Introducing ReConfigME: An operating system for reconfigurable computing

Abstract

ReConfigME is a complete package to manage the dynamic reconfiguration of applications running on field programmable gate arrays. ReConfigME can also be viewed as an operating system for reconfigurable computing that handles the loading of IP cores on the FPGA platform and the dynamic arrangement and rearrangement of cores on the surface of the FPGA as the execution needs of multiple applications and multiple uses sharing the same platform evolve. ReConfigME can integrate with compilers for hardware software co-designed applications. We describe all the major components that make up the operating system and give preliminary results from the first prototype. These indicate that ReConfigME is a feasible basis for software like development of reconfigurable applications. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2002.