Multiconfiguration module for hardware platforms
View Patent ↗A multiconfiguration module (MCM) includes a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a memory flash, and a complex programmable logic device (CPLD). Hardware interfaces between the concerned components and the use of a raw FPGA configuration data stream (representing a part of FPGA code which should be common to all streams) are discussed. The raw configuration data stream handles communications between a user application running on the host system and the hardware platform components. The user application has the capability to load a new configuration data stream into the memory flash and request a full or partial reconfiguration of the FPGA with the available configuration data stream. This results in an FPGA that is re-programmable on-demand and that is useable in a variety of hardware platforms such as, for example, RAIT.
1. A multiconfiguration module (MCM) for use in a hardware platform for a host system, the module comprising:
a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) programmed with a raw configuration data stream which handles communications between a user application running on the host system and the hardware platform;
a memory flash operative to receive a new configuration data stream when dictated by the user application to allow the user application to request reconfiguration of the FPGA with the new configuration data stream; and
a complex programmable logic device (CPLD) associated to the flash memory for programming the FPGA, the CPLD having control over the memory flash and FPGA to initiate programming of the FPGA with the new configuration data stream from the memory flash.
2. The multiconfiguration module of claim 1 wherein the memory flash allows storing of a plurality of different configuration data streams.
3. The multiconfiguration module of claim 1 wherein each configuration data stream includes a host interface, a memory flash interface, a CPLD control interface, a configuration interface.
4. The multiconfiguration module of claim 3 wherein at least one of the configuration data streams further includes an encapsulated application which integrates the included interfaces.
5. The multiconfiguration module of claim 4 wherein the encapsulated application is a redundant array of independent tapes (RAIT) application.
6. A hardware platform for a host system, the hardware platform comprising:
a multiconfiguration module including a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a memory flash, and a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), wherein the FPGA is programmed with a raw configuration data stream which handles communications between a user application running on the host system and the hardware platform, wherein the memory flash is operative to receive a new configuration data stream when dictated by the user application to allow the user application to request reconfiguration of the FPGA with the new configuration data stream, and wherein the CPLD is associated to the flash memory for programming the FPGA, the CPLD having control over the memory flash and FPGA to initiate programming of the FPGA with the new configuration data stream from the memory flash.
7. The hardware platform of claim 6 wherein the memory flash allows storing of a plurality of different configuration data streams.
8. The hardware platform of claim 6 wherein each configuration data stream includes a host interface, a memory flash interface, a CPLD control interface, a configuration interface.
9. The hardware platform of claim 8 wherein at least one of the configuration data streams further includes an encapsulated application which integrates the included interfaces.
10. The hardware platform of claim 9 wherein the encapsulated application is a redundant array of independent tapes (RAIT) application.