Virtual File System for PLD Configuration Data Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interfaces for accessing configuration data of programmable logic devices (PLDs) are low-level and complex, making them unsuitable for developers who need to reconfigure PLDs during runtime, leading to issues with scheduling, reliability, and cost.
Innovation Solution
A virtual file system is implemented to provide a hierarchical directory and file structure, allowing access to PLD configuration data through standard system calls, which abstracts the complexity of configuration controllers and enables local and network access, supporting revision control and archiving.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If low-level interfaces (SelectMap, boundary scan, ICAP) are used to access PLD configuration data, then direct access to configuration data is achieved, but the interface complexity increases and developer familiarity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
A virtual file system is introduced as an intermediary layer between the PLD configuration controller and the developer's application. This virtual file system translates high-level file system calls into low-level configuration access operations, hiding the complexity of the underlying interfaces while maintaining reliable access to configuration data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual representation (copy) of the PLD configuration data organized in a file system hierarchy. This virtual file system maintains a hierarchy of directories and files that map to actual PLD resources, allowing developers to interact with a simplified abstraction rather than the complex low-level interfaces directly.
2Ease of operation
If low-level interfaces are used for configuration access, then direct manipulation of configuration data is possible, but scheduling and reliability issues arise for runtime reconfiguration
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual file system acts as a mediator that manages access to PLD configuration data during runtime reconfiguration. It handles scheduling of configuration operations and ensures reliable access by translating file system operations into controlled configuration manipulations, isolating the complexity from the application layer.
3Ease of operation
If standard file system routines are used to access PLD data, then developer familiarity and ease of use improve, but the abstraction layer must be implemented to manage complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a virtual file system that creates a simplified copy of the PLD configuration data structure. This virtual hierarchy presents a familiar file system interface to developers while internally mapping to the actual PLD resources, absorbing the complexity in the abstraction layer rather than exposing it to users.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus are described for providing access to data in a programmable logic device (PLD). A hierarchy of directories and files are maintained in a virtual file system, which is registered with an operating system. The directories and files are associated with resources of a PLD. In response to program calls to file system routines that reference files associated with resources of the PLD, the virtual file system is invoked, and the virtual file system accesses state information in resources of the PLD.