Abstract: A method and device for translating a program to a system including at least one first processor and a reconfigurable unit. Code portions of the program which are suitable for the reconfigurable unit are determined. The remaining code of the program is extracted and/or separated for processing by the first processor.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 20, 2002
Date of Patent:
February 2, 2010
Assignee:
Pact XPP Technologies AG
Inventors:
Martin Vorbach, Armin Nückel, Frank May, Markus Weinhardt, Joao Manuel Paiva Cardoso
Abstract: In a system including a multidimensional field of reconfigurable elements, and a method for operating said field of reconfigurable elements, one or more groups of said elements suitable for processing a predetermined task may be determined, a particular one of the one or more groups is selected, and the selected group is configured in a predetermined manner during runtime for processing the predetermined task, and in manufacturing of said system.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 23, 2003
Date of Patent:
February 2, 2010
Assignee:
Pact XPP Technologies AG
Inventors:
Martin Vorbach, Frank May, Armin Nuckel
Abstract: A general bus system is provided which combines a number of internal lines and leads them as a bundle to the terminals. The bus system control is predefined and does not require any influence by the programmer. Any number of memories, peripherals or other units can be connected to the bus system (for cascading).
Abstract: A cell element field for data processing, having function cell means for execution of algebraic and/or logic functions and memory cell means for receiving, storing and/or outputting information is described. Function cell-memory cell combinations are formed in which a control connection leads from the function cell means to the memory cell means.
Abstract: A logic cell array having a number of logic cells and a segmented bus system for logic cell communication, the bus system including different segment lines having shorter and longer segments for connecting two points in order to be able to minimize the number of bus elements traversed between separate communication start and end points.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 8, 2001
Date of Patent:
September 29, 2009
Assignee:
Pact XPP Technologies AG
Inventors:
Martin Vorbach, Frank May, Dirk Reichardt, Frank Lier, Gerd Ehlers, Armin Nückel, Volker Baumgarte, Prashant Rao, Jens Oertel
Abstract: A method and device for data processing in an integrated circuit having cells, the cells adapted for executing programs. A first program is run. In response to a waiting condition during which no program execution is able to take place, saving data from the cells to a memory. A second program, e.g., a test program, is run after the data is saved. The saved data is then reloaded into the cells after running the second program.
Abstract: At the inputs and/or outputs, memories are assigned to a reconfigurable module to achieve decoupling of internal data processing and in particular decoupling of the reconfiguration cycles from the external data streams (to/from peripherals, memories, etc.).
Abstract: Procedures and methods for managing and transmitting data within multidimensional systems of transmitters and receivers are described. Splitting a data stream into a plurality of independent branches and subsequent merging of the individual branches to form a data stream is to be performable in a simple manner, the individual data streams being recombined in the correct sequence. This method may be particularly useful for executing reentrant code. The method is well suited, in particular, for configurable architectures; particular attention is paid to the efficient control of configuration and reconfiguration.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 19, 2009
Publication date:
August 20, 2009
Applicant:
PACT XPP TECHNOLOGIES AG
Inventors:
Martin Vorbach, Volker Baumgarte, Armin Nückel, Frank May
Abstract: A reconfigurable processor (VPU) is designed for a technical environment having a standard processor (CPU) which has, for example, a DSP, RISC, CISC processor or a (micro)controller. The VPU and the CPU are coupled to form a processor-coprocessor arrangement. For the coupling, the CPU executes a program and provides, during the execution, configuration related information, in accordance with the configuration related information; a configuration load unit is instructed to load a configuration into the VPU and responsively loads the configuration into the VPU; the VPU processes data in accordance with the configuration; the CPU parallelly processes data by continuing the program execution if it can be continued without waiting for output of the VPU's data processing or, otherwise, executing a different program; and synchronization signals are transferred between the CPU and the VPU to synchronize the data processing of the VPU and CPU.
Abstract: A cascadable arithmetic and logic unit (ALU) which is configurable in function and interconnection. No decoding of commands is needed during execution of the algorithm. The ALU can be reconfigured at run time without any effect on surrounding ALUs, processing units or data streams. The volume of configuration data is very small, which has positive effects on the space required and the configuration speed. Broadcasting is supported through the internal bus systems in order to distribute large volumes of data rapidly and efficiently. The ALU is equipped with a power-saving mode to shut down power consumption completely. There is also a clock rate divider which makes it possible to operate the ALU at a slower clock rate. Special mechanisms are available for feedback on the internal states to the external controllers.
