Programmable Logic Netlist Retargeting for Device Migration

Solution Overview

Problem

Configuration bitstreams for programmable logic devices are not interchangeable between different devices or models, leading to delays and additional costs in generating separate bitstreams, which can hinder device migration and impact performance.

Innovation Solution

A method involving generating a netlist associated with a circuit design, performing an initial targeting function, and using a re-targeting function to configure programmable logic devices, allowing the same design to be implemented across different devices by providing additional information such as timing and location data to simplify placement and routing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate configuration bitstreams are generated for different programmable logic devices, then device compatibility is improved, but development time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoiddevelopment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary placement and routing on a source device to generate a netlist with design information before device migration. This pre-computed netlist serves as a reusable intermediate representation that can be targeted to multiple destination devices, eliminating the need to perform complete placement and routing separately for each device type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a netlist as an intermediary data structure between the source device configuration and destination device implementation. The netlist contains essential design information (logic blocks, interconnections, timing constraints) that can be processed by different destination devices, serving as a universal intermediate format that enables cross-device compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate configuration bitstreams are generated for different programmable logic devices, then device compatibility is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary placement and routing on a source device to generate a netlist with design information before device migration. This pre-computed netlist serves as a reusable intermediate representation that can be targeted to multiple destination devices, eliminating the need to perform complete placement and routing separately for each device type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal netlist representation that can serve multiple destination devices across different families and models. The netlist contains abstracted design information that is device-agnostic, allowing the same netlist to be processed by various programmable logic devices through automated re-targeting, thereby reducing the need for device-specific configuration work.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If device migration is performed without a standardized netlist approach, then implementation flexibility is maintained, but migration complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplementation flexibilityVSAvoidmigration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a netlist as an intermediary data structure between the source device configuration and destination device implementation. The netlist contains essential design information (logic blocks, interconnections, timing constraints) that can be processed by different destination devices, serving as a universal intermediate format that enables cross-device compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables automated re-targeting of the netlist to different destination devices by changing relevant parameters such as device family, model, and architecture characteristics. The system automatically adjusts the netlist interpretation and configuration generation based on the target device parameters, simplifying the migration process while maintaining implementation flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS7979827B1Device having programmable resources and a method of configuring a device having programmable resources

Publication Date: 2011.07.12 XILINX INC

AI summary

A method of configuring a device having programmable logic is disclosed. The method comprises generating a netlist associated with a circuit design; coupling the netlist to the device having programmable logic; performing a re-targeting function using a circuit on the device having programmable logic; generating configuration bits for configuring the programmable logic; and configuring the programmable logic to implement the circuit design according to the configuration bits based upon the netlist and results of the re-targeting function.