Implementation of packet-based communications in a reconfigurable hardware element

Abstract

In some embodiments, a user may select an elemental function such as read, write, or configuration from a graphical programming environment. A file may be created that instantiates functionality into a programmable hardware element to allow it to send a command across a serial protocol to peripheral interface circuitry and ultimately to peripheral chips (e.g., network chips on a CAN). The elemental node concept may be generic to any network chip because the node may contain only the general data of a packet (e.g., command type, value of data bytes, etc). The actual interface to a network chip may be handled inside the peripheral interface circuitry. The peripheral interface circuitry may have the details of the network chip in which it interfaces and may abstract details of the network chip from the target programmable hardware element through the serial protocol.