Programmable Fabric Offloading for Faster Processor Extension

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Solution Overview

Problem

Integrated circuits (ICs) face challenges in efficiently extending processor systems due to limitations in programmable fabric capabilities, leading to suboptimal performance in executing program code and implementing processes.

Innovation Solution

The method involves offloading processes from the processor system to process-specific circuits within the programmable fabric, leveraging the capabilities of the programmable fabric to perform tasks such as process-specific implementations, which can reduce latency and energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If processes are executed using the processor system (PS) in traditional manner, then the processor can handle general-purpose computing tasks, but execution speed is slower and power consumption is higher

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess execution speedVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the computing system into two distinct parts: the processor system (PS) for general-purpose control and process management, and process-specific circuits (PSCs) embedded in the programmable fabric for dedicated process execution. This segmentation allows critical processes to run in hardware with faster speed and lower power consumption while the PS handles orchestration and less time-critical tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/software-based process execution in the processor system with hardware-based process-specific circuits implemented in the programmable fabric. This substitution of hardware circuits for software execution significantly improves execution speed and reduces power consumption for specific processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If more programmable fabric resources are used to implement process-specific circuits, then process execution efficiency improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess execution efficiencyVSAvoidprogrammable fabric complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The programmable fabric serves multiple functions: it implements process-specific circuits for dedicated process execution, maintains configurability for different process implementations, and provides interconnect resources. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware resource to serve both specialized process execution and general reconfiguration needs, improving productivity without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically configures the programmable fabric to implement different process-specific circuits based on runtime requirements. Configuration data can be loaded to reconfigure the fabric for different processes, allowing the system to adapt to varying computational needs while maintaining a unified hardware resource pool.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9135213B2Extending a processor system within an integrated circuit and offloading processes to process-specific circuits

Publication Date: 2015.09.15 XILINX INC

AI summary

A method of extending a processor system within an integrated circuit (IC) can include executing program code within the processor system implemented within the IC, wherein the IC includes a programmable fabric. The processor system further can be coupled to the programmable fabric. A process can be performed using a process-specific circuit implemented within the programmable fabric in lieu of using the processor system. A result of the process from the process-specific circuit can be made available to the processor system.