Reconfigurable architecture

A Reconfigurable Architecture for Multi-Context Application
Manoel E. de Lima1, Remy E. Sant’Anna2, Abel G. Filho1, Abner Barros1, Paulo Guedes1, Julio A. Filho1, Raimundo Barreto1 and Claudianne Rabelo1
Abstract  A reconfigurable computer presents the facility of changing functions according to the lacks of the application. Based on reconfigurable devices, this approach can reduce costs, especially in terms of hardware implementation. The developing of platforms with reconfigurable hardware and programmable control devices, can be used in several applications as in a hardware/software codesign approach, for small and large designs. This work describes an implementation of a multicontext system in a reconfigurable environment. The platform description is presented, as well as the reconfiguration method. A biological application has been developed using the proposed platform. Satisfactory results have been reached and are described in this paper. Key words: Reconfigurable Computing, FPGA, Microcontrollers,Hardware/Software Codesign, Biological Applications. This platform allows, into a hw/sw codesign methodology the rapid prototyping of digital systems in a single or multi context approach. Chameleon’s functionality and the way a multi context design is implemented on it are presented. Particularly a biotechnology application focusing biosensors will be described in details as a case study. Such architectures and devices has been developed and applied in several areas such as image processing, digital signal processing, electronic, audio and video applications, biotechnology, and so on. In this paper, a brief description of Chameleon prototyping board architecture is presented in section 2. The proposed methodology and design flow for multicontext prototyping is covered at section 3. Section 4 describes the platform monitor program. A biological application, for monitoring a piezoelectric biosensor is presented as a case study in section 5 in order to demonstrate