PLD Hardware Block Model Merging for Configuration Flexibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for configuring embedded hardware in programmable logic devices are cumbersome, complex, and lack portability, often leading to unintended interoperation issues between hardware resources and programmable logic blocks.

Innovation Solution

A user-configurable approach that generates multiple models of hardware blocks, merging configuration information for specific instances of hardware modules to create a combined model, allowing efficient configuration without redundancy or resource conflicts, using a graphical user interface and external system to manage and interconnect hardware modules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If embedded hardware and programmable logic blocks are configured in a shared HDL hierarchy, then configuration flexibility is improved, but complexity and validation time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoidHDL hierarchy complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the configuration process into separate, independent HDL hierarchies - one for embedded hardware blocks and another for programmable logic blocks. Each hierarchy can be configured and validated independently, then integrated through a standardized interface. This segmentation reduces overall complexity while maintaining configuration flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a standardized interface layer that acts as an intermediary between the embedded hardware configuration and programmable logic configuration. This intermediary layer handles the integration complexity, allowing both hierarchies to be configured independently while ensuring proper interoperability through defined communication protocols and interface standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple embedded hardware resources are implemented as a shared block, then resource utilization is improved, but interoperation reliability decreases due to configuration conflicts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource sharing capabilityVSAvoidinteroperation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by allowing each embedded hardware resource within the shared block to have its own specific configuration parameters and interface definitions. Each resource can be independently configured with tailored settings while still adhering to the overall block interface standards, ensuring that local customization does not compromise global interoperation reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a validation and verification mechanism that provides feedback during the configuration process. The system checks for configuration conflicts between shared hardware resources and programmable logic blocks, alerting users to potential interoperation issues before implementation. This feedback loop ensures reliability by preventing conflicting configurations from being deployed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of manufacture

If vendor-provided logic is used to interface between embedded hardware and programmable logic blocks, then integration capability is improved, but configuration portability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration capabilityVSAvoidconfiguration portability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal, standardized interface layer that can work with multiple vendor-provided logic implementations. Rather than being tied to a specific vendor's proprietary interface logic, the system defines general-purpose interface standards that can accommodate different vendor implementations. This universality maintains integration capability while enabling portability across different vendor ecosystems and application scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9710578B2Configuration of selected modules of a hardware block within a programmable logic device

Publication Date: 2017.07.18 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Various techniques are provided to configure embedded hardware resources of a programmable logic device (PLD). In one example, a method includes receiving configuration information for a plurality of hardware modules of an embedded hardware block of a PLD. The configuration information is received from a user of a computer system external to the PLD. The method also includes generating a plurality of models of the hardware block. The method also includes merging the generated models into a combined model of the hardware block. The combined model includes the configuration information received for the hardware modules of the hardware block. Related systems and additional techniques are also provided.