System for reconfiguring a processor array
View Patent ↗Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system for reconfiguring a processor array while it is currently operating. The reconfiguration system uses configuration chains streamed down communication channels that are set for the re-configuration process, then re-set after the reconfiguration process has completed.
1. A system for reconfiguring elements in a multi-element processor array, comprising:
a series of processors;
a programmable connection network linking the series of processors by communication channels;
a reconfiguration operator operable on a first processor and structured to receive a reconfiguration command and retrieve a reconfiguration stream;
a configuration stream operator structured to parse the reconfiguration stream into a local component and components for subsequent processors; and
a network reconfigurator operable on the first processor and structured to use a portion of the local component to program the connection network into a reconfiguration network.
2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a hold process structured to prevent data from passing through at least one of the communication channels.
3. The system of claim 2 , in which the at least one of the communication channels is upstream from the first processor.
4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a flush process structured to remove data passing through at least one of the communication channels.
5. The system of claim 1 in which the communication channels comprise at least one a protocol register in each of the communication channels.
6. The system of claim 1 , in which the network reconfigurator is also structured to reprogram the connection network into an operating network.
7. A method for re-configuring elements in a multi-element processor array that is already presently operating, comprising:
acquiring reconfiguration data;
coupling individual processors through communication channels set as reconfiguration channels;
loading local reconfiguration data into a local processor;
sending downstream reconfiguration data to downstream processors across the reconfiguration channels; and
after receiving an indication that the downstream processors have been reconfigured, setting the communication channels to be execution channels.
8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
receiving a request to reconfigure the processor array.
9. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
accessing an external memory that stores the reconfiguration data.
10. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
after the indication has been received that the downstream processors have been reconfigured, starting the local processor.
11. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
removing from the reconfiguration data configuration components for an associated memory processor; and
passing the configuration components for an associated memory processor to the associated memory processor.
12. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
issuing a hold command to prevent data from passing through at least one of the communication channels.
13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
issuing a flush command to cause at least one of the communication channels to remove data.