Method and apparatus for controlling the partial reconfiguration of a field programmable gate array
First Claim
1. A method for partially reconfiguring an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs) arranged in a plurality of rows and columns, the method comprising the steps of:
- connecting each column of CLBs to a corresponding column select line;
connecting each row of CLBs to a corresponding row select line;
selecting a rectangular set of CLBs to be reconfigured, wherein the rectangular set of CLBs is defined by the intersection of one or more consecutive columns of CLBs and one or more consecutive rows of CLBs;
asserting column select signals on the column select lines associated with the one or more consecutive columns of CLBs;
asserting row select signals on the row select lines associated with the one or more consecutive rows of CLBs; and
enabling reconfiguration circuits within each CLB which receives both an asserted column select signal and an asserted row select signal;
wherein the step of asserting the column select signals further comprises the steps of;
asserting a first column select signal on a first column select line;
propagating the first column select signal to one or more consecutive column select lines; and
generating a control signal for stopping the propagation of the first column select signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A field programmable gate array (FPGA) having an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs) which can be partially reconfigured. Each column of CLBs is connected to a corresponding column select line, and each row of CLBs is connected to a corresponding row select line. A rectangular set of CLBs to be reconfigured is selected, wherein the rectangular set of CLBs is defined by the intersection of one or more consecutive columns of CLBs and one or more consecutive rows of CLBs. Column select signals are asserted on the column select lines associated with the one or more consecutive columns of CLBs. Similarly, row select signals are asserted on the row select lines associated with the one or more consecutive rows of CLBs. CLBs which receive both an asserted column select signal and an asserted row select signal are enabled for reconfiguration.
93 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for partially reconfiguring an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs) arranged in a plurality of rows and columns, the method comprising the steps of:
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connecting each column of CLBs to a corresponding column select line; connecting each row of CLBs to a corresponding row select line; selecting a rectangular set of CLBs to be reconfigured, wherein the rectangular set of CLBs is defined by the intersection of one or more consecutive columns of CLBs and one or more consecutive rows of CLBs; asserting column select signals on the column select lines associated with the one or more consecutive columns of CLBs; asserting row select signals on the row select lines associated with the one or more consecutive rows of CLBs; and enabling reconfiguration circuits within each CLB which receives both an asserted column select signal and an asserted row select signal; wherein the step of asserting the column select signals further comprises the steps of; asserting a first column select signal on a first column select line; propagating the first column select signal to one or more consecutive column select lines; and generating a control signal for stopping the propagation of the first column select signal. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A method of reconfiguring a field programmable gate array having an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs), the method comprising the steps of:
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selecting a block of CLBs within the array of CLBs for reconfiguration, the block of CLBs being defined by one or more consecutive rows beginning with a first row and ending with a second row, and one or more consecutive columns beginning with a first column and ending with a second column; addressing the first row to generate a row select signal which is asserted at the first row and propagates toward the second row; addressing the first column to generate a column select signal which is asserted at the first column and propagates toward the second column; addressing the row immediately following the second row, thereby stopping the propagation of the row select signal at the second row; addressing the column immediately following the second column, thereby stopping the propagation of the column select signal at the second column; and reconfiguring each CLB which receives both the column select signal and the row select signal.
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4. A field programmable gate array (FPGA) comprising:
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an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs) arranged in a plurality of rows and columns, wherein each of the CLBs includes a reconfiguration circuit for reconfiguring the CLB, and an enabling circuit for enabling the reconfiguration circuit; a plurality of column select lines, wherein each of the column select lines is coupled to each of the enabling circuits in a corresponding column of the CLBs; a plurality of row select lines, wherein each of the row select lines is coupled to each of the enabling circuits in a corresponding row of the CLBs; a column select circuit coupled to each of the column select lines, wherein the column select circuit comprises a plurality of cascaded exclusive OR gates, wherein each of the exclusive OR gates has an output terminal which is coupled to a corresponding column select line, wherein the column select circuit is controlled to assert column select signals on one or more consecutive column select lines; and a row select circuit coupled to each of the row select lines, wherein the row select circuit is controlled to assert row select signals on one or more consecutive row select lines, wherein the enabling circuits that receive both a column select signal and a row select signal enable the associated reconfiguration circuits. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A field programmable gate array (FPGA) comprising:
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an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs) arranged in a plurality of rows and columns, wherein each of the CLBs includes a reconfiguration circuit for reconfiguring the CLB, and an enabling circuit for enabling the reconfiguration circuit; a plurality of column select lines, wherein each of the column select lines is coupled to each of the enabling circuits in a corresponding column of the CLBs; a plurality of row select lines, wherein each of the row select lines is coupled to each of the enabling circuits in a corresponding row of the CLBs; a column select circuit coupled to each of the column select lines, wherein the column select circuit comprises a plurality of cascaded multiplexers, wherein each of the multiplexers has an output terminal which is coupled to a corresponding column select line, wherein the column select circuit is controlled to assert column select signals on one or more consecutive column select lines; and a row select circuit coupled to each of the row select lines, wherein the row select circuit is controlled to assert row select signals on one or more consecutive row select lines, wherein the enabling circuits that receive both a column select signal and a row select signal enable the associated reconfiguration circuits. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A field programmable gate array (FPGA) comprising:
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an array of configurable logic blocks (CLBs) arranged in a plurality of rows and columns, wherein each of the CLBs includes a reconfiguration circuit for reconfiguring the CLB, and an enabling circuit for enabling the reconfiguration circuit; a plurality of column select lines, wherein each of the column select lines is coupled to each of the enabling circuits in a corresponding column of the CLBs; a plurality of row select lines, wherein each of the row select lines is coupled to each of the enabling circuits in a corresponding row of the CLBs; a column select circuit comprising a first plurality of logic gates having binary outputs, each of the logic gates having an output terminal coupled to a corresponding column select line, wherein the column select circuit is controlled to assert column select signals on one or more consecutive column select lines; and a row select circuit comprising a second plurality of logic gates having binary outputs, each of the logic gates having an output terminal coupled to a corresponding row select line, wherein the row select circuit is controlled to assert row select signals on one or more consecutive row select lines, wherein the enabling circuits that receive both a column select signal and a row select signal enable the associated reconfiguration circuits, and wherein the first plurality of logic gates comprises a plurality of cascaded exclusive OR gates. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification