Method, system and program product providing a configuration specification language supporting arbitrary mapping functions for configuration constructs

Abstract

A method is disclosed of associating a mapping function with a configuration construct of a digital design defined by one or more hardware description language (HDL) files. According to the method, in the HDL files, a configuration latch is specified within a design entity forming at least a portion of the digital design. In addition, a Dial is specified that defines a relationship between each of a plurality of input values and a respective one of a plurality of different output values. The HDL files also include a statement that instantiates an instance of the Dial in association with the configuration latch such that a one-to-one correspondence exists between a value contained within the configuration latch and an input value of the instance of the Dial. The HDL files further include a statement associating the Dial with a mapping function that applies a selected transformation to values read from or written to the instance of the Dial.

1 . A data processing system for creating an association between a configuration construct and a mapping function, said data processing system comprising:
 processing resources; and   data storage coupled to said processing resources and including a compiler executable by said processing resources, said compiler including:
 means for receiving one or more design intermediate files representing a digital design, said one or more design intermediate files specifying a configuration latch within said digital design and including:
 a Dial specification statement defining a relationship between each of a plurality of Dial input values of a Dial and a respective one of a plurality of different Dial output values of the Dial; 
 a Dial instantiation statement instantiating an instance of said Dial in association with said configuration latch such that a one-to-one correspondence exists between a value contained within said configuration latch and a Dial input value of said instance of said Dial; and 
 a statement associating a mapping function with the Dial such that a selected transformation is applied to values read from or written to said instance of said Dial, wherein said mapping function is one of a set of transformations consisting of a mathematical transformation, a logical transformation, a shift and generation of a pseudo-random value; and 
 
 means, responsive to receipt of said one or more design intermediate files, for creating at least one entry in a configuration database representing said association between said Dial and said mapping function. 
   
   
   
       2 . The data processing system of claim  17 , wherein said means for creating said entry comprises means for creating an indication of a storage location of a file containing said mapping function. 
   
   
       3 . A program product for creating an association between a configuration construct and a mapping function, said program product including a computer usable medium comprising:
 means for receiving one or more design intermediate files representing a digital design, said one or more design intermediate files specifying a configuration latch within a digital design and including:
 a Dial specification statement defining a relationship between each of a plurality of Dial input values of a Dial and a respective one of a plurality of different Dial output values of the Dial; 
 a Dial instantiation statement instantiating an instance of said Dial in association with said configuration latch such that a one-to-one correspondence exists between a value contained within said configuration latch and an input value of said instance of said Dial; and 
 a statement associating a mapping function with the Dial such that a selected transformation is applied to values read from or written to said instance of said Dial, wherein said transformation is one of a set of transformations consisting of a mathematical transformation, a logical transformation, a shift and generation of a pseudo-random value; and 
   means, responsive to receipt of said one or more design intermediate files, for creating at least one entry in a configuration database representing said association between said Dial and said mapping function.   
   
   
       4 . The program product of claim  27 , wherein said means for creating said entry comprises means for creating an indication of a storage location of a file containing said mapping function.