Reconfigurable data processor with fast argument load using a runtime program on a host processor

Abstract

Argument registers in a reconfigurable processor are loaded from a runtime program running on a host processor. The runtime program stores a configuration file in a memory. A program load controller reads the configuration file from the memory and distributes it to configurable units in in the reconfigurable processor which sequentially shift it into a shift register of the configuration data store. The runtime program stores an argument load file in the memory and a fast argument load (FAL) controller reads the argument load file from memory and distributes (value, control) tuples to the configuration units in the reconfigurable processor. The configurable units process the tuples by writing the value directly into an argument register made up of a portion of the shift register in the configuration data store specified by the control of the tuple without shifting the value through the shift register.