LUTRAM Access via Global Emulation Request Signal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Programmable integrated circuits face challenges in efficiently accessing and modifying the internal states of memory elements during hardware emulation, which is necessary for debugging and prototyping ASIC designs, often requiring partial reconfiguration and increasing software complexity.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of hardware emulation control circuitry that allows for rapid switching between functional and emulation modes using a global emulation request signal, eliminating the need for partial reconfiguration and improving access time to internal states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hardware emulation is performed on programmable integrated circuits, then debugging and prototyping capability is improved, but access time to internal states of memory elements increases and software complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control mechanism by introducing a dedicated global emulation request signal that specifically targets memory element access during emulation mode, separating this function from the normal operational control paths. This segmentation enables direct, rapid access to internal states without traversing complex software interfaces or requiring partial reconfiguration sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary control signal (global emulation request signal) that mediates between the emulation system and the memory elements. This intermediary enables direct control and access during emulation without requiring changes to the underlying memory architecture or configuration, thereby reducing access time while maintaining full debugging capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If partial reconfiguration is used to access memory elements during emulation, then access capability is improved, but device complexity and software complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the memory access function from the complex partial reconfiguration mechanism by implementing a dedicated global emulation request signal path. This extraction allows memory elements to be accessed directly during emulation without triggering reconfiguration sequences, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving full access capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The global emulation request signal serves multiple functions: it enables rapid access to internal states, maintains wrapper logic operation, and works across different memory element types without requiring mode switching or reconfiguration. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized reconfiguration mechanisms.
3Productivity
If rapid switching between functional and emulation modes is implemented, then emulation efficiency is improved, but control signal complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through the global emulation request signal, which is asserted periodically or as needed to switch between functional and emulation modes. This periodic control mechanism enables rapid mode switching without requiring complex control logic, as the same signal can be toggled on and off to enter and exit emulation state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control through the global emulation request signal, allowing the system to transition between functional and emulation modes on-the-fly without fixed timing or complex state machines. This dynamic approach enables rapid switching while keeping control signal complexity low, as the signal adapts to emulation needs rather than following a rigid control sequence.
Data Source
AI summary
Programmable integrated circuits may be used to perform hardware emulation of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) design. The ASIC design may be loaded onto the programmable integrated circuit as a device under test (DUT). During hardware emulation operations, an emulation host may be used to coordinate testing of the DUT on the programmable device. In particular, the programmable device may include configurable memory elements such as lookup-table random-access memory (LUTRAM) elements that are operable in a LUT mode and a memory mode. An emulation controller may be used to dynamically assert a global emulation request signal, which forces each LUTRAM element that belong to the DUT in the LUT mode, thereby allowing the emulation host to readily access their internal states without having to perform partial reconfiguration.