Implementing a microprocessor boot configuration prom within an FPGA
US7487344B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 3, 2006 |
| Grant date | Feb 3, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 29, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/4401
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for storing the boot configuration PROM of a microprocessor in an FPGA. The boot interface of the microprocessor, such as an I2C interface, leads to the FPGA instead of to a PROM. The boot configuration is stored as an image in the FPGA, and the microprocessor accesses the boot configuration using its normal boot interface. In this way, a dedicated boot PROM is not needed, saving real estate on the card on which the microprocessor is located. The boot configuration is also more easily modified, such as for version upgrades or diagnostics, than if the boot configuration were stored on a dedicated PROM. Different boot configurations may be stored as software images on a separate housekeeper processor, for loading into the FPGA.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.