Dynamically Reconfigurable (Self-modifiable) Architecture for Embedded System-on-Chip Applications

摘要

Present trends in embedded system design indicates that the future world of computing will be ruled by System-on-Chip (SoC) platforms consisting of configurable components. Commercially available SoC platforms provide only limited amount of static customization of hardware. Now that SoC technology is emerging, single-chip multi processors are becoming feasible. Designing using such platforms has two drawbacks. First is the complexity of their on-chip interconnects. Second is the ambiguity regarding at what level software should be integrated. However, with increasing applications, diversity, time-varying requirements and convergence of multiple functionalities in a single embedded system, this is a growing demand for SoC that can be dynamically configured to adapt to changing requirements. In this fact, the design and implementation of a self-modifiable system is described. The reconfiguration logic and embedded application execute concurrently. Also, the data required for each reconfiguration is generated on demand. The viability of design is validated with an implementation of reconfigurable display controller. The methodology and design flow are also discussed. The developed system is currently being used to implement a reconfigurable speech codec.