricting user access to low-level hardware.
Innovation Solution
A configurable logic platform is introduced, which includes a server computer with a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) as an add-in card. This platform allows users to program the hardware to perform specific logic functions, while host logic encapsulates the user's application logic to restrict access and prevent security breaches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If users are given direct access to low-level hardware for specialized computing tasks, then computing efficiency and task performance are improved, but security risks and system stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a configurable logic platform (CLP) as an intermediary layer between users and the underlying hardware. This CLP includes a configuration layer that receives user specifications and translates them into hardware configurations, and an execution layer that runs the configured logic. This intermediary structure allows users to access specialized computing capabilities through a controlled interface, improving computing efficiency while maintaining system stability by preventing direct access to low-level hardware.
2Productivity
If cloud service providers allocate specialized computing resources to users, then user task performance is improved, but resource allocation complexity and management overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The configurable logic platform is designed as a universal resource that can be dynamically reconfigured to perform multiple different computing tasks. The same physical hardware platform can be allocated to different users and reconfigured for different specialized tasks through the configuration layer. This multi-functionality approach allows the cloud service provider to maintain a smaller set of versatile specialized resources rather than maintaining separate dedicated hardware for each task type, thereby reducing resource allocation complexity while still delivering high task performance.
3Ease of operation
If general-purpose computing resources are used, then system simplicity and ease of management are maintained, but computing speed and task efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic configurable logic platform that can change its functionality based on task requirements. The configuration layer receives dynamic specifications from users and reconfigures the execution layer hardware accordingly. This dynamic reconfiguration capability allows the system to maintain general-purpose characteristics for ease of management while achieving specialized computing speed when needed. The platform transitions between different functional states based on real-time requirements, combining the benefits of both general-purpose and specialized systems.
Data Source
AI summary
The following description is directed to a configurable logic platform. In one example, a configurable logic platform includes host logic and a reconfigurable logic region. The reconfigurable logic region can include logic blocks that are configurable to implement application logic. The host logic can be used for encapsulating the reconfigurable logic region. The host logic can include a host interface for communicating with a processor. The host logic can include a management function accessible via the host interface. The management function can be adapted to cause the reconfigurable logic region to be configured with the application logic in response to an authorized request from the host interface. The host logic can include a data path function accessible via the host interface. The data path function can include a layer for formatting data transfers between the host interface and the application logic.