Pipeline configuration protocol and configuration unit communication

• US 20050223212A1
• Filed: 05/04/2005
• Published: 10/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Scientia Sol Mentis AG (PACT XPP Schweiz AG)
• Original Assignee: Maren Krass, Thomas Richter
• Inventors: Vorbach, Martin, Ehlers, Gerd, May, Frank, Baumgarte, Volker, Nuckel, Armin
• Granted Patent: US 8,301,872 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/100
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/7867 with reconfigurable architecture
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/3885 using a plurality of independent parallel functional units
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/3897 with adaptable data path

Abstract

An example method of controlling a data processing system having a cellular structure. The method includes transmitting a first configuration word to a first processing unit in the cellular structure. The method also includes processing data with the first processing unit in accordance with the first configuration word. The method also includes transmitting a second configuration word to the first processing unit. The method also includes transmitting a reconfiguration signal to the first unit, the reconfiguration signal indicating that the first unit should begin processing data in accordance with the second configuration word. If the first processing unit has completed processing data in accordance with the first configuration word prior to when the reconfiguration signal is received by the first processing unit, data may be processed by the first processing unit in accordance with the second configuration word. If the first processing unit has not completed processing data in accordance with the first configuration word, data may continue to be processed with the first processing unit in accordance with the first configuration word.

Claims

1. A method of operating a data processing system having a unidimensional or multidimensional configurable cell structure

wherein a flag is sent together with the configuration data, indicating that a cell will be reconfigured, in which case the cell then accepts the configuration if it has been in an unconfigured state, and otherwise rejects the configuration.

2. A method of operating a data processing system having a unidimensional or multidimensional configurable cell structure,

wherein a flag is sent together with the configuration data, indicating that a cell will be partially configured, in which case the cell then accepts the configuration if it has been in a configured state, and otherwise rejects the configuration.

3. A method of operating a data processing system having a unidimensional or multidimensional configurable cell structure,

wherein a cell is started by a certain flag.