Reconfigurable System Resource Allocation via Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Identifying operating modes in reconfigurable systems is time-consuming and difficult, and the reconfiguration infrastructure impacts the structure of embedded systems, requiring early identification during development.
Innovation Solution
A method for simulating the operation of a reconfigurable system over a time interval to determine active and inactive hardware functions, estimating circuit resource sets for subintervals, and storing information to optimize resource usage, allowing for efficient reconfiguration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the system implements all optional hardware functions simultaneously, then the system functionality is complete, but the circuit resources required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic reconfiguration of the system architecture based on operational requirements. The system transitions from a static design to a dynamic one where hardware functions can be activated or deactivated depending on the current operating mode, allowing the same physical resources to serve different purposes at different times without requiring all functions to be present simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The reconfigurable infrastructure is designed to support multiple hardware functions through a single unified platform. By implementing a universal reconfiguration mechanism, the system allows one set of physical resources to perform multiple different functions by changing their configuration, thereby eliminating the need for separate dedicated resources for each optional function.
2Ease of manufacture
If operating modes are identified early in development, then the reconfiguration infrastructure can be optimized, but the development process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary identification and classification of operating modes during the design phase. By pre-determining the set of possible operating modes and their associated hardware requirements, the system can prepare the reconfiguration infrastructure in advance with appropriate resource allocation and control mechanisms, making the overall development process more manageable despite the added complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system reconfigures frequently to adapt to different operating modes, then the system flexibility improves, but the reconfiguration overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reconfigurable infrastructure is segmented into distinct functional modules that can be independently controlled. Each module corresponds to a specific hardware function that can be activated or deactivated based on the current operating mode. This segmentation allows for more efficient reconfiguration by enabling only the necessary modules to be reactivated rather than requiring complete system reconfiguration, thereby reducing reconfiguration overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
Approaches for preparing a system that is reconfigurable to implement a plurality of optional hardware functions are disclosed. In one approach, a method includes simulating the operation of the system during a time interval. The system is reconfigurable to implement a subset of the optional hardware functions, and the simulating determines which of the optional hardware functions are active and which of the optional hardware functions are inactive during a plurality of subintervals of the time interval. Respective circuit resource sets are estimated for the subintervals of the time interval. For each of the subintervals, the respective circuit resource set implements the system including the optional hardware functions that are active during the subinterval. Information describing the respective circuit resource sets for the subintervals is stored for preparing partial reconfigurations of the system.