PLD Partial Reconfiguration With Fixed Debug Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods of partial reconfiguration in programmable logic devices interfere with real-time debugging, causing severed connections and loss of signal visibility due to changes in the reconfigurable region's logic configuration.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a fixed interface, such as a port, between the reconfigurable and fixed regions of a programmable logic device to maintain constant connectivity and signal visibility, allowing in-system debugging tools to monitor signal behavior during partial reconfiguration by routing signals from probe points or an embedded logic analyzer through a signal interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If partial reconfiguration is implemented in a programmable logic device, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but connection stability and signal visibility deteriorate due to severed connections during reconfiguration
Solution Approach 1:
The programmable logic device is divided into a reconfigurable region and a fixed region. The fixed region contains stable interface structures (ports, signal interfaces) that remain unchanged during reconfiguration, while the reconfigurable region can be dynamically reconfigured. This segmentation allows adaptability in the reconfigurable region without affecting connection stability in the fixed region.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixed region acts as an intermediary between the reconfigurable region and the external debugging environment. It contains stable ports and signal interfaces that maintain constant connectivity, mediating between the changing reconfigurable logic and the stable external debugging tools, thus preserving connection stability during reconfiguration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If partial reconfiguration is implemented, then device functionality is improved, but debugging capability deteriorates due to loss of signal visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into reconfigurable and fixed regions, with the fixed region containing dedicated debugging interfaces and signal interfaces that remain stable. This allows debugging tools to maintain signal visibility through the fixed region even while the reconfigurable region changes functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixed region serves multiple functions: it provides stable interface connections, maintains signal visibility for debugging, and supports various reconfiguration scenarios. The same fixed interface structures serve both operational and debugging purposes simultaneously, enabling debugging capability to be preserved across different functional configurations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If reconfigurable region logic changes, then adaptability is improved, but signal interface connectivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device architecture segments connectivity functions into the fixed region, where stable ports and signal interfaces are located. These fixed interface structures maintain reliable connections regardless of changes in the reconfigurable region's logic, ensuring signal interface connectivity reliability is decoupled from reconfiguration activities.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixed region's stable ports and signal interfaces act as intermediaries that buffer against the effects of reconfiguration. They provide a stable connection layer between the changing reconfigurable logic and the external environment, ensuring that signal interface connectivity remains reliable even as the reconfigurable region's functionality changes.
Data Source
AI summary
Embedded logic is implemented in a partially reconfigurable programmable logic device (PLD), thus allowing debugging of implemented instantiations of logic after partial reconfiguration. Several instantiations of logic are received at the PLD. One instantiation of logic is implemented in a reconfigurable region of logic within the PLD. The instantiation of logic includes a port that provides a constant interface between the reconfigurable region of logic and a fixed region of logic within the PLD. The port may receive signals from probe points implemented within the reconfigurable region of logic. The port may provide the signals to a signal interface implemented within a fixed region of logic. Furthermore, an embedded logic analyzer may be implemented in either the reconfigurable region of logic or the fixed region of logic. The embedded logic analyzer receives signals from the probe points and provides signal visibility to an external computing system.