Integrated Circuit State Access Without Halting Execution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for accessing storage circuits in integrated circuits, such as programmable logic devices, often require application execution to be stopped for read and write operations, are slow, and may not allow direct access to all storage circuits, affecting timing and resource utilization, especially during debugging or fault injection processes.
Innovation Solution
A control circuit that operates in two modes to perform access operations on storage circuits via configuration resources, enabling independent read and write access without halting the application, using address and data registers to program configuration memory bits and manage access to storage circuits, including fault injection capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If application execution is stopped for read and write operations on storage circuits, then access operations can be performed, but productivity and timing are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the access paths to storage circuits by introducing separate configuration resources independent of the application execution path. This allows read and write operations to occur through dedicated configuration interfaces without interfering with application execution, resolving the contradiction between access capability and execution continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces configuration resources as intermediary structures that mediate access to storage circuits. These configuration resources provide a separate interface for read and write operations, allowing applications to execute normally while enabling independent access to storage circuits through the configuration path.
2Adaptability or versatility
If configuration resources are used for access operations, then direct access to all storage circuits is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes configuration resources multi-functional by enabling them to serve both traditional configuration purposes and application-independent access operations. The same configuration resources are used for programming, debugging, and runtime access, reducing the need for separate dedicated structures and managing complexity through resource sharing.
3Measurement precision
If separate access paths are created for debugging and operation, then diagnostic capabilities are enhanced, but resource utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where configuration resources are dynamically shared between application execution and access operations. The system can switch between modes (configuration mode and user mode) to allocate resources appropriately, allowing debugging and operational resources to be multiplexed without permanent duplication, thus maintaining efficiency while enhancing diagnostic capabilities.
Data Source
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AI summary
In a first mode, a control circuit may implement a circuit design with storage circuits in an integrated circuit by programming configuration memory bits via configuration resources. The storage circuits may be accessed for read and write operations during the execution of the circuit design implementation with the integrated circuit. In a second mode, the control circuit may perform read and write access operations at the storage circuits via configuration resources or via an interface circuit and interconnect resources that are allocated to the circuit design implementation. Typical applications for performing access operations at the storage circuits include fault injection and observation, statistical monitoring of the circuit design, initialization and the distribution of certain signals such as reset signals, event sampling, just to name a few.