Automated HDL Generation for Network Packet Processors
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Solution Overview
Problem
The development of network packet processors is time-consuming and expensive due to the requirement of specialized knowledge from multiple fields of expertise, making rapid prototyping and iteration challenging.
Innovation Solution
A method for generating a hardware description language (HDL) specification of a network packet processor is provided, where three textual specifications are input to define handlers, ports, and behavioral constraints, allowing for the automatic generation of an HDL specification that can be used to implement the network packet processor efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a network packet processor is developed using traditional methods requiring multiple fields of expertise, then the implementation quality and reliability are improved, but the development time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system comprising a protocol specification parser and HDL code generator that acts as a mediator between protocol specifications and hardware implementations. This intermediary automatically translates protocol specifications into HDL code, eliminating the need for manual translation by experts in multiple fields while maintaining implementation quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing protocol specifications to automatically generate the corresponding hardware implementation code without requiring manual intervention from hardware designers. The protocol specification itself serves as the source material that automatically produces the HDL implementation through the parsing and generation processes.
2Manufacturing precision
If hardware implementation is manually created from protocol specifications, then the precision and correctness are improved, but the development complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of hardware design with an automated computational system. The protocol specification parser and HDL code generator automatically perform the translation from protocol specifications to hardware code, substituting human expert manual work with automated software processes that maintain correctness while reducing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates an automated copying process where the protocol specification is directly transformed into HDL code through systematic translation rules. This copying mechanism ensures that the implementation correctly reflects the specification without requiring manual reinterpretation, thereby maintaining precision while reducing development complexity.
3Productivity
If rapid prototyping is attempted without automated HDL generation, then the development speed is improved, but the quality and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing a complete and correct protocol specification before generation begins. The system ensures that the source protocol specification is thoroughly defined and validated before the automated parsing and code generation processes occur, which maintains reliability while enabling rapid subsequent prototyping and iteration.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods are provided for generating a hardware description language (HDL) specification of a network packet processor from a first, second, and third specification. The first specification specifies at least one handler of the network packet processor for processing input network packets and producing output network packets. Each handler processes a corresponding type of network packets and includes one or more actions for inspecting and modifying fields of the corresponding type of network packets. The second specification specifies a plurality of characteristics of a plurality of ports of the network packet processor. The characteristics include respective data widths of the ports. The ports include one or more input ports for receiving the input network packets and one or more output ports for transmitting the output network packets. The third specification specifies one or more behavioral constraints of the network packet processor.