Reconfigurable Communications Processor

1. Principal Investigator: Chris Papachristou Task Number: NAG3-2578 Electrical Engineering & Computer Science Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, Ohio 44106 September 17 – 19, 2002 Reconfigurable Communications Processor

2. A novel reconfigurable communications processor for high data rate agile communications Features - Reconfigurability & adaptability, - Low power, system-on-chip technology, - Real time, robust performance, - Fault tolerance, - Self-healing. Platform: autonomous sensor or unit being a typical node in space Reconfigurable Communications Processor Project Overview

3. Reconfigurable Communications Processor Concept: The Big Picture

4. Reconfigurable Communications ProcessorBackground Reconfigurability Ability of a device to change its internal structure, functionality, and behavior, either on command, or autonomously. Reconfigurability Classes Static Configuration: performed while device is off line. Dynamic Configuration: device is on-line, "on the fly". Self Reconfiguration: performed autonomously by device. Evolution type: Self Reconfiguration with adaptation such as replication and growth, "bio-inspired". ...

5. Reconfigurable Communications ProcessorEnterprise Relevance Earth Science Enterprise Configurable communication nodes employed in access networking can be very useful in Earth Science Enterprise. Specific application: Sensor Web networks. Space Science Enterprise Self Configurable communication nodes employed in proximity wireless networking are very important in Science Enerprise. Specific application: Software Radio-based communications.

6. Reconfigurable Communications Processor Impact on NASA Communications Access Networking : Static and Dynamic configuration useful process to quickly modify the behavior of processing node Proximity wireless Networking : Dynamic and Self Configuration is important for slower autonomous adaptation

7. Reconfigurable Communications Processor TechnologyAssessment Advantages over competing FPGA and DSP processors: Flexibility: ability for self-reconfiguration Granularity: ability to scale for variable bit-length operations Cost: simpler upgrading of protocols, algorithms, code schemes Fault Tolerance: ability for self repair and self healing from SEUs Low Power: efficient energy consumption through configuration

8. Reconfigurable Communications Processor Enhancements to NASA Technology CommunicationRequirements in Missions • Rapid adaptation of onboard systems to changing environments • Dynamic communications links: - self adaptable bandwidth to meet changing throughput requirements - self managing channel capacity • Passive communication to reduce power • Communication Protocol adaptation: - adapt to changing communication protocols for each situation Reconfigurable Hardware: enabling technology to meet these requirements.

9. Reconfigurable Communications Processor Sensor Web: Scenario Communication Tradeoffs Bandwidth = Buffer / Latency Data Rate, Protocol, Error Bit Rate.

10. Reconfigurable Communications Processor Approach Architecture: reconfigurable at four Layers: Layer 4: the Adaptation Manager. Layer 3: the Real-Time Operating System RTOS. Layer 2: the Embedded Processors and Memory. Layer 1: the Reconfigurable Hardware Fabric.

11. Reconfigurable Communications Processor Architecture: Non Traditional Reconfigurable

12. Reconfigurable Communications Processor Strategy Reconfiguration : Occurs at several levels: (a) Selection of application modules by the Adaptation Manager. (b) Mapping of modules into the hardware fabric or the embedded processors, depending on performance requirements. (c) Configuration of the hardware fabric and the embedded processor to meet performance and data delivery requirements. The reconfigurable hardware is essential for mapping of wireless communications algorithms such as : IR filtering, multichannel CDMA, complex encoding, advanced imaging.

13. Reconfigurable Communications Processor Self Adaptation - Dynamic Configuration

14. Reconfigurable Communications Processor Reconfigurable Fabric

15. Reconfigurable Communications Processor Reconfigurable Tile

16. Reconfigurable Communications Processor Results Architecture Mapper Software A tool inputing an algorithm flow graph and generating an architecture resource netlist Binding Configuration Software A tool inputing an architecture resource graph and generating connectivity within HW fabric Results on several benchmarks VHDL synthesis algorithms, including scheduling, resource allocation, config. mapping. Simulator of hardware Fabric VHDL models of the HW fabric,behavioral and structural models.

17. Reconfigurable Communications Processor Configuration Tools Algorithm Data Flow Synthesis tools Architecture Mapper Arch Resource Netlist Binding Configurator Connectivity Bindings

18. Reconfigurable Communications Processor Configuration Tools (Cont.) Synthesis: Data Flow transormation of the application into a resource graph. Binding: allocation of resources into configurable modules, This involves functional, local memories and interconnect modules. Configuration Core: compact description of the mapping -- in space and time Key idea: Pre-Load the configuration matrix into Double Buffered FIFOs to employ mapping.

19. Reconfigurable Communications Processor Core Switch Matrix

20. Reconfigurable Communications Processor Double Buffer Configuration Switch Cell

21. Reconfigurable Communications Processor Results on Some Benches Application Allocated Operator Size of 2 Core Memories Units Matrices Deq 5 5 (10X10) and (5X5) Bandpass Filter 9 9 (18X18) and (9X9) Cosine Filter 11 11 (22X22) and (11X11) Elliptical Filter 8 8 (16X16) and (8X8) Arfilter 9 9 (18X18) and (9X9) Wave Filter 6 6 (12X12) and (6X6) DCT 12 12 (24X24) and (12X12)

22. Reconfigurable Communications Processor Collaborations Good collaboration and synergism has been established with NASA Glenn researchers. We have also collaborative relations with industry such as CISCO, Conexant, Broadcom. These collaborations will address difficulties and optimize opportunities.

23. Reconfigurable Communications Processor Proof of Concept For proof of concept, we will employ advanced FPGA boards from Xilinx and Altera, as well as CAD tools that we have obtained from commercial vendors. We will develop an advanced prototyping environment based on these tools and software. We will implement by emulation our proposed reconfigurable hardware on these boards, without actual chip design. Emulation and prototyping is quite feasible.