CORBA FPGA Communication Without External ORB

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

CORBA middleware solutions do not function effectively on high-performance distributed systems using field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), digital signal processors (DSP), and field programmable object arrays (FPOA) due to the requirement for an external general-purpose processor to provide ORB functionality, leading to reduced system interconnectivity and architectural component damage.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that enables communication with processing elements like FPGA, DSP, or FPOA in a CORBA system without an ORB by using a host loader to load necessary data, create an IOR map with CORBA object addresses, and employ a GIOP translator for direct communication, eliminating the need for additional processing capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an external general-purpose processor is used to provide ORB functionality for FPGA, DSP, or FPOA processing elements, then the processing elements can communicate in a CORBA system, but system interconnectivity is reduced and architectural component model is damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCORBA communication capabilityVSAvoidsystem interconnectivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the ORB functionality from external general-purpose processors and embeds it directly into the processing elements (FPGA, DSP, FPOA). This is achieved by loading ORB software components into the processing elements themselves, eliminating the need for external ORB provision and thereby improving system interconnectivity while maintaining CORBA communication capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The processing elements are designed to perform multiple functions: they execute their primary processing tasks while simultaneously providing ORB functionality for CORBA communication. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate external processors dedicated to ORB operations, reducing system complexity and improving interconnectivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If ORB functionality is embedded in each processing element, then system interconnectivity is improved, but processing elements require additional processing capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem interconnectivityVSAvoidprocessing capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The ORB functionality is loaded into processing elements in advance through a host loader system. The host loader prepares and transfers necessary ORB software components and configuration data to the processing elements before they begin operation, enabling them to function autonomously without consuming additional real-time processing capacity during execution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Each processing element is equipped with its own ORB functionality, allowing it to independently handle CORBA communication tasks without requiring external assistance. This self-service capability enables processing elements to manage their own communication needs while maintaining full processing capacity for their primary functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If a host loader with ORB knowledge is used to load processing elements, then direct CORBA communication is enabled, but the loading process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication architectureVSAvoidloading process

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The host loader acts as an intermediary between the external environment and the processing elements. It contains the necessary ORB knowledge and translation capabilities to prepare processing elements for direct CORBA communication. The host loader translates external CORBA communication requirements into formats suitable for the processing elements, simplifying the overall system architecture despite adding a loading step.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7774801B1CORBA field programmable gate array/digital signal processor system

Publication Date: 2010.08.10 ROCKWELL COLLINS INC

AI summary

A system and method for communicating with a processing element in a CORBA (Common Object Request Broker Architecture) system does not use an ORB (object request broker) in the processing element. A CORBA location is assigned to the processing element with a host loader and stored in a memory in the processing element. Addresses of CORBA objects are acquired with the host loader and loaded in the memory. The processing element communicates with the CORBA objects using CORBA object addresses. The CORBA objects communicate with the processing element using the assigned CORBA location of the processing element. Data is loaded into the processing element with the host loader.