Fpga modules parameterized by expressions

Abstract

The invention provides parametric modules called Self Implementing Modules (SIMs) for use in programmable logic devices such as FPGAs. The invention further provides tools and methods for generating and using SIMs. SIMs implement themselves at the time the design is elaborated, targeting a specified FPGA according to specified parameters that may, for example, include the required timing, data width, number of taps for a FIR filter, and so forth. In one embodiment, the SIM parameters may be symbolic expressions, which may comprise strings or string expressions, logical (Boolean) expressions, or a combination of these data types. The variables in these expressions are either parameters of the SIM or parameters of the “parent” of the SIM. Parametric expressions are parsed and evaluated at the time the SIM is elaborated; i.e., at run-time, usually when the design is mapped, placed, and routed in a specific FPGA. The use of parametric expressions interpreted at elaboration time allows dynamic inheritance and synthesis of actual parameter values, rather than the static value inheritance commonly found in programming languages such as C++ and Java.