Hardened IP Core Dynamic Reconfiguration via Profile Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern integrated circuits, such as FPGAs, have limited ability to dynamically reconfigure hardened IP blocks at runtime, leading to time-consuming, error-prone, and complicated processes due to the need for manual inspection and iteration in modifying hardware description language (HDL) code.
Innovation Solution
A platform and method for reconfiguring hardened IP blocks using high-level HDL coding, allowing designers to create configuration profiles that are mapped to register settings, enabling efficient transitions between logic functions without manual reconfiguration logic writing, through a design software program that generates reconfiguration logic and stores parameter configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual inspection and iteration of HDL code is used to modify hardened IP blocks, then reconfiguration flexibility is improved, but reconfiguration time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary tool flow that automatically generates reconfiguration logic from high-level specifications. This intermediary layer translates designer intent into optimized reconfiguration sequences without requiring manual HDL code inspection, thereby maintaining flexibility while reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-generating reconfiguration logic templates and validation rules during tool flow setup. Common reconfiguration patterns are prepared in advance, allowing rapid instantiation during actual reconfiguration operations without repeated manual inspection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual inspection and iteration of HDL code is used to modify hardened IP blocks, then reconfiguration flexibility is improved, but error rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the tool flow automatically validates reconfiguration logic against specification constraints and provides error feedback to the designer. This closed-loop validation system catches errors early and ensures reconfiguration correctness without requiring extensive manual inspection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically generating and validating reconfiguration logic without human intervention. The tool flow includes built-in verification that autonomously checks for errors and ensures compliance with IP block specifications, eliminating human-induced errors.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual inspection and iteration of HDL code is used to modify hardened IP blocks, then reconfiguration capability is improved, but implementation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the reconfiguration process into distinct automated stages: specification parsing, logic generation, validation, and implementation. Each stage is handled independently by the tool flow, reducing the complexity burden on the designer while maintaining comprehensive reconfiguration capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of manual HDL code inspection and modification with an automated software-based tool flow. This substitution eliminates the need for designers to manually navigate complex HDL code structures, significantly reducing implementation complexity while preserving full reconfiguration capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for reconfiguration of a hardened intellectual property (IP) block in an integrated circuit (IC) device are provided. Reconfiguration of the hardened IP block in the IC device may transition between functions supported by the hardened IP block. A transition may occur as a pre-configured profile is selected to reconfigure the hardened IP block. Further, configuration data associated with each of the pre-configured profiles of the hardened IP block may be generated and storage space to store the configuration data may be created. Additionally, reconfiguration control logic to read and implement the configuration data in hard IP design primitives may also be generated.