Abstract: A method for debugging reconfigurable hardware is described. According to this method, all necessary debug information is written in each configuration cycle into a memory, which is then analyzed by the debugger.
Abstract: A data processing unit having a field of clocked logic cells (PAEs) which is operable in different configuration states and a clock preselecting means for preselecting logic cell clocking. The clock preselecting means is designed in such a way that, depending on the state, a first clock is preselected at least at a first cell (PAE) and an additional clock is preselected at least at an additional cell.
Abstract: Configuration of a reconfigurable multidimensional field may include prioritizing required connections between cells, establishing connections having a high priority first, and establishing additional connections after the high priority connections have been established.
Abstract: A cell element field for data processing, having function cell means for execution of algebraic and/or logic functions and memory cell means for receiving, storing and/or outputting information is described. Function cell-memory cell combinations are formed in which a control connection leads from the function cell means to the memory cell means.
Abstract: A general bus system is provided which combines a number of internal lines and leads them as a bundle to the terminals. The bus system control is predefined and does not require any influence by the programmer. Any number of memories, peripherals or other units can be connected to the bus system (for cascading).
Abstract: Procedures and methods for managing and transmitting data within multidimensional systems of transmitters and receivers are described. Splitting a data stream into a plurality of independent branches and subsequent merging of the individual branches to form a data stream is to be performable in a simple manner, the individual data streams being recombined in the correct sequence. This method is of importance in particular for executing reentrant code. The method is well suited, in particular, for configurable architectures; particular attention is paid to the efficient control of configuration and reconfiguration.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 5, 2002
Publication date:
December 27, 2007
Applicant:
PACT XPP Technologies AG
Inventors:
Martin Vorbach, Volker Baumgarte, Armin Nuckel, Frank May
Abstract: A method for efficiently debugging a program defining a plurality of configurations to be successively processed on a dynamically reconfigurable architecture including a plurality of logic elements cooperating with each other. The method includes storing data in a memory in a configuration-conforming manner, the data generated by executing a configuration forming part of the program on the reconfigurable architecture, and including algorithmically relevant state data of the program that is associated with at least one of the configurations. The method further includes subsequently continuing execution of the program, the execution including a reconfiguration, and detecting an error based on stored state data, wherein for each state for which corresponding state data is to be stored, the state remains unchanged at least until the corresponding state data is stored.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 28, 2001
Date of Patent:
September 4, 2007
Assignee:
Pact XPP Technologies AG
Inventors:
Martin Vorbach, Frank May, Armin Nückel
Abstract: A general bus system is provided which combines a number of internal lines and leads them as a bundle to the terminals. The bus system control is predefined and does not require any influence by the programmer. Any number of memories, peripherals or other units can be connected to the bus system (for cascading).
Abstract: An expanded arithmetic and logic unit (EALU) with special extra functions is integrated into a configurable unit for performing data processing operations. The EALU is configured by a function register, which greatly reduces the volume of data required for configuration. The cell can be cascaded freely over a bus system, the EALU being decoupled from the bus system over input and output registers. The output registers are connected to the input of the EALU to permit serial operations. A bus control unit is responsible for the connection to the bus, which it connects according to the bus register. The unit is designed so that distribution of data to multiple receivers (broadcasting) is possible. A synchronization circuit controls the data exchange between multiple cells over the bus system. The EALU, the synchronization circuit, the bus control unit, and registers are designed so that a cell can be reconfigured on site independently of the cells surrounding it.
Abstract: A method for translating high-level languages to reconfigurable architectures is disclosed. The method includes building a finite automaton for calculation. The method further includes forming a combinational network of a plurality of individual functions in accordance with the structure of the finite automaton. The method further includes allocating a plurality of memories to the network for storing a plurality of operands and a plurality of results.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 28, 2001
Date of Patent:
April 24, 2007
Assignee:
PACT XPP Technologies AG
Inventors:
Frank May, Armin Nückel, Martin Vorbach