Internal ROM Configuration for Logic Devices Without External Flash
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Solution Overview
Problem
Logic devices, such as PLDs and FPGAs, rely on external flash memory for configuration images, which increases system cost and power consumption and may compromise the integrity of factory-provided settings.
Innovation Solution
Storing compressed configuration images in a non-reprogrammable internal ROM of an integrated circuit, allowing a control block to select and decompress them using mode select pins, while optionally receiving additional configuration information from external sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If configuration images are stored in external flash memory, then configuration flexibility is improved, but system cost and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the configuration storage function with the logic device by integrating an internal ROM within the same chip. This merging eliminates the need for separate external flash memory, thereby reducing system cost and component count while maintaining configuration capability through the integrated ROM that stores configuration images internally.
Solution Approach 2:
The control block is designed to support multiple configuration sources including internal ROM and external flash memory. This multi-functionality allows the system to use internal ROM for cost-sensitive applications while retaining the option to use external flash memory when configuration flexibility is required, thus addressing both cost reduction and adaptability needs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If configuration images are stored in external flash memory, then configuration flexibility is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the configuration storage into the internal ROM of the logic device, the system eliminates the need for external flash memory operations during normal operation. This integration reduces power consumption as internal ROM access requires significantly less energy compared to external memory access, while still providing configuration capability through the embedded storage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If configuration images are stored in external flash memory, then configuration options are preserved, but integrity of factory-provided settings is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the configuration storage into two distinct parts: internal ROM for storing integrity-critical factory-provided configuration images and external flash memory for optional user-provided configurations. This segmentation ensures that factory settings stored in the internal ROM maintain their integrity and cannot be accidentally modified, while still allowing users to load alternative configurations from external sources when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Different quality requirements are applied to different configuration sources. The internal ROM provides high reliability and integrity protection for factory-provided settings, while the external flash memory interface provides high flexibility for user configurations. This local quality approach ensures that each configuration source meets the specific requirements of its intended use case.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for using an internal read only memory (ROM) to configure a logic device are described. The ROM and the logic device may be located on a single chip. The ROM may be adapted to store highly compressed configuration images and be non-reprogrammable. The logic device may be configured based on the compressed configuration image.