Design and Implementation of an Object-Oriented Framework for Dynamic Partial Reconfiguration

This paper focuses on the design and the implementation of a Framework combining the two technologies. Firstly, dynamical partial reconfiguration (DPR) which can change the programming paradigm in future hardware description languages (HDL) regarding dynamic instantiations. Dynamic parts would not have to be removed any longer but could be realized on the target FPGA using DPR. Secondly, a high-level language support of DPR technologies could help end its shadowy existence and turn it into a commonly used method. The object-oriented DPR Framework enables hardware developers to write reconfigurable modules without going into detail with the reconfiguration techniques. The reconfigurable modules are described in a high-level language called POF. Since POF is very similar to Java, it makes use of well-known programming constructs. This makes the handling of the whole reconfiguration process much easier and helps increase the productivity significantly.