Field-programmable module for interface bridging and input/output expansion

摘要

One or more specialized field programmable modules (e.g. CPLD and FPGA blocks) and their programming interface are embedded into a processing system (e.g. a CPU, GPU, APU and/or chipset). The field programmable modules are in-system programmable, in contrast to the application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) modules that perform the core functions of the processing system. The programmable flexibility of the field programmable modules can have various benefits during different stages of the integrated circuit life cycle for the processing system, such as reconfigurable interface bridging and two-way I/O expansion.

主权项

1. A method, comprising:
programming, at processing system, a field programmable module to have a programmable configuration that adjusts at least one parameter of input/output signaling of the processing system, the at least one parameter including at least one of a voltage magnitude of the input/output signaling and a polarity of the input/output signaling; communicating, at the processing system, with a peripheral device using the adjusted input/output signaling, the peripheral device selected from a group consisting of: a display interface, wireless radio, audio device interface, and a bus interface of the processing system; receiving, at the field programmable module, a request from the peripheral device to access a register of the processing system; and providing access to the register in response to determining, at the field programmable module, that the peripheral device has permission to access the register.