Multi-grained reconfigurable datapath structures for online-adaptive reconfigurable hardware architectures

Modern application scenarios out of multimedia and mobile communication domains demand more and more performant data processing architectures, which cannot be achieved by using current DSP or microprocessor approaches. This paper describes a new multi-grained architecture approach out of the reconfigurable array field which offers a set of new features to increase the flexibility and usability of reconfigurable array architectures by increasing the performance benefit concurrently and decreasing the management effort caused by the system controller. Multi-grained support allows execution of multi-grained application as well as realization of flexible control mechanisms for control-based applications. The main focus of this publication is the introduction of the developed datapath structure where the authors discuss the concepts and features in detail.