Reconfigurable Hardware Virtual System-on-Chip Instances

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing host systems with hypervisor capabilities face limitations due to fixed and vulnerable hardware resources, leading to performance degradation and security vulnerabilities.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of reconfigurable hardware devices (RHDs) to instantiate virtual System-on-Chip (vSoC) instances, which allows for concurrent execution of multiple vSoC instances on a single RHD, providing virtualized hardware resources and enhancing security and performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If hypervisor capabilities are implemented on fixed hardware resources, then virtual machines can be created with different operating systems and hardware peripherals, but hardware vulnerabilities and performance degradation occur due to fixed circuitry

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehardware adaptabilityVSAvoidhardware security
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by replacing fixed hardware resources with reconfigurable hardware devices that can dynamically change their physical characteristics and circuitry configuration. This allows the hardware to adapt to different virtual machine requirements while eliminating vulnerabilities associated with fixed circuitry, as the reconfigurable nature enables continuous updates and reconfiguration without physical replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by enabling the reconfigurable hardware devices to modify their physical characteristics and operational parameters. This allows the hardware resources to be reconfigured for different virtualization needs, changing their properties dynamically rather than being fixed, thereby improving both adaptability and security through configurable updates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If main processors and hardware resources are used for virtualization, then general purpose computing is enabled, but performance degradation occurs through hardware bugs and component aging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevirtualization performanceVSAvoidhardware reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies copying by creating virtual instances of hardware resources through reconfigurable hardware devices. Instead of relying on physical hardware that degrades over time, the system creates configurable virtual representations that can be instantiated, cloned, and replaced without physical wear, thereby maintaining high performance and reliability in virtualized environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses dynamics to enable the hardware resources to be reconfigured and reassigned dynamically. This allows the system to optimize performance for specific virtualization workloads by reconfiguring the reconfigurable hardware devices, avoiding the performance degradation inherent in fixed hardware that cannot adapt to changing computational demands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If hardware resources are made permanent and fixed, then physical stability is maintained, but security vulnerabilities arise from un-patchable hardware flaws

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehardware stabilityVSAvoidhardware vulnerabilities
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the hardware resources changeable rather than fixed. The reconfigurable hardware devices can be dynamically updated and reconfigured, allowing security patches and updates to be applied without replacing physical hardware. This maintains stability through continuous operation while eliminating the un-patchable vulnerability of fixed hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes that enable the hardware to be reconfigured and updated. By changing the configuration parameters and circuitry of the reconfigurable hardware devices, the system can apply security updates and patches while maintaining operational stability, thereby removing the harmful effect of un-patchable hardware flaws.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If reconfigurable hardware devices are used to instantiate virtual System-on-Chip instances, then dynamic reconfiguration and security are enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehardware reconfigurabilityVSAvoidhardware complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the reconfigurable hardware into modular components and instances. Instead of a single complex reconfigurable system, the hardware is segmented into multiple virtual System-on-Chip instances that can be independently configured and managed. This reduces the complexity of individual components while maintaining overall reconfigurability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses nesting by placing virtual instances within the reconfigurable hardware framework. The virtual System-on-Chip instances are nested within the reconfigurable hardware devices, allowing multiple levels of virtualization and configuration. This nested structure manages complexity by organizing reconfigurable resources in hierarchical layers, making the system more manageable despite the advanced reconfigurability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS20250053437A1Systems and methods for providing virtual system on chip (VSOC) instances
Publication Date: 2025.02.13 BATTELLE MEMORIAL INST
  • US20250053437A1 patent drawing
  • US20250053437A1 patent drawing
  • US20250053437A1 patent drawing

AI summary

In an approach to providing virtualized hardware resources, one or more reconfigurable hardware devices (RHDs) are configured to instantiate a first virtual System-on-Chip (vSoC) instance of one or more vSoC instances, the first vSOC instance implementing at least one virtualized system component.