Context switching systems and methods
AssigneeLattice Semiconductor Corporation
InventorsEric Sivertson, Mauri Delostrinos, Hoon Choi, Joseph Maloney, John Gordon Hands
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Abstract
Various techniques are provided to implement context switching systems and methods. In one example, a system includes a plurality of programmable logic devices (PLDs) each configured to be in an active state or an inactive state. At most one of the plurality of PLDs is in the active state to provide PLD functionality. The system further includes an instance controller configured to communicate with each of the plurality of PLDs and control context switch aspects to set each of the plurality of PLDs to the active state or the inactive state. Related methods and devices are provided.
Claims20
A system comprising:
- a plurality of programmable logic devices (PLDs) each configured to be in an active state or an inactive state, wherein at most one of the plurality of PLDs is in the active state to provide PLD functionality;
- and
- an instance controller configured to communicate with each of the plurality of PLDs and control context switch aspects to set each of the plurality of PLDs to the active state or the inactive state.
A method comprising:
- operating a first programmable logic device (PLD) of a plurality of PLDs to provide PLD functionality according to fust configuration data loaded in the first PLD, wherein the first PLD of the plurality of PLDs is in an active state and the remaining one or more PLDs of the plurality of PLDs is in an inactive state, and wherein at most one of the plurality of PLDs is in the active state to provide PLD functionality;
- and
- performing a context switch from the first PLD to a second PLD of the plurality of PLDs to set the first PLD to the inactive state and the second PLD to the active state to switch operation from the first PLD to the second PLD;
- and
- operating the second PLD after the performing to provide PLD functionality according to second configuration data loaded in the second PLD.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.