Bitfile preservation - Generation of reusable out of context modules

Abstract

This paper presents the idea of bitfile preservation which enables the re-use of partial bitfiles in different environments and at different positions of the FPGA without any re-compilation. This way, the behaviour of a system can be changed on the fly just by plugging together different pre-compiled modules (represented by partial bitfiles). These modules can be developed without any knowledge of the final surrounding system. They may even be provided by third-party vendors as closed-source components. Current implementations demonstrate that it is possible to enhance the standard partial reconfiguration vendor flow in a way that enables bitfile preservation. Moreover, the already established cooperations prove that bitfile preservation is highly relevant for contemporary FPGA industry.