FPGA Resource Map for Placement Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional placement tools for programmable logic devices, such as FPGAs, often result in resource overlap and inefficient utilization due to difficulties in quantifying and managing the availability of device resources, especially when the number of components approaches the number of available sites, leading to suboptimal placement solutions.
Innovation Solution
A resource map is created to quantify site availability by initializing a two-dimensional array with initial availability values, considering locking and area constraints, and updating these values based on candidate site summations to prioritize component placement and minimize resource competition, thereby avoiding resource overlap and improving placement efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional placement tools are used to assign components to sites, then the placement process can be completed, but resource overlap and inefficient utilization occur leading to suboptimal placement solutions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing resource usage information in a resource map before the actual placement process. The resource map pre-identifies which sites are used by which resources, allowing the placement tool to query available resources efficiently without conflicts, thus preventing resource overlap before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The resource map serves as an intermediary data structure between the placement algorithm and the physical FPGA resources. It mediates the placement process by providing a simplified representation of resource availability, allowing the placer to make informed decisions about component placement while automatically avoiding resource conflicts through the intermediary layer.
2Quantity of substance
If the number of components approaches the number of available sites, then resource utilization increases, but difficulty in managing resource availability and avoiding overlap increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resource map is constructed in advance to pre-organize resource availability information. By pre-calculating which sites are occupied by which resources and storing this information in an accessible format, the system handles high-density placement scenarios efficiently without increasing management complexity during the actual placement process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the physical FPGA resource structure in the form of a resource map. This virtual representation copies the essential resource availability information in a manageable format, allowing complex resource management to be handled through queries on the simplified copy rather than direct management of the complex physical resource allocation.
3Loss of time
If conventional placement algorithms are used, then placement can be performed quickly, but resource overlap occurs degrading the quality of the overall placement solution
Solution Approach 1:
By pre-building the resource map with complete resource availability information before placement begins, the system enables rapid placement decisions without sacrificing accuracy. The preliminary preparation of resource information allows the placement algorithm to quickly query and allocate resources correctly, achieving both speed and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The resource map provides continuous feedback during the placement process about which resources are available and which are already allocated. This feedback mechanism allows the placement algorithm to make informed decisions at each step, ensuring high placement quality while maintaining efficiency through immediate access to current resource status.
Data Source
AI summary
The availability of device resources of an IC are quantified for a circuit design by building a representation of resource sites for the IC. Initial availability values are assigned to the resource sites, and any components having locking constraints are identified and placed into their respective sites. From the remaining resource sites, candidate sites for a component of the circuit design are identified. The candidate sites are summed, and the initial availability values of the candidate sites are modified according to the sum.