Programmable Logic Fast Boot Through Staged I/O Fabric Wakeup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Programmable logic devices (PLDs) face significant challenges in loading configuration data efficiently, leading to prolonged boot times, which can result in undesirable behavior such as flickering LEDs or delayed functionality, affecting user experience.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a fast boot technique that allows a portion of the input/output (I/O) fabric to provide functionality early by loading configuration data into designated I/O fabric memory cells and activating it before the entire PLD is configured, with optional security authentication using authentication certificates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If configuration data is loaded into the entire PLD before activation, then the PLD can provide full functionality, but the boot time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The PLD is divided into multiple banks of configuration memory, where select banks are configured and activated first to provide critical I/O functionality, while other banks are configured subsequently to provide remaining functionality. This segmentation allows the system to achieve partial functionality faster rather than waiting for complete configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
Configuration data for select banks is loaded into configuration memory before the PLD is activated, and these banks are activated first to provide I/O functionality. This preliminary action enables critical functions to be available immediately upon activation, reducing overall boot time while maintaining system reliability.
2Loss of time
If configuration data is loaded quickly into configuration memory, then boot time is reduced, but security authentication may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Authentication certificates are loaded into authentication memory before PLD activation, and authentication is performed on configuration data as it is being loaded into configuration memory. This preliminary authentication ensures security is verified before the configuration takes effect, maintaining security reliability while enabling fast boot through parallel processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication process continues throughout the configuration loading process rather than being a separate sequential step. Configuration data is authenticated as it is loaded into configuration memory, allowing the PLD to maintain security verification while minimizing additional time overhead through continuous parallel operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Various techniques are provided to implement fast boot for programmable logic devices (PLDs). In one example, a method includes receiving configuration data associated with a PLD. The PLD includes an array of configuration memory cells including logic block memory cells and input/output (I/O) block memory cells associated with the PLD's logic fabric and I/O fabric, respectively. The method further includes programming a subset of the I/O block memory cells with the configuration data, and providing a wakeup signal to activate functionality associated with a portion of the I/O fabric. The method further includes programming remaining configuration memory cells of the array with the configuration data, where the remaining configuration memory cells include at least a subset of the logic block memory cells. The method further includes providing a wakeup signal to activate functionality associated with at least a portion of the logic fabric. Related systems and devices are provided.