System, method and article of manufacture for software-designed internet reconfigurable hardware

• US 20030036895A1
• Filed: 01/29/2001
• Published: 02/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Celoxia Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Celoxia Ltd.
• Inventors: Appleby-Alis, John, Wilson, Alex
• Application Number:
  US09/772,534
• Publication Number:
  US 20030036895A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 703/20
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/7867 with reconfigurable architecture

Abstract

A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for network-based configuration of a programmable logic device. A default application is initiated on a programmable logic device. A file request for configuration data from the logic device is sent to a server located remotely from the logic device utilizing a network. The configuration data is received from the network server. The configuration data is used to configure the logic device to run a second application. The second application is run on the logic device.

Claims

1. A method for network-based configuration of a programmable logic device, comprising the steps of:

(a) initiating a default application on a programmable logic device;

(b) sending a file request for configuration data from the logic device to a server located remotely from the logic device utilizing a network;

(c) receiving the configuration data from the network server;

(d) utilizing the configuration data for configuring the logic device to run a second application; and

(e) running the second application on the logic device.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the configuration data is received in the form of a bitfile.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the logic device includes at least one Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA).

4. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein a first FPGA receives the configuration data, wherein the first FPGA configures a second FPGA utilizing the configuration data.

5. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein the logic device includes first and second FPGA'"'"'s that are clocked at different speeds.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the default application and the second application are both able to run simultaneously on the logic device.

7. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the logic device further includes at least one of a display screen, a touch screen, an audio chip, an Ethernet device, a parallel port, a serial port, a RAM bank, and a non-volatile memory.

8. A computer program product for network-based configuration of a programmable logic device, comprising:

(a) computer code for initiating a default application on a programmable logic device;

(b) computer code for sending a file request for configuration data from the logic device to a server located remotely from the logic device utilizing a network;

(c) computer code for receiving the configuration data from the network server;

(d) computer code for utilizing the configuration data for configuring the logic device to run a second application; and

(e) computer code for running the second application on the logic device.

9. A computer program product as recited in claim 8, wherein the configuration data is received in the form of a bitfile.

10. A computer program product as recited in claim 8, wherein the logic device includes at least one Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA).

11. A computer program product as recited in claim 10, wherein a first FPGA receives the configuration data, wherein the first FPGA configures a second FPGA utilizing the configuration data.

12. A computer program product as recited in claim 10, wherein the logic device includes first and second FPGA'"'"'s that are clocked at different speeds.

13. A computer program product as recited in claim 8, wherein the default application and the second application are both able to run simultaneously on the logic device.

14. A computer program product as recited in claim 8, wherein the logic device further includes at least one of a display screen, a touch screen, an audio chip, an Ethernet device, a parallel port, a serial port, a RAM bank, and a non-volatile memory.

15. A system for network-based configuration of a programmable logic device, comprising:

(a) logic for initiating a default application on a programmable logic device;

(b) logic for sending a file request for configuration data from the logic device to a server located remotely from the logic device utilizing a network;

(c) logic for receiving the configuration data from the network server;

(d) logic for utilizing the configuration data for configuring the logic device to run a second application; and

(e) logic for running the second application on the logic device.

16. A system as recited in claim 15, wherein the configuration data is received in the form of a bitfile.

17. A system as recited in claim 15, wherein the logic device includes at least one Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA).

18. A system as recited in claim 17, wherein a first FPGA receives the configuration data, wherein the first FPGA configures a second FPGA utilizing the configuration data.

19. A system as recited in claim 17, wherein the logic device includes first and second FPGA'"'"'s that are clocked at different speeds.

20. A system as recited in claim 15, wherein the default application and the second application are both able to run simultaneously on the logic device.

21. A system as recited in claim 15, wherein the logic device further includes at least one of a display screen, a touch screen, an audio chip, an Ethernet device, a parallel port, a serial port, a RAM bank, and a non-volatile memory.