Inline Configuration Processing with Distributed CIM Parallelism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional centralized configuration managers for programmable IC devices with heterogeneous subsystems become bottlenecks during configuration and initialization, leading to inefficiencies and increased complexity due to the size and heterogeneous nature of programming images.

Innovation Solution

A distributed configuration system using configuration interface manager (CIM) circuits that receive configuration packets over a packet-switched network-on-chip (NoC) and provide configuration parameters to respective regions in parallel, with a centralized management system distributing configuration packets to CIMs at a line rate.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a traditional centralized configuration manager is used to configure programmable IC devices with heterogeneous subsystems, then a unified configuration interface is maintained, but configuration and initialization times become excessively long and the system becomes a bottleneck

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration speedVSAvoidconfiguration system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The configuration system is segmented into multiple distributed Configuration Interface Manager (CIM) circuits, each responsible for specific subsystems or regions. This divides the monolithic centralized configuration manager into smaller parallel units that can process configuration data simultaneously, thereby increasing configuration speed while maintaining manageable complexity through modular organization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The configuration architecture transitions from a single-dimensional centralized hierarchy to a multi-dimensional distributed network. CIM circuits are distributed across different dimensions (subsystems, regions, or dies) and connected through a network infrastructure, enabling parallel configuration operations across multiple dimensions simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of time

If configuration parameters are provided sequentially through a centralized manager, then system simplicity is maintained, but configuration and initialization times increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration timeVSAvoidconfiguration interface simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Configuration data is segmented into separate partitions, with each partition directed to specific CIM circuits. This segmentation enables parallel processing of configuration data across multiple CIM units, dramatically reducing total configuration time while maintaining interface simplicity through standardized partition delivery mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple CIM circuits operate continuously and simultaneously to process different configuration partitions in parallel. This continuous parallel operation eliminates idle time and ensures that all configuration activities proceed concurrently, maximizing configuration throughput without complicating the overall interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If a centralized configuration manager handles large heterogeneous programming images, then unified management is achieved, but the manager becomes a performance bottleneck

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinitialization speedVSAvoidprogramming image size

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Large heterogeneous programming images are automatically segmented into smaller partitions that can be distributed to multiple CIM circuits. Each CIM processes a specific partition in parallel, reducing the processing burden on any single unit and enabling faster overall initialization despite the large total image size

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple CIM circuits work in unison to process different portions of the programming image simultaneously. By merging the processing capabilities of multiple parallel units, the system achieves high-speed initialization of large programming images that would be overwhelming for a single centralized manager

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12499076B2Inline configuration processor

Publication Date: 2025.12.16 XILINX INC

AI summary

An integrated circuit (IC) device includes functional circuitry and distributed management circuitry that includes multiple configuration interface manager (CIM) circuits that receive respective programming partitions as configuration packets over a first communication channel (e.g., a network-on-chip, or NoC), and perform management operations on respective regions of the functional circuitry in parallel with one another based on the respective configuration packets, including providing configuration parameters to the respective regions of the functional circuitry. The configuration packets may be streamed to the CIM circuits from a central manager and/or read by direct memory access (DMA) engines of the CIM circuits. The central manager may configure the CIM circuits and the NoC over a second communication channel (e.g., a global communication ring interconnect) during an initialization phase. The CIM circuits may include respective packet processors, random-access-memory, authentication circuitry, error detection circuitry, and interconnect circuitry having standardized bus-widths.