Abstract: Approaches for validating a configuration bitstream used for partially reconfiguring an ingrated circuit such as a programmable logic device (PLD) are disclosed. In one approach, the integrated circuit is configured with a first configuration bitstream that includes first bit values that produce an implementation of a static part of a design on the integrated circuit. Any differences between a bit value in a second configuration bitstream and a corresponding bit value of the implementation of the static part of the design are determined. The second configuration bitstream includes second bit values that produce an implementation of a reconfigurable part of the design on the integrated circuit. A first signal state is output in response to determining that there are no differences, and a second signal state is output in response to determining that there are differences.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accessing internal registers of hardware blocks in a programmable logic device (PLD) are described. An aspect of the invention relates to a method of accessing at least one internal register of a hardware block in a PLD. The PLD is actively reconfigured with a first partial bitstream to sever first connections between input/output (IO) pins of the hardware block and a user design, and establish second connections between the IO pins and state access logic. The at least one internal register is accessed using the state access logic. The PLD is actively reconfigured with a second partial bitstream to establish third connections between the IO pins and the user design.