Runtime FPGA Partial Reconfiguration

Field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) are now being integrated into many space-based applications. FPGAs are being used as replacements for application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) without considering new options offered by their reprogrammable nature. Runtime partial reconfiguration can potentially reduce the number of devices or the device size, thereby reducing both size and power consumption. A system that requires either transmit or receive capabilities at any given time, but not both, can switch between the two modes in a fraction of a second using partial reconfiguration. The current approach requires that both modes be implemented simultaneously, thereby wasting power and requiring more resources. The idea of adaptively allocating limited FPGA resources is also applicable to hardware-accelerated software-defined radios. The hardware accelerators are loaded into FPGA(s) as they are needed. Partial reconfiguration allows swapping of accelerators much faster than is possible with current methods, and with less disruption to other processes running in parallel. This technology significantly reduces power consumption critical for space and portable ground-based applications of FPGA technology. A software-defined radio was designed with a reprogrammable forward error correction (FEC) block supporting multiple FEC codes to demonstrate one practical use of this technology. This paper provides an overview of the design flow necessary for partial reconfiguration and comments on the additional overhead necessary for creating such a design. In addition, limitations to this emerging technology are outlined.