Abstract: A system is provided for programming a configurable semiconductor device. The system includes a programmable controlling device, a programmable computing device, a communication link, a configurable hardware device, a design tool with first computer program code, and second computer program code. The configurable hardware device has memory with a plurality of memory locations and coupled with the programmable controlling device via the communication link. The design tool includes first computer program code embodied in a programmable computing device.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for programming a programmable circuit device capable of realizing at least one sub-circuit by wiring together at least one circuit component. The programmable circuit device includes a programmable computing device, a user interface, and a design tool. The user interface is associated with the programmable computing device. The design tool is associated with the programmable computing device and is configured for interaction with a user at the user interface. The design tool includes computer program code embodied in the programmable computing device including a sub-circuit definition containing information for defining at least one of multiple configurations, topologies, and parameters of a sub-circuit of a programmable device. A method is also provided.