Hardware reconfigurability: from concept to implementation

摘要

Hardware reconfigurability is essential property of the next generation of computer architectures. We introduce and explain it. We show that reconfigurability is not a property, but a process that should be supported at all stages of design and further functioning. A novel instrument for system reconfigurability, the Syndrome, is described with application and the control of all three zones of computer architectures: active, interfacing and passive. At a lower hardware level, a special reconfiguration element - so-called T-logic is introduced and its operations explained. Using the Syndrome, we illustrate a process of control of reliability and support of graceful degradation. Applications of syndrome for reconfigurability control gaining Performance, Reliability and Energy-wise operations are discussed.