VIRTUAL INTERCONNECTION METHOD AND APPARATUS

摘要

A prototyping system includes (i) a vector processor having an interface for communicating with a host processor and a second interface (e.g., a vector processor bus) for dispatching vectors; (ii) a number of programmable logic circuit s each coupled to the second interface to receive the dispatched vectors; and (iii) a compiler for (a) partitioning an electronic circuit into multiple partitions, assigning each partition to one of the programmable logic circuits, (b) providing multiple connections each provided for connecting signals among the partitions, (c) providing in each programmable logic circuit an interface circuit module that manages the connections among partitions using a virtual interconnection technique, and (d) assigning the physical interconnection resources, such as pins of the programmable logic circuits and physical wires on the boards. First and further assigns at least one virtual interconnection (secondary I/O) between partitions to realize the connections among partitions. The prototyping system is associated with a method for prototyping an electronic design, which includes (i) compiling an electronic design into (a) multiple partitions, each partition being compiled for implementation in a programmable logic circuit (e.g., a field programmable gate array integrated circuit), and (b) multiple connections that connect signals between the partition; and (ii) compiling into each programmable logic circuit an interface circuit module for managing the connections using a virtual interconnection technique.